Lola Lafon's Play Explores Far-Right Rise and Compromises in Theater Debut

Lola Lafon's debut play addresses far-right influence

Lola Lafon, known for her novels Chavirer and Quand tu écouteras cette chanson, which won the Inrocks Novel Prize in 2022, has written her first play, Merci de votre collaboration, directed by Emmanuel Noblet at the Théâtre du Rond-Point. The play explores the impact of the far-right's rise and the compromises people make in response, even when they are not directly affected by its ideas.

Lafon's transition to theater writing

Lafon discussed her motivations for writing for the theater during rehearsals, noting that she had always been drawn to the medium but had not had the opportunity until now. She was invited by the team at Théâtre du Rond-Point, including Laurence de Magalhaes and the late Stéphane Ricordel, to write what she wanted. She emphasized that writing for the theater is fundamentally different from writing a novel and requires understanding the physical space of the stage.

Influence of far-right politics on the play

Lafon wrote the play in response to the rise of far-right ideas, particularly the shifts in political discourse around the National Rally in France. She recalled a significant moment when Donald Trump expressed interest in influencing museum programming in the United States, which led to self-censorship among museums. This moment, where people begin to obey before being explicitly ordered, was central to her thinking.

Exploring conflict through small events

The play features characters with a controversial leftist background who experience conflict after an insult directed at an airport hostess. Lafon related this to a personal experience with a group of friends, where a seemingly minor word triggered a significant quarrel. She explored how people in friendships and political groups navigate compromise and collaboration.

Language as a political tool

Lafon discussed the role of language in today's political climate, noting that while she does not see semantic investment as inherently negative, it is worth examining. She observed the importance of language in student protests and slogans, viewing it as a reinvention of political discourse. She cautioned against waging war over words, referencing Donald Trump’s attempts to ban certain terms.

Theater as a space for conflict and rhythm

In staging five characters in an airport who once belonged to the same student movement, Lafon was inspired by Nathalie Sarraute's play Pour un oui ou pour un non. She focused on rhythm and the electric dialogue between characters, aiming to create waves of conflict. Director Emmanuel Noblet joined the writing process after Lafon had completed half the script, helping to refine the work according to the rules of theater.

Collaboration and the role of the writer

Lafon attended rehearsals and worked with the actors, offering insights into the characters. She praised Noblet’s sensitivity to contemporary authors, referencing his adaptation of Tanguy Viel’s work. As a spectator, she enjoys performative theater and the freedom it offers, though she expressed some fatigue with writing on the spot, noting it often lacks linguistic variety. She defended the continued relevance of writers in shaping cultural discourse.