Avignon Festival director introduces his own play to China

Stage photo of The Girl, the Devil and the Mill. [Photo by Ruan Fan/chinadaily.com.cn]

What's the difference between each version? What about the latest one?

Well, the actors and actresses are different, except for the one who plays the devil, he has been playing the devil for over 20 years. The last time the previous version was played before coming to China was at the Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe, which is a big theatre, with more performers and a bigger audience. The new version, which will be shown here in China, has less stage props and more music. Because we want it to be shown not only in theatre, but also in schools and other public places. This way it can reach a wider audience, and the play will be simpler and more essential.

Why did you insist in telling the story from an adult's perspective, rather than a child's perspective? Do you think the children will understand the play?

Because the children themselves will also be curious about some "adult's concerns", and they will also raise some very valuable questions. I don't know if you know children or not, but sometimes they will ask very earnestly some very serious questions, like what is death and things like that. Overall, I think the children can understand it.

How did the children react during the performance? Did anything interesting happen during the performances?

The play has been performed for over 150 times, and I get different feedback every time it is on. Some like it a lot while some feel completely cold towards it. But what I have in mind is that, it is firstly a piece of art, then a play. It is not created for a particular group of people.

Well, the children react quite differently to the subject of violence. But overall, the kids nowadays aren't that afraid compared to those 25 years ago. The world is changing. Specifically speaking, the children's reaction differs from their family background and their economic status, etc. For example, children from Paris and children from counties in France react differently, and children from wealthier families tend to be quieter. Children from Japan all sit tight watching the show while those from Argentina will scream and laugh. I felt some responsibility to make it well because it is the first play they've seen for a lot of the children.