At Théâtre Ouvert in Paris, a new performance piece directed by Céleste Germe and based on the text of young playwright Marine Chartrain is proving both radical and captivating. The play, Lac artificiel, features Maëlys Ricordeau in a powerful and intense portrayal of two teenagers navigating a night that blurs the lines between memory and reality. The production opens with a striking double frame: a physical stage design and a textual narrative that work in tandem to create a mysterious and immersive atmosphere. The stage, designed by James Brandily and Sébastien Lefèvre, features a plexiglass table, a microphone, a mixing console, and a few leaves arranged in piles, all under a heavy darkness that is eventually pierced by a single beam of light. The text, written by Marine Chartrain, sets the scene with a poetic, almost map-like description of a peri-urban landscape, guiding the audience through a journey that is as much about place as it is about emotion. The play begins with a simple yet evocative line: "An empty parking lot. In front of the empty parking lot: the Pacha Club." This sets the stage for the story of Laura and Salomé, two teenagers who decide to go out to dance on a summer night. However, Salomé is in a strange state, caught between memories of her childhood and a specific evening involving her mother and a boy named Lucas. The narrative unfolds with a rhythm that is both precise and intense, with a language that is concise and almost percussive. Chartrain’s writing, reminiscent of her earlier work Feu du Ciel, avoids unnecessary embellishment and focuses on creating a flow that moves between sudden peaks and sharp drops, allowing the audience to catch subtle details that enrich the story. Lac artificiel explores the complex dynamics of friendship, the shifting power relations between individuals, and the often unspoken tensions that can arise between close friends. The play examines how relationships can become strained, how moments of rupture can feel inevitable, and how the past can unexpectedly influence the present. Under Céleste Germe’s direction, the performance captures these themes with a singular intensity, enhanced by the sound design of Jacob Stambach and the video setup of Jérôme Tuncer. These elements allow Maëlys Ricordeau to embody both Laura and Salomé, highlighting the duality and tension between the two characters. Her performance is marked by a remarkable ability to convey both the physical and emotional landscapes of the play, drawing the audience into a world that is both grounded and ethereal. Lac artificiel is a production by Das Plateau, a collective co-founded by Céleste Germe and others. It is supported by several organizations, including the Association Beaumarchais - SACD and the Île-de-France Region. The performance runs at Théâtre Ouvert in Paris from 7 to 17 October 2026 and will also be presented in Marseille and Saint-Etienne in early 2027. The play promises to be a compelling exploration of memory, friendship, and the fragile boundaries between reality and imagination.