La Langue de Molière

“On parle la langue de Molière” – “We speak Molière’s language”, that is a widespread, popular dictum in Ivory Coast. Molière’s language signifies the influence of French colonisation; perfectly enunciated French is a byword for education, success, and power. Yet Molière expressly opposed social hierarchies and specifically targeted the Higher Estates. Transnational ensemble La Fleur now adapts Molière’s ballet comedy “The Bourgeois Gentleman” that mocks the advancement desires of the citizen, exploring its transferability onto (post)colonial situations. Long since have there been countermovements against the uncritical acceptance of French culture, values, and norms in Ivory Coast: Since the 1970’s, many Ivorians have been speaking “nouchi”, a hybrid language comprised of French, endemic languages as well as new slang expressions, accompanied by gestures and dance. With their own choreographies, the performers transform the change from acted scenes and ballet intermissions of the original into their proprietary stage language. They aim for the potential of art to rid themselves of the bane of cultural adaptation with liberating ridicule.