With a mix of narrative and figurative embroidery, Vierges Maudites! is a rewrite of the Arthurian legend of Elaine of Astolat, the “lily maiden”, who died of her unrequited love for Sir Lancelot. Here, she is not dead, but underground looking for the knight.

By bringing Elaine back to life, without sacrificing the tragedy of the story, Inès Cassigneul makes her a heroine on a quest for love, far from the archetype of “sleeping beauty”. This narrative features prose and verse, inspired by the medieval genres of allegory and narrative poetry, with a seductive helping of literary tricks, as spoken word and embroidery blend together alongside ancient texts and contemporary pastiche. Through this coming-of-age story, represented on stage by large embroideries (a geographical map and Game of the Goose), Vierges Maudites! uses ancient know-how to cast its spell and share a female version of a sentimental education. This participatory performance was created in collaboration with embroiderers from Le Rheu, making this critical tale a collective piece.