“Dystopian Theatre” represents a captivating genre within the realm of contemporary drama. It ventures into the unsettling territories of dystopian or post-apocalyptic societies, offering audiences a glimpse into imagined futures fraught with oppression, decay, and despair. This theatrical form paints vivid portraits of societies plagued by totalitarian regimes, environmental catastrophes, technological disasters, and the erosion of individual liberties.
At its core, dystopian theatre delves into the complex themes of power dynamics, societal control, oppression, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through exaggerated or surrealistic elements, it creates a chilling atmosphere that mirrors the absurdity and horror of these fictional worlds. Employing elements of science fiction or fantasy, dystopian theatre crafts speculative narratives that provoke contemplation on the trajectory of our own society and the consequences of our actions.
Jean-Pierre Martinez has intricately explored these themes in several of his plays, always maintaining a keenly ironic or humorous perspective. In his works, he skillfully combines the grim realities of dystopian societies with elements of satire and wit, offering audiences a thought-provoking and entertaining experience. In the realm of dystopian theatre, playwrights and directors push the boundaries of imagination to confront audiences with uncomfortable truths and cautionary tales. By presenting distorted versions of reality, they challenge us to reflect on the fragility of our civilization and the potential consequences of unchecked power and technological advancement. Dystopian theatre serves not only as a form of artistic expression but also as a mirror held up to society, urging us to consider the paths we tread and the future we collectively shape.
Peter, a dedicated researcher, stumbles upon the formula for eternal life. Faced with the potential unforeseen consequences, he contemplates keeping the discovery a secret. Yet, his wife, longing for perpetual youth, and her lover, desiring immortality, are unwilling to make such a sacrifice.
In a future where assisted suicide has been replaced by voluntary recycling, a man and a woman, who met just before their reconditioning, reappear in the very ordinary home of the outdated couple they are meant to replace. Is there anything left of love when everything has been forgotten?
Three people who do not know each other are summoned to participate in a jury. At least, that's what they were told. But the place where they have been gathered is not a courtroom. They learn that they are there to decide together how to manage the consequences of an inevitable catastrophe that will strike the world in the very near future. Opinions diverge, and numerous twists and turns keep the debate alive. Throughout this immersive performance, the audience will also be called upon to express their opinions to guide them in their choices, so that they can make the best possible decision to face the worst imaginable situation.
Five strangers with nothing in common wake up locked in an unfamiliar place. Who brought them there, and for what purpose? The arrival of their two kidnappers only raises more questions than answers. Setting aside their differences, the hostages must work together, prioritizing the collective goal to survive and find a way out—carefully avoiding any missteps along the way.
A couple of astronauts are on their way to Mars with the intention of establishing a colony and laying the foundations for a new, more humanistic humanity. Following a mysterious accident, this space journey turns into a voyage through time. Between a dystopian future and a past carrying the seeds of impending disasters, it may be tempting to want to rewrite history… and perhaps even the Bible!
Four strangers find themselves forcefully quarantined in what turns out to be an abandoned theater. Seated behind an imaginary two-way mirror, they are observed by another group of people (the audience). The allegedly contaminated strangers consider the situation. What virus are they contaminated with? What will happen to them? How and when will all this end? Little by little, we learn that this huis-clos takes place in a near future where Big Brother reigns supreme, and that the reason for this quarantine may not be entirely medically motivated.
Set during prehistoric times that might well be yet to come, Newanderthals and Bohosapiens live together in perfect harmony. But two human species… isn’t that at least one too many?
On a Planet Earth ravaged by climate change and rendered uninhabitable, mankind is living out its final hours. Two men and two women are set to take off in a spaceship for an unknown planet that might be their only chance for survival. The mission of these four « chosen ones » is to give humanity one last chance to save itself and carry on its evolution. But does mankind deserve a second chance if self-destructive madness caused its extermination? The passengers cannot agree…