Venice in the Snow

A French comedy and social satire by Gilles Dyrek. Directed by Petra Wintersteller.

Natalie and Jean-Luc are planning their wedding while renovating their old Parisian apartment. That evening they are expecting Christophe and his girlfriend Patricia - whom they have never met. Patricia has no desire to spend an evening with strangers, the two of them argue fiercely on the way there, and in a fit of anger she decides not to say a single word all night. The hosts promptly take her for a foreigner and do their best to make her feel welcome. When Patricia realises the misunderstanding, she decides to run with it: she invents a fantasy language and a homeland called Chouwenia. Christophe wants to sink through the floor in embarrassment, while Patricia revels in the absurd situation - and the evening for four unfolds nothing like anyone had planned.

Relationship comedy or social satire? Both. Plays like "Venice in the Snow" have been called therapy sessions for the entire affluent society - audiences can recognise themselves in this turbulent comedy, laugh freely, and come away with something to think about.

Director Petra Wintersteller on the play: "Venice in the Snow captivated me straight away - because it starts with a small misunderstanding and lets a gloriously large chaos grow from it. What I find particularly compelling is how finely the humour is crafted: a glance, a pause, a misheard word - and the evening takes a completely unexpected turn."