The Eagles once sang, “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave” in the iconic “Hotel California,” a work that focused on the Hollywood system and the film industry. In his play “Le testament des célébrités,” author Jon Lachlan Stewart reminds us that this eternal hold on actors is unfortunately still relevant today.
The story is somewhat familiar: on the stage of the Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, director Olivier Morin tells the story of child actors who have grown up, their lives still marked by a popular work they dedicated many years to.
Even worse, the author of the series, titled “Grimblegitch” here, turned out to be a vile conservative, making controversial statements that led to public outrage.
After a tragic incident at an Oscar awards ceremony celebrating the author’s career, three main actors from the series commit to filming the ultimate chapter of a saga that would consist of 15 episodes.
“Le testament des célébrités” explores well-trodden territory but deserves to be revisited. The play delves into various themes, including the separation between artist and art, the devouring nature of Hollywood, and the emergence of artificial intelligence, all in 90 minutes.
The play is bursting with content, but the quick transitions and changing perspectives may cause some confusion, especially for actress Chloé Germentier playing multiple roles.
Overall, “Le testament des célébrités” is a bold critique of a corrupt world that seems impossible to escape. An intriguing piece to watch.
– The play “Le testament des célébrités” is written by Jon Lachlan Stewart and directed by Olivier Morin. – Featuring Gabriel Favreau, Chloé Germentier, and Rebecca Vachon. – Showing at the Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui until May 9.
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