The underworld asks a very interesting question. Is it legally and morally permissible to escape into a virtual world and lead the life you want with your dreams, fantasies and excesses?
L’Inframonde by the American playwright Jennifer Haley can be seen in the Premier Acte until April 1 and immerses the viewer in parallel worlds that can be experienced virtually.
This The Man Who Saw the Bear company production, directed by Maxime Perron, is a theatrical science fiction work. What you don’t often see on the boards.
L’Inframonde is interested in Mr. Roy, creator of the virtual world Refuge, who has seen his universe infiltrated. Detective Harrison, who has secretly gained access to this universe, is convinced that dirty deeds are being committed there, including some against Iris, a fictional 11-year-old girl. Gestures that they believe are illegal and likely to morally corrupt users.
When asked, Mr. Roy, played by Vincent Champoux, completely disagrees with these claims. For him, the sanctuary is frequented by users of legal age and it is perfectly legal to be able to live a life free of all consequences and be free in imagination. This prevents people from committing reprehensible and unacceptable acts in the real world.
The detective also questions a teacher, Mr. Martin, played by Carol Cassistat, who is also a frequent visitor to the refuge.
The Underworld skillfully alternates between sections in the real world and others in the virtual world where anything is possible. A world of beauty and ugliness.
A confusing iris
In the virtual world we observe Mr. Roy, who is going to be a father, the young Iris and Dubois, who is discovering this world with his avatar.
The interrogation rooms are located on either side of the stage, between which is a replica of the shelter with trees, chairs, tree stumps, and a grassy area. Everything is accompanied by video projections.
Octavie Carrée plays an Iris with openness, naivety and purity. She offers a great performance in the skin of this character, spurring the “players” to do things that are impossible elsewhere and even kill.
Detective Harrison, played by Rosalie Cournoyer, is annoyed and confused by the explanations of The Refuge creator, who sees nothing wrong with her virtual world, and sometimes she raises her voice and we sometimes lose what she is expressing.
The Underworld deals with ethical issues in virtual worlds. This theatrical work questions and provokes an important and interesting reflection on this possibility of satisfying all one’s fantasies without consequences. It is good ? Is it wrong? The work that exhibits without taking sides is fascinating.