The French science fiction novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has long been a part of the cultural fabric of France, even referenced during the recent Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The members of renowned theatre company Comédie-Française share their country's passion for the Jules Verne novel, and have ingeniously transformed the tale into a spectacular play with puppetry and black-light theatre techniques. Despite a lack of water on stage, audience members will still feel as though they are travelling deep under the sea during this oceanic fantasy.
Verne's masterpiece, first published in 1870, was first brought to the stage by Comédie-Française in 2015, helmed by visionary Comédie-Française Director Christian Hecq along with Valérie Lesort. It tells the tale of a marine biologist, his loyal servant and a daring whaler who are swept into the sea, only to be rescued by the enigmatic Captain Nemo aboard the submarine the Nautilus. After first mistaking the submarine for monstrous sea creature, they embark on a thrilling underwater odyssey.
Set entirely within the submarine, the play invites viewers to peer through expansive cabin windows into the mysterious ocean depths, encountering colossal squid, shimmering jellyfish and menacing anglerfish. These wonderous sea creatures are the stars of the show, bursting onto the stage, floating elegantly through the water and sometimes launching attacks on the submarine.
Director Lesort has explained that there is a lot of magic happening behind the scenes with the puppetry. The actors not only perform on stage but also go backstage to manipulate the puppets. The puppets are brought to life by actors on stage who are clad in black outfits and gloves. They skilfully manipulate the puppets, creating bizarre half-human, half-puppet figures, all while maintaining meticulous control over their movements. "Costume changes and puppet changes are done in a few seconds in complete darkness. This involves a great team effort by the technicians and dressmakers."
To create the illusion of fish gliding through water, the production decided against using projections and instead utilised the enchanting effects of black-light theatre. This creates a magical dance of light and shadow in which the puppeteers remain hidden, ensuring that the fantasy isn't disrupted by any human forms. And it's all made possible by precise lighting of the highest artistic order.
Director Hecq's lifelong fascination with puppetry is on full display throughout 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. "How far can we push our limits in the expression of movement? This research has always interested me," he says. Puppets, he believes, act as extensions of the actors' bodies, unlocking movements that are beyond the capabilities of humans. And the curious, darting movements of the fish required the actors to unleash their full creativity.
During rehearsals, actors quickly imbued each fish with a unique personality, overcoming any initial discomfort with performing in the dark. "I wanted to combine the puppets with really incarnated characters. In this show, everyone belongs to a very distinct universe: that of men and that of animals."
Comédie-Française's groundbreaking production earned the team the prestigious Molière award for Best Visual and Sound Design. And now, the troupe has been commissioned by the Hong Kong Arts Festival to team up with a creative team from Mainland China. They will debut a unique Putonghua version of the play, featuring Mainland actors, at the Hong Kong Arts Festival in 2025.
(This article contains excerpts from an interview conducted in 2015 with Chantal Hurault, Head of Communications and Publications at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier, compiled by the Hong Kong Arts Festival editorial department)
Jockey Club East-meets-West Series: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Date:Mar 20-23 2025
Venue:Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre, WestK