Just for Laughs Festival will embrace geek culture with the show next summer The Prophecy of the Seven Kingdoms (plus a smaller one)an original creation that brings dragons, mages, goblins and minotaurs together on stage The newspaper.
“Geek culture is global. But due to lack of money, in Quebec we mostly do parodies or homages. This time around, we’ll be using local talent to create our own original fantasy epic,” said Patrick Rozon, vice president of French-language content at Just for Laughs Group.
The announcement comes with great fanfare this afternoon at Montreal Comiccon. Patrick Rozon is accompanied by some actors to continue reading three scenes of the show just to introduce the tone and the universe to which the prophecy of the seven kingdoms will invite us (plus a smaller one).
With humor and respect
In an interview with the Journal, this one recalls the codes used by classics like The Lord of the Rings, The Iron Throne or even Star Wars, this time in the service of humor. However, there is one important fact that needs to be made clear: making fun of this culture is out of the question for Just for Laughs.
“I’m a self-confessed geek myself. That’s why it’s important to me to explore this world with a lot of respect for this culture,” emphasizes Patrick Rozon, who will also direct this daring play.
The Prophecy of the Seven Kingdoms (plus one smaller) therefore transports us into a world of mystical and celestial creatures, where a young hero must save his people by defeating a dangerous – and fearsome – dragon. This is brought to life through holograms, projections and special effects.
We are also promised that the dialogues and music will contain several references to well-known fantastic universes that can only be deciphered by those in the know.
“The goal is to make a show that anyone – geek or not – can enjoy. But we’re adding subtle elements that only some will recognize, a second layer that fans will appreciate,” specifies Patrick Rozon.
Writing for the show was recently completed by writers Simon Boudreault and LeLouis Courchesne. The distribution process will begin soon to find the 16 actors who will carry the storyline on their shoulders.
Simon Boudreault Photo courtesy of Marili Levac Clark
LeLouis Courchesne Photo courtesy of Hugo B. Lefort
Export talents from here
The Prophecy of the Seven Kingdoms (plus a smaller one) is part of the desire to bring more and more new works to mark the occasion of Just for Laughs. The ultimate goal? Export as much creative talent as possible from Quebec. Foreign producers have already confirmed their presence at the first performances scheduled for June 2024.
“A lot of people around the world want our shows like Annie or Hair, but we don’t own the rights. In the case of The Prophecy of the Seven Kingdoms (plus a smaller one), we can sell it and highlight the work of creators from our foreign countries, such as Cirque du Soleil,” says Patrick Rozon.
He also makes no secret of his desire to present unreleased plays and musicals in the more or less near future. However, the festival will not turn its back on adaptations of popular licences; As proof, Just for Laughs will present the first French-language version of the American musical Waitress in the summer of 2024.
- The Prophecy of the Seven Kingdoms (plus a smaller one) will be screened at the Salle Pierre-Mercure in Montreal on June 28, 2024. Tickets are available from today at 4:00 p.m prophetiedes7royaumes.com.