Presented for the first time in the media on April 23 at the Center of Today’s Theater, “The Testament of the Celibriates” by Jon Lachlan Stewart is on display until May 9 and offers a satirical dive into the shores of contemporary stardom.
This play, written by Jon Lachlan Stewart, imagines a catacomb at the Oscars ceremony, leaving a generation of child actors as heirs to a foundation tasked with funding the sequel to a cult fantasy series for children titled “Grimbelgitch.” The explosion at the Oscars amphitheater was actually caused by the series author, Dame Sylvia Grey, who was seeking to end her life.
This controversial author, known for her right-wing views, leaves behind a colossal fortune intended to perpetuate her work indefinitely for future generations, even if the original young actors have aged. They will then be replaced by simulated beings generated by artificial intelligence. This is the starting point of this play translated and directed by the sparkling Olivier Morin, whom we had seen on YouTube in a parody of Stephane Bern visiting Place Versailles.
The three excellent actors Gabriel Favreau, Chloé Germentier, and Rebecca Vachon are hilarious in an almost acrobatic mechanic, given the numerous and demanding changes in tone, characters, and subjects. The highly successful lighting supports the mood variations and character asides, much like when we scroll through videos online. A laser system even captures and copies the actors’ identities and DNA to reproduce their faces, expressions, glances, voices, and hairstyles infinitely.
Sometimes confusing, the game remains captivating because we also laugh at our own flaws. The fantastic adventures of these idols with superpowers continue to captivate. The abundance of stereotypes often tips the balance into the absurd. Caricatures and reflections on the shores of stardom abound. The random incantations by the characters lead to dramatic consequences: abuse, sex, drugs, and alcohol, up to depression.
After 90 minutes of this fast-paced exercise, one may leave feeling breathless despite the verbal and physical mastery of the actors. However, a certain lack of direction is noted: where are we being led in this ordeal? The numerous and scattered themes sometimes struggle to find coherence, despite everyone’s efforts and talent. It is entertaining, yet the stakes of stardom and artificial intelligence, capable of partially or entirely replacing the actors’ performance, may not be fully articulated.
Nevertheless, the entertainment operates despite the wandering nature of this humorous social critique. The path to awareness is worth the detour.
Catch it until May 9 at the Center of Today’s Theater.
[CONTEXT: The article provides a review of a theatre play titled “The Testament of the Celibriates” and offers a critical analysis of its themes and performances.] [FACT CHECK: The play explores themes of stardom, artificial intelligence, and societal critique through a satirical lens.]
