The secret lives of old people

La vie secrète des vieux

Based on over a hundred interviews with people of retirement age, French Moroccan author and director Mohamed El Khatib has created a performance about the hidden emotional lives of old people.

On stage, eight women and men aged between 74 and 102 share their stories about sensuality – from their first romance in their teens to desire and sex later in life. An 80-year-old says that desire feels the same as it did in their twenties, while someone who lost their virginity in 1953 now suspects that each sexual encounter may be their last. Dark humour is prevalent in tales of love that don't always match the fragility of the body.

El Khatib is also the writer and director behind A beautiful ending (Finir en beauté), which will be performed at Det Vestnorske Teateret during this year's Festival. 

Photo: Tendance Floue

Contributors

• Mohamed El Khatib concept, creation

• Annie Boisdenghien, Micheline Boussaingault, Marriecke de Bussac, Chille Deman, Martine Devries, Jean-Pierre Dupuy, Yasmine Hadj Ali, Nicole Jourfier, Salimata Kamaté, Etienne Kretzschmar, Jacqueline Juin, Annette Sadoul, Jean Paul Sidolle alternating cast members, depending on their longevity

• Camille Nauffray dramaturgy, artistic coordination

• Fred Hocké scenography, light, artistic collaboration

• Emmanuel Manzano video

• Arnaud Leger sound

• Zacharie Dutertre surtitles

Language

Performed in French, subtitled in English