February 2025

The Way of the World

There was the author-explorer Ella Maillart, who opened a first route. Then there was Nicolas Bouvier, who continued the adventure and in 1963, published L’Usage du Monde, the story of his journey through Eastern Europe and Central Asia, illustrated by Thierry Vernet, whom he joined along the way. Armed with a car (a Fiat 500 Topolino!), some small savings, and a typewriter, they set out to meet other peoples as well as themselves. Catherine Schaub directs this invitation to uprootedness, to the dazzle of difference, and to friendship, achieving the feat of bringing to life on a theatre stage, thanks to a superb performance by Samuel Labarthe, a vast and luminous inner journey. Following its success in 2023 at Théâtre de Carouge, enjoy another opportunity to share this magnificent adventure!

By Nicolas Bouvier
Directed by Catherine Schaub
Based on an original idea by Samuel Labarthe

From 4 February
To 23 February 2025

Duration 1h15
Small Room
From 12 years old

Schedules
Tuesday – Friday 8 pm
Saturday – Sunday 5.30 pm

Subtitles in english and french on 8 February 2025

Tickets ▶︎

Distribution et Credits

With Samuel Labarthe
Adaptation Anne Rotenberg, Gérald Stehr and Samuel Labarthe
Scenography Delphine Brouard
Lights Thierry Morin
Video Mathias Delfau assisté d’Allan Hove
Adaptation video Christophe Touche
Sound Aldo Gilbert
Voice of Thierry Vernet : Alexandre Labarthe

Coproductions 42 Production, Théâtre de Carouge
Correalisation Théâtre de Poche-Montparnasse Paris
Support de la Ville de Genève
Le spectacle bénéficie de l’aide de l’Adami déclencheur
Greetings to the Bibliothèque de Genève and Mrs Barbara Prout, archivist for documents and sound archives; Mrs Pascale Pahud, archivist and head of the Nicolas Bouvier collection, Photo Elysée in Lausanne; the heirs of Nicolas Bouvier, Messrs Thomas and Manuel Bouvier, Chairman of the Committee of the Société de Lecture de Genève; the heirs of Thierry Vernet and Floristella Stephani; Mrs Delphine de Candolle, cultural director of the Société de Lecture de Genève.
Photo credits Succession Nicolas Bouvier and Photo Elysée Lausanne, Succession Ella Maillart and Photo Elysée Lausanne

Created on 5 January 2023 at Théâtre de Poche-Montparnasse in Paris

Subtitles

On February 8, the Theatre offers a performance 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 10h14h
> 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
Based on an original idea by Samuel Labarthe

From 4 February
To 23 February 2025

Duration 1h15
Small Room
From 12 years old

Schedules
Tuesday – Friday 8 pm
Saturday – Sunday 5.30 pm

Subtitles in english and french on 8 February 2025

Tickets ▶︎