Beneath the coal, gold. In 1958, in Nœux-les-Mines, a small mining town in northern France, Sosthène – a ‘life-and-soul of the party and bar-stool philosopher’ – has just bought a black-and-white television, thanks to his silicosis pension. He is determined to watch the World Cup in Sweden and, in particular, to see the young Raymond Kopa – star of the French team and a former miner from Nœux – score goals.
Meanwhile, his son Pierre and his best friend Vlad work in the mine, breed carrier pigeons, and play the accordion in the local band led by Sosthène. This cheerful and colourful little world, despite the coal dust, will never quite be the same again the day Leila joins the band as an accordionist.
Both funny and moving, this play, imbued with humanity, won five Molière Awards in 2025 (Best Private Theatre Production, Best Director, Best Playwright, Best Supporting Actress and Best New Female Actor). Suitable for ages 13 and over.
Cast: Jean-Philippe Daguerre (script and direction), Antoine Milan (set design), Virginie H (costumes), Hervé Haine (assistant director), Moïse Hill (lighting), Jean-Jacques Vanier, Aladin Reibel, Raphaëlle Cambray, Théo Dusoulié, Julien Ratel, Juliette Béhar and Jean-Philippe Daguerre (actors).
