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An adaptation of the French comedy “Monsieur Claude and his daughters” is currently running at Zurich’s Bernhard Theater. Pop singer Roberto Blanco plays one of the main roles. But the performance, which addresses stereotypes, leaves a bitter aftertaste for some guests.
Pop singer Roberto Blanco plays in the Swiss play “Monsieur Claude and his daughters”. The French comedy of the same name celebrates great success in cinemas in 2014. It is about a conservative couple who are overwhelmed by their sons-in-law from different cultures. The film strip attracted around 20 million viewers to the cinemas at the time.
The premiere of the adaptation in the Bernhard Theater is well attended. The Swiss theater version focuses on the characters Claude and Marie Wernli from the Engadin. Roberto Blanco slips into the role of Charles’ Ivorian father, who wants to marry Laura from Switzerland. As in the original, cultural and racial prejudices are addressed.
What happens in this play happens every day. How many families do you think have problems with daughters-in-law?
For Roberto Blanco, theater reflects society. He says about the play: «What happens in this play happens every day. How many families do you think have problems with daughters-in-law?”
Audience is divided
The comedy makes the premiere guests think. So did singer and presenter Sandra Studer: “I think what the play or the film wanted to say at the time is that we are probably all a little racist. We all have prejudices in our heads.”
Actress Fritz Bisenz thinks: “That’s what theater is for. You cry about it, you laugh about it. You think about what it does to you.”
Sometimes I didn’t know whether to laugh or not.
However, there are also people in the audience who have experienced racism first-hand. With the Bernese musician Jesse Ritch, the performance therefore causes “mixed feelings”. There are scenes in the play that remind him of his everyday life. “Sometimes I didn’t know whether to laugh or not,” said the 31-year-old. “I know from my mother that it was not easy for her when she had to tell my grandparents that she was dating a dark man. To see such a situation on stage is special,” he continues.
For the actor, 85-year-old Roberto Blanco, the following applies: “God gave us these colors, who knows why. You have to respect each other. That’s all.”