First performed in June at the Théâtre du Funambule in Paris, as part of their program “New Act Festival”, the room The Windwalkers It now continues its journey and will be presented at the Avignon Festival from July 4th, at the 3T Avignon. A major milestone for this young creation by the company La Torche Bleue, founded in 2025 and supported by Le Funambule in its support of new stage writing.
A mythical quest turned theatre
Adapted from the cult novel by Alain Damasio, The Windwalkers (2004), the show plunges into a science-fantasy universe where a group of Hordiers, trained since childhood, traverses a world swept by constant winds to reach their origin: the Extreme Upstream. This quest, at once physical, philosophical and existential, questions the meaning of movement, resistance and the collective.
On stage, the adaptation focuses on the last five survivors of the 34th Horde. This dramaturgical choice tightens the narrative and accentuates its emotional weight: it is no longer just an epic, but an intimate journey through loss, exhaustion, and the will to carry on despite everything.
A stage set imbued with the wind
The strength of the performance lies above all in the total commitment of the actors (Adrien Artaud, Clara Laenen, Joséphine Maman, Killian Nobilet, Marlène Perriau, and Théotime Soufflet). Their physical presence, precision, and collective energy make tangible an element that is otherwise invisible: the wind. Baptiste de Séverac's direction opts for a minimalist stage design, which gives free rein to the body and the imagination of the spectator. This simplicity becomes a powerful aesthetic choice: everything is built through movement, breath, and the dynamics of the group.
Very quickly, the audience is swept away. The gusts of wind seem to pass through the hall, and we follow the Horde as if we were moving with them, from the beginning to the end of their journey.
Total sound immersion
Live music is one of the show's major strengths. Present throughout but never intrusive, it acts as a true dramatic engine.
Electronic textures, acoustic instruments, and soundscapes blend together to convey the central duality of the work: the violence of the wind versus human fragility. This soundscape gives the performance its internal rhythm and fully contributes to the immersive experience, sometimes even replacing the visuals themselves.
Between humor, emotion and mystery
The show manages to maintain a beautiful balance between intensity and lightness. Humor arises in the interactions between characters (particularly through the character of Caracole, portrayed by the graceful Marlène Perriau), providing much-needed respite amidst the ordeal. Emotion, meanwhile, builds gradually, especially in moments of doubt, exhaustion, or loss. Escape, mystery, tension, and poetry constantly intertwine. The audience is thus invited to leave reality behind and enter a complete adventure.
A young company that is already very well established.
Founded in 2025, the company La Torche Bleue is committed to a strong artistic approach: restoring theatre's capacity to open up new worlds. Supported by Le Funambule as part of the Nouvel Acte FestivalIt benefits from valuable support for young creatives.
The Windwalkers It is much more than an adaptation: it is a stage experience, a collective journey, a shared breath between stage and audience. You leave with the feeling of having been transported, both physically and emotionally.
A sensitive, inventive and immersive experience, not to be missed in Avignon this summer from July 4th to 25th.
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