William Mesguich's one-man show blends football, theater, and paternal homage
William Mesguich, son of renowned stage director Daniel Mesguich, presents a one-man show titled "Être ou ne pas être" that intertwines his twin passions for football and theater. Growing up in a theater-centric family, young William aspired to be Maradona, preferring football over Shakespeare. A severe double leg fracture at 17 ended his football dreams, leading him to theater. He trained with Pierre Debauche in Périgord, performed at the Festival d'Avignon, and embarked on a walking tour across France to bring theater to rural areas, echoing Molière. The show features rapid costume changes and accents, invoking specters of Beckett, Marivaux, Shakespeare, Molière, Descartes, and Pascal. The climax involves his father offering him the role of Hamlet, exploring their relationship through infinite mirrors of myth and family. The performance is noted for its sincerity, humor, and virtuosity.
Key facts
- William Mesguich's one-man show is titled 'Être ou ne pas être'.
- The show explores his dual passions for football and theater.
- His father is famous stage director Daniel Mesguich.
- At 13, William declared 'I will be Maradona or nothing'.
- A double fracture of tibia and fibula at 17 ended his football career.
- He studied theater with Pierre Debauche in Périgord.
- He performed at the Festival d'Avignon.
- He walked across France to bring theater to rural areas, like Molière.
- The show invokes specters of Beckett, Marivaux, Shakespeare, Molière, Descartes, and Pascal.
- His father Daniel offered him the role of Hamlet.
- The performance uses rapid costume and accent changes.
- The show is described as sincere, humorous, and virtuosic.
Entities
Artists
- William Mesguich
- Daniel Mesguich
- Pierre Debauche
- Maradona
- Shakespeare
- Molière
- Beckett
- Marivaux
- Descartes
- Pascal
Institutions
- Festival d'Avignon
- Théâtre du Globe
- Parc des Princes
- PSG
Locations
- Paris
- 19th arrondissement of Paris
- Périgord
- Avignon
- France