There have been several stage adaptations of the 1973 French cult classic film, La Maman et La Putain (The Mother and The Whore) which received the Special Prize at Cannes Film Festival. The now historical film was written and directed by Jean Eustache, and stars French New Wave icon Jean Pierre Leaud, Bernadette Lafont and Francoise Lebrun.

The groundbreaking story depicts the life of a menage-a-trois in a France, taken by the uprising of sexual liberation after the social turmoil of May 1968. La Maman et La Putain is now running at l'Etoile du Nord, directed by Thierry Lavat who co-adapted the script with Benjamin Boyer.

The small theatre, which has recently been renamed l'Etoile du Nord and hosts now this production of La Maman et La Putain with a cast of five. Benjamin Boyer plays Alexandre, the man torn between two women. Michele Harfaut plays Marie, the slightly older and richer woman and Laurence Kelepikis plays Veronika, the sexually demanding nurse. Juliette Poissonnier and Sebastien Thiery complete the cast.

For tickets and informations on La Maman et La Putain at l'Etoile du Nord, call 01 42 26 47 47. Runs until Mar. 29. No performances on Tue. and Wed.

-- By Stephane Ly-Cuong
France Correspondent