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La Faiseuse d'anges" goes on European tour
Published on 16 April 2025
In La Faiseuse d'anges, Nathalie Hounvo Yèkpè tackles the painful subject of clandestine abortion and looks at the lack of communication in all spheres of our society. Supported by the French Institute's Des Mots à la scène scheme, which promotes contemporary French-language playwriting, the play is currently on tour in Europe.
A talented artist from Benin
Actor, director and author from Benin, Nathalie Hounvo Yèkpè studied at the École internationale de théâtre du Bénin (EITB), where she obtained a professional degree in theater techniques. As an actress, she has collaborated with numerous directors and written short stories, plays and series for television. At the same time, she directs plays such as Certifié Sincère, by Florent Couao-Zotti or L'œuf et la poule, by Catherine Verlaguet. She is also president of the Baani association, where she trains young artists in acting and improvisation techniques.
A heartbreaking drama
In La Faiseuse d'anges, a couple quarrel over the disappearance of their only daughter. In the throes of anguish, each of them blames the other, blaming each other and arguing heatedly. Behind this heated exchange lurks another tragedy, that of their child, who, pregnant after being abused by her maternal uncle, resorts to clandestine abortion as the spiral of tragedy goes on and on.
A social issue
La Faiseuse d'anges revisits the law authorizing abortion in Benin. Since 2021, a woman can now legally request the voluntary interruption of pregnancy within twelve weeks of amenorrhea. This decision was opposed by the Catholic Church and the Bishops' Conference, which campaigned against its introduction. With this play, Nathalie Hounvo Yèkpè takes on a social issue, which she treats in a raw and powerful way, to which she adds the question of parental responsibility or lack of communication.
Aided by the Des Mots à la scène scheme
To create La Faiseuse d'anges, Nathalie Hounvo Yèkpè benefited from the Texte en scène scheme run by the Centre Culturel de Rencontre international John Smith in Ouidah, with support from playwright Ronan Chéneau. Directed by Cybelline de Souza in Benin, the play is also touring Europe under the Des Mots à la scène scheme. This initiative is designed to support and promote contemporary French-language playwriting. This production fund aims to highlight authors and works that are often overlooked or rarely performed, by facilitating the creation of new stagings.
From words to stage" program
Des Mots à la Scène is an initiative designed to support and promote contemporary French-language dramatic writing.
This production fund aims to bring to light authors and works that are often overlooked or rarely performed, by facilitating the creation of new stagings.
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