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Concept and approach
David Wahl, playwright and performer with a passion for origin stories, asks "Are we still a little fishy?" drawing on biology, natural history and myth. Today, David Wahl is a singular figure in the theater of knowledge: he brings stage, science and society into dialogue with poetry, humor and a desire to transmit, and offers an innovative look at ecology, natural history and our relationship with the living world.
The piece interweaves meditations on evolution, references to genetics (the human embryo with webbed fingers, the similarity of body fluids to seawater), science, the visual arts (collaboration with Jean-Marie Appriou), and poetry to take the audience into "our aquatic intimacy" and reveal the oceanic depths of our humanity.
It also draws on the idea that 50% of our oxygen comes from the ocean, and on the presence of the ocean in our bodies, underlining our universal fascination with water and the sea.
Distribution and collaborations
- Director: Thomas Cloarec
- Plastic creation: Jean-Marie Appriou
- Coproductions: Océanopolis Brest, Le Quartz-Brest, MAIF Social Club, Le Tangram (Evreux), ENS Paris-Saclay, and others at national level, with partners from the scientific and artistic worlds, reflecting the cross-disciplinary nature of the piece.
Ambition of the piece
Offer a literal and philosophical "dive" into the heart of our aquatic heritage, reflect on human evolution, and rethink our fragile and vital link to the ocean, both symbolically and ecologically.
The creation aims to amaze and educate, making fundamental scientific subjects accessible through theater, in the great tradition of David Wahl's "causeries".
In short, David Wahl's L'Homme-poisson is a hybrid and erudite show, inviting us to reflect on our "inner fish", the evolutionary history of humanity and our vital and emotional relationship with the ocean.
David Wahl's play L'Homme-poisson will be performed in several French cities between October 2025 and May 2026.
Upcoming dates and main venues
- october 27 and 31, 2025: Océanopolis, Brest (coproduction with Le Quartz, Scène nationale).
- december 3 to 6, 2025âeuros¯: Palais de la Porte Dorée, Paris (Tropical Aquarium), performance December 3 at 7pm.
- november 19, 2025: Le Strapontin, Pont-Scorff (Brittany).
- january 20, 2026: Théâtre du Champ-au-Roy, Guingamp (Côtes-d'Armor).
- january 22, 2026: Le Canal, Théâtre du Pays de Redon.
- february 14, 2026: Research stage, ENS Paris-Saclay.
- march 19, 2026âeuros¯: ONYX, Théâtre de Saint-Herblain.
- april 23, 2026: L'Hexagone, Meylan (Scène nationale Arts et Sciences).
- may 23, 2026: Tangram, Scène nationale d'Évreux-Louviers, Les AntropoScènes festival.
- may 27 to 29, 2026âeuros¯: Théâtre Liberté, Châteauvallon-Liberté, Scène nationale de Toulon.
We recommend that you consult the websites of our partner theaters or David Wahl's official website for any updates to the calendar and ticketing.
