Biting and humorous criticism of speculation, fraud and financial capitalism, the piece the maker is an eccentric yet relevant contemporary adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s original work.
Performed at the Théâtre Denise-Pelletier, this 19th-century work has been brilliantly revised by Gabrielle Chapdelaine. Only the backstory remains as the plot unfolds today, with all the cultural references that come with it: Grand Prix weekend, tower block projects, the Norbourg scandal, video games, etc. The abundance of all these hints is impressive.
The dialogues are also from our time, even if the names of the original characters remain, an interesting bridge between the present and the past.
Always so punctual
The words of the great French writer have not aged more than 170 years after his death. In this story, Mr. and Mrs. Mercadet are nearly ruined after scamming investors. But they hope to get out of there by marrying off their daughter to an alleged young man who made his fortune off Bitcoin. But this one has a crush on a middle-class accountant, a heresy to her parents!
Alice Ronfard’s production is full of freshness. Imaginative scenic effects enliven the audience and liven up this nice proposal, which however could have been shortened.
She masterfully directed a solid cast. Alex Bergeron miraculously carries on his shoulders a coaxing and manipulative Auguste Mercadet, ready to do anything to recover. His wife is played by Karine Gonthier-Hyndman, extremely convincingly in a role that could resemble an absurdist character from the television series Like-Moi, in which she made her name. You are surrounded by talented actors, each adding their own color to this ensemble.
Despite its dark and whimsical humor, this production raises serious issues such as inequality, the frantic race for wealth and social status, and the desire to be noticed.
Its form allows this show to find its tone far removed from Balzac’s universe, but essentially it has the merit of showing that the obsession with money and appearances hasn’t changed much for almost two centuries.
the maker will be presented at the Théâtre Denise-Pelletier until February 18th.
- the maker ★★★★☆
Directed by Alice Ronfard
Starring Alex Bergeron, Mohsen El Gharbi, Alexandra Gagné-Lavoie, Annette Garant and Karine Gonthier-Hyndman