The French Revolution might, at first glance, seem better suited to the dusty archives of history and less like a rousing subject matter for a play (within a play) in 2009. While debates about aristocrats, Napoleon, and the price of bread are specific to the French Revolution, Insights into societed relations, economic policy, and the government’s role in individual life continue to resonate with our modern times. Just last month, protest against governmental corruption and misuse of public funds erupted in Lebanon and are still ongoing. Manifestation to protect people’s civil liberties has been raging in Hong Kong almost the entire year. In addition to these contemporary large-scale demonstrations, it would take a vast effort to count the numerous protests, strike and revolutions that occurred between the end of the French Revolution and the present day. As we look back and forth between the historical event and modern times, there is one thing that remains constant: the power of the people when they gather en masse
And what better place to imagine the wildest possibilities of a more equitable future than in an insane asylum? Based loosely on true events, in which a well-known and somewhat maligned philosopher wrote plays about real historical events that were then performed by asylum patients (so meta, huh?), this play exploded with outlandish propositions, visceral reenactments, and philosophical musings on life, death, and everything (yes, everything) in between.
Towards the end of the play, You’ll hear the patient sign the main question of the play, underscored by a bouncy refrain: “what’s the point of a revolution?” The play refuses to provide a clear answer, but rather, serves to remind us, that we, as individuals have a responsibility to consider the government’s role in our lives, to riot against what we view as injustice, and to passionately advocate for the people.
Enjoy the Show!
-Yassi Jahanmir