Arlette, 1010 years old

Theatrical Narrative

“Arlette, 1010 years old” is a theatrical performance blending imagination and historical research, born from the work of medievalist Véronique Gazeau dedicated to Arlette of Falaise, mother of William the Conqueror.

Carried by Dominique Birien, author and performer, this monologue takes the form of a punk historical narrative, both free and documented, in which Arlette emerges between Robert the Magnificent and his son William to reclaim voice and presence. Directed by Jérémie Fabre, the performance is constructed as a sound and visual enigma, alternating between documentary narration and the progressive embodiment of the character. The creation relies on original music by Garz and a set designed by Solenne Musseau, contributing to an atmosphere that is both contemporary and rooted in medieval memory.

This proposal fits within a broader reflection on the writing of history and its shadowed areas.

Starting from a personal journey anchored in Normandy, where the figure of William the Conqueror asserts itself through landscapes, monuments, and heritage narratives, a question emerges about the one who remains on the margins of these grand narratives: Arlette.

Sometimes described as a mere laundress, at other times as a woman of character, she appears in the sources in fragmentary and often contradictory forms. Historical research, however, reminds us that in the 11th century, a concubine could enjoy genuine social recognition, challenging inherited representations.

Through these questions, the performance interrogates the mechanisms of transmission: who writes history, what do we choose to remember or discard, which narratives traverse the centuries and which fade away? While the conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings occupy a central place in memories, the figure of Arlette remains largely absent. The performance explores these silences, evokes uncertainties — absence of an identified grave, rarity of sources, possible erasures — and opens a space for an alternative voice.

By bringing Arlette back to life, “Arlette, 1010 years old” offers a sensitive and contemporary approach to medieval history.

At the crossroads of theater and research, it brings forth a singular voice, that of a woman situated upstream of the myth, and invites us to reconsider forgotten figures, those who, on the margins of heroic narratives, nonetheless fully participate in history.

Practical Information:
All audiences
Duration: 1 hour
Free

Following the performance, a conference titled “Between the Magnificent and the Conqueror: Arlette, quite simply” will be presented by Véronique Gazeau and Dominique Birien on Saturday, May 22 at 3 PM at the Calvados Archives.