This is his last “one-man show,” created for the 2006 Avignon Festival, and like the previous ones, it draws crowds and fills the halls. Yet, no TV platform or radio show, the individual is banned from the airwaves, deemed too subversive. Worse, some have even done everything to silence him, going as far as deploying law enforcement in a hall to a bewildered audience. He even has a “sword of Damocles” hanging over him with a suspended sentence until December 2009 for denouncing a sect’s grip on two store chains. As he himself proclaims, the only way to see him is on stage because there is no censorship there. He protests against the self-imposed censorship of the new generation of comedians, whom he classifies more as humorists but whose work he respects. A generation too polished, seeking only media appearances at the expense of content, although some older stars—normally risking little—are also targeted.
For this politically incorrect and proud comedian-screenwriter and director, the comedian has lost his role as the jester, and few dare to position themselves as such. Manuel Pratt claims total freedom of expression on all subjects. “It is very important not to harm the victims but to denounce the culprits,” he mentions, admitting that his approach may offend different or opposing sensibilities. In this show, he starts by sticking to current events—the softest part but already very incisive; he quickly dives into his social message, and this time it is the fight against all sorts of taboos. An acidic tone, a hefty dose of dark humor—he frequently goes “beyond limits,” and it always hits the mark.
Be careful not to take it at face value because it is pure acid.” “Testament” is to symbolize a certain fear of dying, which materializes for a comedian by the fear of not having enough audience, or none at all. He added “provisional” to soften the negative effect and to proclaim that he does not intend to merely note a lack of recognition for certain valuable shows. For him, this is not the case at all; each representation in Antibes will be sold out to the point that the Théâtre de la Marguerite, which manages this stage at Scène-sur-Mer, has had to add two sessions at 6:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, which are already on the brink of overflow. The next “one-man show” is already written but will be first presented at the 2009 Festival d’Avignon, home city of this unconventional comedian who enjoys a loyal audience thriving through “word of mouth.”
“Testament provisoire” by Manuel Pratt until December 13
Théâtre de la Scène-sur-Mer / Place Nationale / 06600 Antibes
(1st floor of the La Cascade restaurant, at the back of the room on the right)
Reservation highly recommended at 04 93 34 11 21 or on www.theatredelamarguerite.com
