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Following its acclaimed performances in Avignon and Paris, Au Scalpel now makes its way to Beirut. The production is staged at the ACT Theatre in Le Monnot from March 7 to March 31, 2024, running Tuesday to Sunday at 7 PM. Penned by Antoine Rault, the play features performances by Nadim Chammas and Cyril Jabre, with direction by Lina Abiad and lighting design by Hagop Derghougassian.
Au Scalpel delves into the complex dynamics of sibling relationships, posing probing questions about familial love and communication. It centers on two brothers: one, a successful surgeon, and the other, a self-satisfied photographer. Their lives are a study in contrasts, academic excellence versus parental favoritism, unrequited love for the other’s wife, and an underlying rivalry. Yet, they never truly conversed until one pivotal evening. The play explores who embodies Abel and who embodies Cain, unraveling the truths of their shared history.
In an interview with This is Beirut, both actors generously shared their insights into the play, their roles and the creative process behind their performances.
Nadim Chammas expressed his discovery of Antoine Rault’s text through L’Avant-Scène Théâtre publication, praising the script’s beauty, precision and the subtle nuances within each line. The play’s shift from comedy to thriller captivated him, offering a spectrum of emotions and truths in a mere seventy minutes. He recounted his rehearsal experiences with Lina Abiad as moments of immense joy and learning, highlighting the director’s encouragement for exploration and creativity, which significantly contributed to the depth of their performance. Nadim Chammas also discussed the challenges of navigating the play’s emotional complexity, emphasizing the need for a robust and nuanced character development to effectively transition between the script’s varying tones.
As for Cyril Jabre, he was drawn to the text’s exploration of unsaid thoughts and the characters’ underlying animosity. He found personal resonance with his role through his own experiences of familial discord, which paralleled the bitterness and conflict between the characters in the play.
