Writer: Léa des Garets
Director: Rute Costa
George tells of a brief period of time in the life of the French author George Sand. Sand was born Amantine Dupin in 1804 but became one of many notable nineteenth-century women who chose to wear men’s clothing in public. In 1831, she obtained the ‘transvestite permit’, required in France for women to be out in society in male apparel. That same year, she chose her pseudonym, George Sand. Sand went on to become one of the most popular authors of her era, but there was a level of scandal around her writing.
The play is set in 1839, when Sand was struggling creatively and financially. Staying in Marseilles with actress Marie Dorval, away from Parisian society, she is struggling to write despite pressure from her editor. With Dorval’s help, she finally decides to write a play, Gabriel, about a woman who was brought up thinking she was male.
The plot takes certain liberties with the life of Sand. Here she is in a relationship with Dorval, although this has never been confirmed either within her lifetime or since. But she was known for having multiple lovers after leaving her marriage in 1831. At the beginning of the play, she has recently returned from Palma de Mallorca, where she was with her on/off lover Frederic Chopin. She and Dorval take ideas, and slowly the story of Gabriel is told.
The play cleverly intertwines both their present day and the fictional tale of Gabriel. A simple change of jacket takes the lead actor and writer Léa des Garets between George and Gabriel, the echoes of Sand’s life played out in the supposed imaginary life of Gabriel. des Garets is stunning in the lead role. She gives the character an androgynous yet stylish appeal. Neither defining nor limiting Sand, she instead celebrates the individuality of her personality.
Iniki Mariano takes on the role of Maria Dorval with a gentle charisma and a huge amount of skill. Petite and feminine against the more masculine appearing Sand, Dorval is an important part of Sand’s life and creativity at this point. All male roles are played by Conor Dumbrell, who switches between the characters with the same ease as he changes the clothing to signify that change. He, too, is excellent throughout.
Directed by Ruta Costa with clever and evocative design by Delyth Evans, lighting by Marie Colohan and sound by Jamie Lu, everything in the production comes together beautifully to create a whole that, while educating on the author, leaves you wanting to find out more about her. A truly interesting and provocative show which needs to be seen and heard.
George Sand’s play Gabriel was not performed until 1991.
Runs until 7 March 2026
