Round Table: “Pagnol the Monégasque”

A round table is organised by the Palace Archives and the Audiovisual Institute, on the theme “Pagnol the Monégasque” on Tuesday 16 April 2024, at 3 pm in Théâtre des Variétés.  The panellists will talk to the writer’s grandson, Nicolas Pagnol, present previously unseen archive documents, recordings, and personal accounts, while there will be readings and performances of theatrical scenes by the actors of the Studio de Monaco.

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Marcel Pagnol (1895-1964), who was a resident of the Principality from 1943 until the death of his daughter Estelle, at age three, in 1954.

A friend of Prince Pierre (1895-1964) and confidant of Prince Rainier III (1923-2005), Pagnol brought all his talents to the Principality. His play Jazz was first performed here in 1926, and his film Topaze premiered here in 1951. As an honorary consul of Portugal, he took part in all the major dynastic events: the 25th anniversary of the reign of Prince Louis II in 1947, his funeral, and both the accession and wedding of Prince Rainier III. A member of the Literary Council since its creation in 1950, he chaired the board of judges for the first television festival in 1961. Pagnol created his plays with amateur actors from the Studio de Monaco, and collaborated with a Monegasque publisher, Clément Pastorelly, to release his works.