the underworld poses a very interesting question. Is it allowed, legally and morally, to take refuge in a virtual world and lead the life you want with your dreams, fantasies and excesses?
On display until 1er April to First Act, the underworld, by American playwright Jennifer Haley, plunges the viewer into parallel worlds that can be experienced virtually.
This production by the company The Man Who Saw the Bear, directed by Maxime Perron, is a theatrical work of science fiction. What you don’t often see on the boards.
The Underworld is interested in Mr. Roy, creator of the virtual world Refuge, who saw his universe being infiltrated. Detective Harrison, who has clandestinely accessed this universe, is convinced that sordid acts are committed there, including some against Iris, a fictional 11-year-old girl. Gestures, according to her, which are illegal and likely to morally corrupt its users.
When questioned, Mr. Roy, played by Vincent Champoux, does not at all agree with these assertions. For him, the Refuge is visited by users who are of legal age and it is completely legal to be able to live a life free from all consequences and to be free in the 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 also frequents the Refuge.
The Underworld takes place alternately, skilfully, with segments in the real world and others that take place in the virtual world where everything is possible. A world of beauty and ugliness.
A confusing Iris
We observe, in the virtual world, Mr. Roy, who becomes Dad, the young Iris and Dubois who discovers this world with his avatar.
The interrogation rooms are located on each side of the stage where, between the two, there is a reproduction of the Refuge with trees, armchairs, stumps and a grassy surface. Everything is accompanied by video projections.
Octavie Carrée plays an Iris with candor, naivety and purity. She offers a superb performance in the skin of this character who incites the “players” to do things which it is impossible to do elsewhere and even to kill.
Exasperated and confused by the explanations of the creator of the Refuge, who sees nothing wrong with her virtual world, Detective Harrison, played by Rosalie Cournoyer, sometimes raises her voice and we sometimes lose what she expresses.
The Underworld addresses ethical issues in virtual worlds. This theatrical work questions and provokes an important and interesting reflection on this possibility of satisfying, without consequence, all one’s fantasies. Is it good ? Is it wrong? The work, which exhibits without taking sides, is fascinating.