Eric Emmanuel-Scmitt in “A Sunday in the Country” Screenshot
The playwright and novelist was Frédéric Lopez’s guest on the Sunday show on September 15. The opportunity for him to return to his passion for theater but also a dark period in adolescence.
This Sunday, September 15, Frédéric Lopez received, in his show “Un dimanche à la campagne” broadcast on France 2, the singer Santa from the group Hyphen-Hyphen, the actor Arnaud Ducret and also Éric Emmanuel-Schmitt. An immensely famous playwright, the 64-year-old man is part of the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature but also of the prestigious Académie Goncourt. And if he tasted international success for the first time thirty years ago with his play The VisitorÉric Emmanuel-Scmitt developed a passion for classic works from his childhood.
It was after attending his first play, Cyrano de Bergeracwith his mother, that he realizes that he wants to become a writer. “I want to be the man who makes everyone cry […] I want to do Edmond Rostand“he recalls. So, at the age of 16, he suggested to his drama club that they put on a play from A to Z in a week all by themselves. His teacher, won over, agreed to perform the play with her class. And she wasn’t the only one to be in awe of this performance. The young boy’s father, usually modest, admitted to him that he was “mad with admiration in front of [lui]which he had adored”.
Also read: “A Sunday in the Countryside”: who are Frédéric Lopez’s guests this Sunday, September 15?
Despite discovering his vocation very early on, Éric Emmanuel-Schmitt would very quickly experience a difficult time. “I think I’m having the only depression of my life, a teenage depression. There’s this body that’s growing. […] And then above all the mourning of the infinite possibilities that there were in childhood. When I was little, I thought that I would be an archaeologist, a musician, a conductor, a prince of England, an aviator, everything. And then all of a sudden, life shrinks. We realize that we are in a section that means that we are going to do this or that job.deplores the man who, despite everything, knew how to wear many hats, becoming a playwright, short story writer, novelist, director and actor.
“Four and a half minutes and I come back to life”
Eric Emmanuel-Scmitt
He goes on to confide the feeling that inhabited him at the age of 16. “Like many teenagers, I dreamed of running away”he explains. Only his outcome is much darker than for most young people. “For me, it was the radical solution. I was really planning my death. I really had that moment.” None of his loved ones have heard of this malaise at this time. “I don’t know if it’s pride or self-hatred. […] It isolates even more.”
It is finally once again thanks to live performance that the teenager chases away his dark thoughts. His music teacher takes him to the Lyon opera to follow the rehearsals of the Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. “There’s a fat lady who comes on stage. She’s ugly… And she starts singing. Four and a half minutes, and I come back to life. I tell myself that if there are things that beautiful, I’ll stay.”he explains with emotion before concluding: “Healing through beauty. It gives us reasons to be here.”
What inspired Eric Emmanuel-Schmitt’s passion for theater during his childhood?
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Eric Emmanuel-Schmitt Opens Up About His Passion for Theater and Dark Period in Adolescence on “A Sunday in the Country”
Renowned playwright and novelist Eric Emmanuel-Schmitt was the guest of honor on Frédéric Lopez’s popular Sunday show “Un dimanche à la campagne” on France 2, where he delved into his passion for theater and shared a introspective look into his teenage years.
The 64-year-old literary giant, who is part of the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature and the prestigious Académie Goncourt, has had an illustrious career spanning over three decades, with his play “The Visitor” catapulting him to international success. However, his love affair with theater began much earlier, in his childhood.
From Cyrano de Bergerac to Edmond Rostand: A Childhood Passion
Emmanuel-Schmitt’s journey into the world of theater began when his mother took him to see a performance of “Cyrano de Bergerac”. This experience had a profound impact on him, and he knew then that he wanted to become a writer. ”I want to be the man who makes everyone cry… I want to do Edmond Rostand,” he recalls.
At just 16, he took the initiative to propose a play to his drama club, suggesting they put on a production from scratch in just a week. His teacher was impressed, and his father, usually modest, admitted to being “mad with admiration” for his son’s efforts.
Teenage Depression and the Mourning of Infinite Possibilities
Despite discovering his calling at a young age, Emmanuel-Schmitt’s teenage years were marked by a dark period of depression. “I think I’m having the only depression of my life, a teenage depression,” he confessed. He felt his body growing and changing, and the possibilities that seemed endless in childhood began to shrink. The realization that he had to choose a particular path in life was overwhelming.
The playwright’s words are a poignant reflection of the angst and uncertainty that many teenagers face. “When I was little, I thought I would be an archaeologist, a musician, a conductor, a prince of England,
What inspired Éric Emmanuel-Schmitt to become a playwright and novelist?
Eric Emmanuel-Schmitt: A Passionate Playwright and Novelist Opens Up on “A Sunday in the Country”
French playwright and novelist Éric Emmanuel-Schmitt recently appeared as a guest on Frédéric Lopez’s popular Sunday show, “Un dimanche à la campagne,” broadcast on France 2. During the episode, which aired on September 15, Emmanuel-Schmitt reflected on his passion for theater, shared his childhood experiences, and opened up about a dark period in his adolescence.
A Passion for Classic Works
Emmanuel-Schmitt, 64, is a renowned playwright and novelist, and a member of the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature and the prestigious Académie Goncourt. His success story began thirty years ago with his play “The Visitor,” which gained international recognition. However, his love for classic works dates back to his childhood. After attending his first play, “Cyrano de Bergerac,” with his mother, Emmanuel-Schmitt realized he wanted to become a writer. “I want to be the man who makes everyone cry… I want to do Edmond Rostand,” he recalled.
Early Beginnings and Childhood Dreams
At the age of 16, Emmanuel-Schmitt approached his drama club with a bold proposal – to stage a play from scratch in just a week. His teacher was impressed and agreed to perform the play with the class. The young boy’s father, usually modest, was “mad with admiration” for his son’s achievement. This early success fueled Emmanuel-Schmitt’s passion for theater, and he went on to wear many hats, becoming a playwright, short story writer, novelist, director, and actor.
Overcoming Teenage Depression
Despite discovering his vocation early on, Emmanuel-Schmitt faced a challenging period in his adolescence. He experienced depression, which he attributed to the loss of infinite possibilities that existed in childhood. “I think I’m having the only depression of my life, a teenage depression. There’s this body that’s growing… And then above all the mourning of the infinite possibilities that there were in childhood,” he explained. This difficult period, however, did not deter him from pursuing his dreams.
A Successful Career and Legacy
Emmanuel-Schmitt’s appearance on “A Sunday in the Country” served as a reminder of his remarkable career, which spans multiple genres and formats. He has written numerous plays, novels, and short stories, and has directed and acted in various productions. His work continues to inspire audiences, both in France and internationally.
Éric Emmanuel-Schmitt’s interview on “A Sunday in the Country” offered a rare glimpse into the life of a passionate and accomplished playwright and novelist. His story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of following one’s dreams, even in the face of adversity.
Keywords: Éric Emmanuel-Schmitt, A Sunday in the Country, Frédéric Lopez, France 2, playwright, novelist, theater, classic works, Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand, teenage depression, Académie Goncourt, Royal Academy of French Language and Literature.
