The Door Next Door
The pandemic and lockdowns presented a challenging and anxious time for me as an actor. With the inability to perform on stage, I deeply missed the creative outlet that acting provides. In an effort to stay productive and grounded during this difficult time, I turned to running and finally had the chance to catch up on my reading list. However, the desire to return to acting and the stage continued to weigh on my mind.
Fortunately, I was eventually given the opportunity to return to acting through a new production directed by Yamine Boudemagh. The preparation process and being on stage served as a form of therapy for me, helping to alleviate the stress and anxiety I had been feeling and reaffirming my passion for acting.
The production, titled The Door Next Door, tells the story of two solitary individuals seeking a soulmate who are also neighbors and best enemies. One character is a psychologist, while the other sells yogurt, and they both use internet dating sites to search for love. The play is unconventional in its form, with the characters sometimes addressing the audience or thinking aloud in front of their computers. It touches on contemporary ways of facing reality and the challenges of modern dating, all while maintaining a light and humorous tone.
Written by Fabrice Roger-Lacan, The Door Next Door is a jaunty, sentimental, and funny comedy that addresses contemporary ways of confronting reality in an unconventional and non-preachy manner. The form of the play is quite unusual, with the two main characters, designated as "She" and "He," sometimes stopping to address the audience or think out loud in front of their computers. They even comment on their own status as "characters." Despite this self-awareness, the play manages to make the audience smile and laugh without being heavy-handed or preachy. Overall, The Door Next Door is a charming and entertaining play that effectively combines humour and emotion.
Author : Fabrice Roger-Lacan
Translation in English: M. Boudemagh
Cast list: Empress Jade, Matas Danielius featuring Valentine Peyrot as the voice And introducing Cattleeya and Roj Jayaphon as Pauline and Maxime
Directed by: Yamine Boudemagh and Valentine Peyrot
Lighting Designer: Maurizio Mistretta
Scenography: Peeratchai Patikornwong
