Shows at the Zénith in Château-d’Œx

<h3><strong>Frère(s), l’étoffe d’un chef</strong></h3> <p><strong>Date and time</strong></p> <p>Friday 11 September 2026 at 8.30 pm</p> <p><strong>About the show</strong></p> <p>Maxime and Émile are 15 when they meet while training to become chefs. One is nervous and comes from the suburbs, while the other is more reserved and from a wealthier background. They could hardly be more different, yet an immediate friendship develops between them.</p> <p>The audience follows their journey over twenty years, from their first experiences as apprentices to the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants, with roadside establishments along the way. In a world driven by pressure, ambition and the constant pursuit of excellence, their friendship grows, changes and is tested by the choices each of them makes.</p> <p>Written and directed by Clément Marchand, the play is performed by Jean-Baptiste Guinchard and Guillaume Tagnati. Dance, lighting and a versatile set accompany a fast-paced story inspired by the intensity of a busy kitchen service. <em>Frère(s), l’étoffe d’un chef</em> is as much about friendship, rivalry, dreams and the passing of time as it is about the demanding world of gastronomy.</p> <h3><strong>Paisible retraite</strong></h3> </p> <p>Friday 2 October 2026 at 8.30 pm</p> <p><strong>About the show</strong></p> <p>Nicole is a strong-willed woman in her seventies. When she is placed in a retirement home against her wishes, her new surroundings are a far cry from the peaceful life she had imagined in her own little flat. And the food on offer does little to improve her mood.</p> <p>Then she meets an endlessly optimistic carer determined to make her stay more enjoyable. Bad moods, amusing situations and lively exchanges initially set the tone as these two very different personalities collide. Gradually, however, they begin to understand one another.</p> <p>Written by Peter Dervillez and directed by Philippe Elno, <em>Paisible retraite</em> brings Evelyne Cervera and Peter Dervillez together on stage. Beneath the comedy lies a touching story about ageing, loneliness, change and the need for human connection. Warm and humorous, the play shows how an unexpected encounter can transform everyday life.</p> <h3><strong>Emma</strong></h3> </p> <p>Friday 30 October 2026 at 8.30 pm</p> <p><strong>About the show</strong></p> <p>David Bowie or Gustave Flaubert? At 17, Emma has already made up her mind. When faced with <em>Madame Bovary</em>, a novel she considers hopelessly old-fashioned, the rebellious teenager does not hide her feelings. Yet behind her confrontation with a literary classic lies a much broader reflection on life, dreams and disappointment.</p> <p>Inspired by Flaubert’s novel, <em>Emma</em> is a one-woman show written and directed by Dominique Bréda. Julie Duroisin takes the audience through four stages of life, from the innocence of childhood and the turbulence of adolescence to adulthood and old age.</p> <p>Alone on stage, the actress moves energetically between different characters and stages of life. Humour, rebellion and more poignant moments combine to create the portrait of a contemporary woman. The result is an original way to rediscover the world of <em>Madame Bovary</em> while reflecting on our own dreams, expectations and the passing of time.</p> <h3><strong>Merci pour le couteau à poisson…</strong></h3> </p> <p>Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November 2026 at 8.30 pm</p> <p><strong>About the show</strong></p> <p>Brigitte Rosset opens the door to her memories and takes the audience on a deeply personal journey filled with humour, tenderness and nostalgia. After her father’s death, rediscovered family objects and writings bring back memories, familiar faces and the small rituals that shaped her childhood.</p> <p>In <em>Merci pour le couteau à poisson, les conversations et les délices au jambon</em>, the comedian and actress retraces her family story and pays tribute to those closest to her, particularly her maternal grandfather. Intimate anecdotes gradually become something universal, evoking shared meals, family habits, conversations and all those things passed from one generation to the next, often without us even noticing.</p> <p>Directed by Christian Scheidt, this one-woman show explores family ties, memory and heritage with sensitivity. Moving effortlessly between laughter and more intimate moments, Brigitte Rosset offers a warm and generous performance that celebrates the people, stories and memories that help shape who we are.</p>