The Fabulous Ones: The Forgotten Discoverer
When: 12.11.2026 19:00
Where: 48.856578, 2.351828
Organizer: Admin
This fourth installment of the theatrical series Les Fabuleuses deals with the discovery of trisomy 21 by Marthe Gautier, a discovery long attributed to her colleague Jérôme Lejeune. Quickly sidelined, Gautier will tell her truth about this story only fifty years later. The INSERM Ethics Committee will side with her. The play also presents the battle for the liberalization of abortion, which Lejeune fiercely opposed.
The press talks about it
“At a time when the right to abortion is under attack, even in Europe, this documentary theater with assumed pedagogical effectiveness is welcome. You learn a lot, since Marie‑Christine Barrault proves to be a wonderful messenger.” Emmanuelle Bouchez — Télérama TT
“Julie Timmerman delivers a direction as sober as it is clear. Marie‑Christine Barrault embodies a radiant Marthe Gautier.” Mathieu Perez — Le Canard Enchaîné
“A gripping, documented, and richly instructive show. An incredible story to see at the Théâtre de la Reine Blanche.” Nathalie Simon — Le Figaro Lire l’article
“With great humanity, Marie‑Christine Barrault beautifully embodies the wounds of this woman who pursued her passion with integrity: caring for children’s hearts. A very beautiful work.” Marie‑Céline Nivière — Coups d’Œil Lire l’article
“We come away stunned by the treatment given to this woman behind a major discovery, whose work was silenced before finally being recognized with its due merit many years later, and which inspires admiration. Edifying!” Lakota Hary — Théâtre Online Lire l’article
“A dynamic and aesthetic staging, where excellent actors play multiple roles, helps make the story compelling.” Culture Tops Lire l’article
“Marthe Gautier and the discovery of trisomy 21 is an essential show that does justice to a long‑ignored scientist. The play intelligently sheds light on the mechanisms of erasing women in the history of science, the Matilda effect. A passionate creation that finally gives Marthe Gautier the place she deserves.” 20h30 lever de rideau Lire l’article
“Why go see La Découvreuse Oubliée? Of course because it’s good theatre, a finely crafted text where you’ll appreciate the peaks of tension, the graphic staging, the impeccable cast. Because a reminder of a mode of operation where men erase women (the Matilda effect) is always necessary.” Guillaume d’Azemar de Fabregues — Je n’ai qu’une vie Lire l’articleFrom her impressive age and remarkable film and theater career, Marie-Christine Barrault graces us with her sovereign and delicate presence to give Marthe Gautier the aura she deserves. Marie Plantin — Sceneweb Read the article
Marie-Christine Barrault portrays an older Marthe Gautier with astonishing interpretive power. Barrault does not play the victim; she reveals the complexity of an unconscious mechanism that goes beyond simple submission. It’s subtle. L’Autre Scène Read the article
An ordinary and exceptional story. A performance that is both instructive and moving. Eric Demey — La Terrasse Read the article
All the performers are wonderful and they embody their roles with mastery. The video projections undeniably contribute to the success of the show, as do the music, lights, set, costumes. Everything delights. This play is an absolute masterpiece. David Season — Les Chroniques d’Alceste Read the article
Eloquent, moving, captivating. With sobriety and precision, the play transforms a historical injustice into a sensitive experience, letting surface contained anger, dignity and a slow reconquest of speech. Claudine Arrazat — Critiquetheatreclau Read the article
Performers of great talent (including the immense Marie-Christine Barrault in the lead role), an inventive direction, full of discoveries all more ingenious than the last, a scenography and soundtrack of perfect precision, allow us to explore this story with infinite pleasure. Alain Girodet — Science infuse Read the article
Go see this clear and educational play. Scientific, ethical, human, it offers a reading without manichaeism, and on three levels of a discovery that finally allowed the understanding of a heavy syndrome. Éric Dotter — Sortiz Read the article
↘ Production: Reine Blanche Productions
TEXT=Élisabeth Bouchaud
DIRECTOR=Julie Timmerman
CAST=Marie-Christine Barrault + Marie Toscan + Matila Malliarakis + Mathieu Desfemmes
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR=Véronique Bret
SCENOGRAPHY=Luca Antonucci
LIGHT DESIGN=Philippe Sazerat
COSTUMES=Muriel Mellet
SOUND DESIGN=Mme Miniature
VIDEO DESIGN=Thomas Bouvet
PROPS=Olivier Defrocourt
Tags: feminism, history, theater, documentary
Source: https://www.paris.fr/evenements/les-fabuleuses-la-decouvreuse-oubliee-118453
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