France's Grenfell moment was a turning point for Marseille, bringing to the surface long-standing issues of urban inequality and social deprivation. Eight people lost their lives in the devastating collapse of two dilapidated houses on the Rue d'Aubagne in November 2018, prompting an outpouring of grief and outrage across the nation.
Playwright and director Mathilde Aurier is behind the powerful new play "65 Rue d'Aubagne", a dramatic exploration of one woman's experience of trauma. The production has been hailed as a cathartic response to the tragedy, with its fragmented narrative reflecting the chaos and confusion that followed. Speaking about her work, Aurier describes it as a response to the idea of catastrophe, a concept she has drawn inspiration from the outsider British playwright Howard Barker.
Aurier's research for the play took eight months, during which time she spoke to numerous survivors and those affected by the disaster. Her approach was heavily documented, but also infused with her own sensibility, incorporating lyrical reveries and surreal touches that reflect the trauma of the event.
At its core, "65 Rue d'Aubagne" is a story about memory and the struggle to give meaning to catastrophic events. The play's protagonist, Nina, reflects on her experiences in ways both deeply personal and universally relatable, highlighting the impact that such disasters can have on individuals and communities.
While "65 Rue d'Aubagne" has been praised for its raw emotion and powerful storytelling, it also raises important questions about accountability and justice. Aurier notes that despite public outcry, the court trial that followed saw light prison terms and weak fines meted out to those responsible – a sobering reminder of the ongoing struggle to address systemic inequalities.
As the city of Marseille continues to grapple with issues of housing and social deprivation, "65 Rue d'Aubagne" remains a timely and powerful response. The play is currently playing at Théatre de la Criée in Marseille until January 18th, offering a profound exploration of one moment's catastrophe that echoes far beyond its own boundaries.
In development is a TV series expansion of the play's story, set to explore the aftermath of the disaster and the ongoing struggles for justice. As the city moves forward under new leadership, "65 Rue d'Aubagne" stands as a testament to the power of art in bearing witness to trauma and advocating for change – a work that Aurier describes herself as having been written until the end.
Playwright and director Mathilde Aurier is behind the powerful new play "65 Rue d'Aubagne", a dramatic exploration of one woman's experience of trauma. The production has been hailed as a cathartic response to the tragedy, with its fragmented narrative reflecting the chaos and confusion that followed. Speaking about her work, Aurier describes it as a response to the idea of catastrophe, a concept she has drawn inspiration from the outsider British playwright Howard Barker.
Aurier's research for the play took eight months, during which time she spoke to numerous survivors and those affected by the disaster. Her approach was heavily documented, but also infused with her own sensibility, incorporating lyrical reveries and surreal touches that reflect the trauma of the event.
At its core, "65 Rue d'Aubagne" is a story about memory and the struggle to give meaning to catastrophic events. The play's protagonist, Nina, reflects on her experiences in ways both deeply personal and universally relatable, highlighting the impact that such disasters can have on individuals and communities.
While "65 Rue d'Aubagne" has been praised for its raw emotion and powerful storytelling, it also raises important questions about accountability and justice. Aurier notes that despite public outcry, the court trial that followed saw light prison terms and weak fines meted out to those responsible – a sobering reminder of the ongoing struggle to address systemic inequalities.
As the city of Marseille continues to grapple with issues of housing and social deprivation, "65 Rue d'Aubagne" remains a timely and powerful response. The play is currently playing at Théatre de la Criée in Marseille until January 18th, offering a profound exploration of one moment's catastrophe that echoes far beyond its own boundaries.
In development is a TV series expansion of the play's story, set to explore the aftermath of the disaster and the ongoing struggles for justice. As the city moves forward under new leadership, "65 Rue d'Aubagne" stands as a testament to the power of art in bearing witness to trauma and advocating for change – a work that Aurier describes herself as having been written until the end.
. The fact that they had to do an 8-month research project just to make a show about it is pretty telling - I mean, what took them so long? And with a playwright like Aurier at the helm, I'm guessing this play is more about her own feelings of guilt and survivor's remorse than actual justice. Still, I guess it's better than nothing... and hey, who knows, maybe it'll actually spark some change 
.
. Still, at least it's something, right?
8 people lost their lives in this tragedy & the playwright, Mathilde Aurier, did an incredible job of capturing the chaos & confusion that followed. the fact that the court trial didn't deliver justice is just heartbreaking 
i think this play is a must-see for anyone who cares about social inequality & systemic injustices. it's so important to amplify the voices of survivors like Nina, the protagonist, who's trying to make sense of her trauma in ways both deeply personal & universally relatable 
it's raising awareness about accountability & justice, and inspiring people to take action. i'm so grateful for playwrights like Aurier who are using their platforms to bear witness to trauma & advocate for change 
feels like the city of Marseille needs a wake-up call, but at least art is speaking truth to power in some small way 
would love to see the TV series expansion, think its a great opportunity for France to tackle these issues head-on
. I think this play "65 Rue d'Aubagne" is a really important response to all that trauma and stuff... it's so raw and emotional, you can feel the pain and the struggle in every scene 
. but at the same time, it's also like... what about accountability? shouldn't there be more justice for those responsible?