The Way of the World

On the heels of author-explorer Ella Maillart, Nicolas Bouvier published in 1963 The Way of the World, an account of his expedition across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, illustrated by Thierry Vernet, who joined him en route. Equipped with a car (a Fiat 500 Topolino!), a modest amount of savings and a typewriter, he sets off to encounter the Other as much as himself. Catherine Schaub invites us to uproot ourselves, to allow ourselves to be dazzled by difference and kinship in bringing to life an enlightening journey that is as far-flung as it is internal, sublimely performed by Samuel Labarthe.

By Nicolas Bouvier
Directed by Catherine Schaub

From 29 November 2023
To 26 January 2024

Duration 1h15
Small auditorium
Age 12+

Performance times
Tuesday – Friday at 8pm
Saturday – Sunday at 5.30pm
No performances from 23 December 2023 to 8 January 2024
Additional performances on Saturdays, December 2, 16 and January 13 at 8 p.m.

Subtitles on tablet in English and French on 5 and 9 December 2023, and 10 January 2024
Audiodescription on 21 January 2024

Tickets ▶︎

Cast & Crew

With Samuel Labarthe
Directed by Catherine Schaub
Adapted by Anne Rotenberg, Gérald Stehr and Samuel Labarthe
Set design Delphine Brouard
Lighting Thierry Morin
Video Mathias Delfau assisted by Allan Hove
Video adaptation Christophe Touche
Sound design Aldo Gilbert
Voice of Thierry Vernet Alexandre Labarthe
Photo credits Succession Nicolas Bouvier and Photo Elysée, Lausanne, Succession Ella Maillart and Photo Elysée, Lausanne

Technique team from Théâtre de Carouge
Stage management William Fournier and then Ian Durrer
Costumes Cécile Vercaemer-Ingles
Installation Adrien Grandjean (apprentice techniscenist), Sébastien Graz, Noa Martin Chave (technical trainee), Olivier Savet
And all the team from Théâtre de Carouge

Co-produced by 42 Production, Théâtre de Carouge
Co-created by Théâtre de Poche-Montparnasse

Supported by the City of Geneva
This show is supported by funding from the Adami funding project
Premiered 5 January 2023 at Théâtre de Poche-Montparnasse, Paris

Thanks to the Bibliothèque de Genève and Barbara Prout, archivist for the documents and sound archives; Pascale Pahud, archivist and head of the Nicolas Bouvier collection, Photo Elysée, Lausanne; Nicolas Bouvier’s heirs, Thomas and Manuel Bouvier, Chairman of the Committee of the Société de Lecture de Genève; Thierry Vernet and Floristella Stephani’s heirs; Delphine de Candolle, cultural director of the Société de Lecture de Genève.

Subtitles

Subtitles only on tablet

On December 5 and 9, and January 6, the Théâtre is offering performances with subtitles in French and English.

Subtitles are available on tablets on loan free of charge.

They’re very easy to use, and you can read the surtitles from any seat in the theater.

How to reserve a tablet:

> Reserve your seat for a performance with surtitles.
> When you make your reservation, tell the box office that you need a tablet.
By e-mail: billetterie@theatredecarouge.ch
By phone: +41 22 343 43 43
On site: Rue Ancienne 37 A, Carouge
Tuesday to Friday 12h-18h
Saturday 10h-14h
> 30 minutes before the show, ask for the tablet at the reception desk, in exchange for your ID.
> After the show, return the tablet to reception and collect your ID.

By Nicolas Bouvier
Directed by Catherine Schaub

From 29 November 2023
To 26 January 2024

Duration 1h15
Small auditorium
Age 12+

Tickets ▶︎