Édouard Louis: The ‘enfant terrible’ of French Literature on the Greek Stage

Abstract

In this article, we discuss the Greek stage adaptations of two works by French author Édouard Louis: The end of Eddy (National Theatre – New Creators Festival 2019) and Who killed my father (Orchestra Mikron Pragmaton 2022–23). Édouard Louis, a groundbreaking young writer who captures the pulse of contemporary dramaturgy, has already drawn the interest of prominent European directors with a range of performances being based on his work and presented in well-known theatre venues and festivals throughout the world. Apparently, the form and content of his writings function as a valuable vehicle for directors who wish to create contemporary, thought-provoking theatre. Here, we turn to the Greek adaptations of his work focusing on issues of gender, homosexuality and class and the ways these issues are tackled in the mise-en-scène. Through our analysis we aim to raise questions and provide insights regarding the trajectories of modern Greek theatre, considering the ways it reflects the current situation in Greek society as well as its position in the broader European theatrical landscape.