Judith, are you there?

Show and cultural actions around Judith of Brittany

This participatory and immersive artistic and cultural project, led by the company d’Après at the request of the City of Bernay in collaboration with the Museum of Arts and History of Bernay, showcases culture in the Bernay intercommunal area by focusing on the mystery of the skeleton attributed to Judith of Brittany. 

A lesser-known figure in Norman history, Judith of Brittany is the mother of Dukes Richard III and Robert the Magnificent, as well as the grandmother of William the Conqueror. She founded the Abbey of Bernay in 1013 with the dowry she received from her husband, and she is believed to have been buried there upon her death in 1017. In 1861, the discovery of a skeleton in the Abbey of Bernay led a group of scholars, assembled at the request of the mayor, to question its identity.

Using the archives and reports from this exhumation, the company d’Après creates an immersive and participatory show within the Abbey. 

The project involves residents of all ages in workshops on theater, writing, scenic design, and costume making. 

The fabrication workshops raise awareness of reuse as part of an eco-design project certified by ADEME, conducted in collaboration with the Ressourcerie of Menneval, as well as natural dyeing and textile work. Organized particularly in community centers, at CCRIL, and at Pôle Ado, these actions are also supported by guided tours of the Abbey offered by the museum. The presentations take the form of readings, theatrical and dance choral works, exhibitions, and residency showcases. The texts of the participants contribute to the final writing of the show, while some take part in the performances.

The project brings together numerous local partners, including the MJC of Bernay, the Youth Information Center, IME, CADA, CCAS of Bernay, the Media Library, and the third place Les Nouvelles Coordonnées. Special attention is paid to the accessibility of actions and performance venues.

Pitch
 On September 20, 1861, in the Abbey of Bernay, scientists, notables, and scholars investigate an ancient skeleton: does it belong to a man or a woman? Is it Judith of Brittany or someone else? Amid debates, hypotheses, and contradictory accounts, a voice from the centuries questions the perspective on the traces of the past. On stage, four actors bring to life the protagonists of this historical investigation surrounding the ghostly figure of Judith of Brittany.

Practical information: 
All audiences
Duration: 1h15
Free
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