Romain Gary’s seminal novel adapted for the stage through June 28, 2026, in Paris. It tells the story of unconditional maternal love, as well as that of a pilot who fought in the Liberation.
From “The Promise of Dawn,” everyone remembers the story of a mother, Mina, and her son arriving on the French Riviera in the early 1930s, with the mother’s ambition to make Romain Kacew a great man: “My son will be France’s ambassador,” Mina proclaims to anyone who will listen. Originally from Vilnius, Romain gradually becomes what his mother dreamed of, adopting the name Gary (“fire” in Russian) during the missions he carried out for France during World War II.
His service began in June 1940, when he refused to accept defeat and fled to North Africa. From there, he made his way to the United Kingdom and joined the Free French Equatorial Air Force (FAFL). Certified as an aerial observer and commissioned as a second lieutenant, he served in Libya, Syria…
Soon, he became a liaison officer in the Middle East before joining the Lorraine bomber group. He was promoted to lieutenant in December 1942. He then returned to the United Kingdom and participated in attacks on German V-1 sites aboard “Bostons” (Douglas A-20 Havocs) under the cover of Spitfires starting in 1943. He distinguished himself with an epic landing despite an eye injury—as did his wingman—in 1944.
Promoted to captain in March 1945, Romain Gary ended the war with more than 25 combat missions and 65 hours of flight time on the Western Front. “The Promise of Dawn” was kept in the skies. And it will continue to be kept on the ground with two Goncourt Prizes and many other lives. The work can be (re)discovered in a 1 hour 35 minute play through the end of June at the Théâtre du Contrescarpe in Paris.
Play. “La Promesse de l’aube” Directed by Tigran Mekhitarian. Starring Delphine Husté and Léonard Stefanica. Through June 28, 2026. Théâtre Le Contrescarpe, 5 rue Blainville, 75005 Paris.