Actor and author Sarah Biasini, daughter of Romy Schneider and Daniel Biasini, is set to release her latest book, Jouer l’amant, in German translation by 2027 via the Vienna-based publisher Zsolnay. The work, which reflects on themes of desire, jealousy, and the blurred lines between reality and performance, was inspired by her stage performance in Harold Pinter’s play Der Liebhaber.
The Intersection of Performance and Personal Reflection
Biasini’s second book is not a traditional diary but a psychological exploration of the roles individuals play in their private lives. According to Biasini, the book captures her internal monologue during her five-week run of the play in Paris, a production that premiered at the Avignon Theater Festival in 2025. She performed alongside Pierre Rochefort, the son of Jean Rochefort.
The play centers on a married couple, Sarah and Richard, who adopt different personas to sustain their relationship. Biasini notes that the text allows for an examination of suppressed desires. “It would be very hypocritical to claim one has no fantasies, no longings, no wishes,” Biasini told attendees at a recent reading at the Hisler bookstore in Metz. She argues that Pinter’s work provides a space to express these human complexities in a public forum.
Did you know?
Sarah Biasini is a fifth-generation actor. Her training emphasized that one should use their own life experiences, searching for memories or feelings that resemble what the character is going through.
The Evolution of Modern Literary Autofiction
Biasini’s transition from stage to literature has been marked by a focus on the interplay between the self and the character. Her 2021 debut, Die Schönheit des Himmels (The Beauty of the Sky), which dealt with her relationship with her mother and the process of grieving, became a bestseller. Her new work, Jouer l’amant, continues this trajectory by applying a theatrical lens to interpersonal dynamics.
The author highlights the difficulty of being entirely transparent with a partner in daily life. She suggests that role-playing—or “wearing a mask”—can ironically serve as a bridge to deeper communication. During her discussion in Metz, Biasini humorously noted that even unconventional role-playing, such as adopting the guise of a plumber, might help individuals convey messages that are otherwise difficult to articulate in a standard domestic setting.
Audience Engagement and the Future of Live Theater
Biasini maintains that the relationship between the actor and the audience is a symbiotic one. She emphasizes that performers are acutely aware of the audience’s presence, from the sound of a candy wrapper being opened to the overall engagement levels in the room. According to Biasini, the work of an actor is fundamentally for the audience; without them, the performance cannot exist.
Her approach to public appearances, such as the book signing in Metz, reflects a commitment to personal connection. By engaging directly with readers and theater fans, she bridges the gap between the “stage persona” and the individual. Her publisher in Paris has confirmed the rights for the German translation, ensuring that the work will reach a wider audience in the coming years.
For those interested in the nuances of French literature and theater, keeping up with works like Jouer l’amant in the original language can provide deeper insights into the author’s voice before the translated edition arrives in 2027.
FAQ
- When will Jouer l’amant be available in German?
The book is scheduled for release in 2027 through the publisher Zsolnay. - Is the book a direct transcript of the play?
No, it is a psychological reflection inspired by the play, not a diary or a direct script adaptation. - What is the core theme of the book?
The book explores hidden desires, the masks people wear in relationships, and the thin line between fantasy and reality.
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