Bégrolles-en-Mauges, France – The Fontaine des auteurs theater troupe is deep into preparations for their March 2026 production of “La fin de l’abondance” (The End of Abundance), a new comedy by Jérôme Vuittenez. The production isn’t relying on a Hollywood-style set build; instead, a dedicated team of seven to five retired volunteers are meticulously crafting the set pieces by hand in a local community building.
As of , the team, led by Jean-Yves Lefort, who has been the technical reference for the group for five to six years, is focused on constructing the foundational elements of the set. They are currently working on building white cloisons – interior walls – and framing spaces for doorways. Lefort notes that starting , the team will be working daily in the Salle du Gué-Brien to meet the approaching March premiere.
The play itself centers around a comfortably well-off couple whose wealth stems from investments made by the wife’s father and inheritance of a family château. The set, designed by interior decorator Christine Gibouin under the direction of Ingrid Sautejeau, is intended to reflect this initial state of affluence. “It will be a comfortable, bourgeois interior, with a lot of furniture, skirting boards, columns,” Lefort describes. However, the set isn’t static. It’s designed to subtly evolve as the narrative unfolds, visually representing the couple’s potential decline in fortune as an unforeseen event disrupts their comfortable lives.
The design aims to showcase the couple’s wealth through its furnishings, but also to allow for visual cues of a changing situation. Lefort emphasizes that the set will be altered to show signs of upheaval and diminishing status, but without actually damaging the pieces themselves. This requires a delicate balance of design and execution, ensuring the set can communicate narrative shifts without compromising its structural integrity.
Beyond the main production, the Fontaine des auteurs are incorporating community engagement into the event. The local youth theater workshop, led by Alex Chouteau, will present a short original piece titled “Bref ! Soyons brefs” (Briefly! Let’s be brief) as a prelude to the main performance. This provides a platform for young performers and adds another layer to the theatrical experience.
The troupe is also tying the production to a charitable cause. All proceeds from the Sunday, , performance will be donated to the Beaupréau branch of France Parkinson, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease. This philanthropic element adds a meaningful dimension to the theatrical event, extending its impact beyond entertainment.
Costumes for “La fin de l’abondance” will be entirely handmade this year by the troupe’s dedicated team of seamstresses, a testament to the all-encompassing, hands-on approach of the Fontaine des auteurs. Lefort anticipates the set construction will be completed eight to ten days before the first performance.
Performances are scheduled for , , and ; and ; at 8:30 PM, and and at 3:00 PM, at the Salle du Gué-Brien in Bégrolles-en-Mauges. Tickets are priced at 8€ for adults and 4€ for children aged 7-14. Reservations can be made at the venue on and from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, or online starting via https://www.billetweb.fr/theatre-fontaine-des-auteurs1.
The Fontaine des auteurs’ production of “La fin de l’abondance” represents a significant cultural event for the community of Bégrolles-en-Mauges, showcasing local talent, supporting a charitable cause, and offering a vibrant theatrical experience built on dedication and craftsmanship.
