Eight elder men and women share their stories of love and sex, from their first stirrings to the reinvention of love in later life.
French-Moroccan artist Mohamed El Khatib, a leading voice in the new style of documentary theater, fuses autobiography, social themes and creative fiction into a live experience that blurs the lines of our own journey and the stories we tell about others.
Based on a hundred interviews conducted with volunteers between the ages of 75 to 102 shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, El Khatib’s newest stage show La Vie Secrète des Vieux examines the taboo of sexuality among seniors, exalting in the vibrancy and fire contained in newly fragile bodies.
How do older people kindle passion and make love? Hear the answer directly from participants of the project as a group of eight elders contemplate their past relationships and current desires. With tenderness and lucidity, El Khatib and his cast question the marginalization and suppression of those bearing a love not yet ready to die.
Photo Credit: Christophe Raynaud
About the Artist
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Mohamed El Khatib | Creator and Director
Bernard Babkine, Annie Boisdenghien, Micheline Boussaingault, Mariecke de Bussac, Chille Deman, Martine Devries, Jean-Pierre Dupuy, Yasmine Hadj Ali, Nicole Jourfier, Salimata Kamaté, Etienne Kretzschmar, Christian Le Petit, Jacqueline Juin, Annette Sadoul, Jean Paul Sidolle | Rotating casts and according to their longevity
Camille Nauffray | Dramaturgy and Artistic Coordination
Fred Hocké | Set Design and Artistic Collaboration
Emmanuel Manzano | Video Design
Arnaud Leger | Sound Design
Gil Paon | Production Manager
Arnaud Leger | Technical Manager
Madeleine Campa, Arnaud Leger | Touring Technicians
Zacharie Dutertre | Surtitles Operator
Julien Lewkowicz | Touring Artistic Coordination
Lucile Macé | Administration
Matis Hernandez | Tour Logistics
Presented in partnership with Alliance Française de Seattle.
La Vie Secrète des Vieux is supported by Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation through the Theatre & New Forms program.
La Vie Secrète des Vieux has additional support from Alliance Française de Seattle.
Honorary producer for the On the Boards presentation: John C. Robinson and Maya Sonenberg.
La Vie Secrète des Vieux
(The Secret Lives of Old People)
Presented in partnership with Alliance Française de Seattle.
February 18-20, 2027
Thursday, February 18 | 7:30pm
Friday, February 19 | 7:30pm¹
Saturday, February 20 | 7:30pm
Masked seating available for all shows