Theatre: The Trial of a Life

A women’s struggle. The fate of a lawyer. A trial that made history.
A remarkable production by Barbara Lamballais and Karina Testa that recounts the famous Bobigny Trial and the struggle of Attorney Gisèle Halimi.

By Barbara Lamballais & Karine Testa / Marilu Production

3 Molière Awards 2026: Best Private Theater Production, Best Francophone Playwrights for Karine Testa and Barbara Lamballais, Best Supporting Actress for Jeanne Arènes.

A women’s struggle. The fate of a lawyer. A trial for the history books.

Summer 1971: Marie-Claire, 16, becomes pregnant. Although it is a crime punishable by law, she does not want to keep the child. She wants an abortion. In solidarity, her mother, Michèle, followed by Lucette, Renée, and Micheline, do everything in their power to help her. But the clandestine abortion goes wrong… Fall 1972: All these women find themselves charged. A certain attorney, Gisèle Halimi, will lead this trial—the Bobigny Trial. Their courage shaped the course of history.

“This trial is brought to life through a performance that is at once joyful and serious, committed and uplifting. (…) Lively, rhythmic, and funny—far from a didactic play—the production navigates major historical events through the lens of personal stories. (…) The audience rises to its feet, shouting ‘Bravo!’” – ELLE “Barbara Lamballais and Karina Testa take on the Bobigny Trial and present a delightfully vivid, deeply moving play. (…) We discover the stories of these six women, portrayed by six admirable actresses (…). ” – La Terrasse

By Barbara Lamballais and Karina Testa
Freely inspired by the life of Gisèle Halimi and *The Bobigny Trial: Taking Up the Cause of Women* (© Éditions Gallimard) / Directed by: Barbara Lamballais / Assistant Director: Armance Galpin / Cast: Jeanne Arènes, Clotilde Daniault, Maud Forget, Déborah Grall, Karina Testa, Céline Toutain, Julien Urrutia / Set Design: Antoine Milian / Lighting: Rémi Saintot / Sound: Benjamin Ribolet / Costumes: Marion Rebmann / Wig Designer: Julie Poulain / Production: Christophe Segura, Marilu Production

Saturday 21 November 2026 from 8.30 pm.

Full price: 23.50 €, Reduced price: 18.50 €, Associate member: 18.50 €, Child (0-15 years): 7.50 €.

For wheelchair users: please contact us on 04 66 50 50 59 or culture@bagnolssurceze.fr before purchasing your ticket, so that we can make the best possible arrangements for you.