Believe (?) : Mentalism and Critical Thinking at Théâtre Clavel

To Believe (?) combines a mentalism show with a conversation about critical thinking. At Théâtre Clavel, Benoît Loizeau directs a mystical researcher in search of meaning and truth. The experiments involving the audience become the starting point for a reflection on perception, narratives and beliefs.

The solo show draws on themes that fuel mentalism: nonverbal reading, mind manipulation, divination and mediumship. These elements form the substance of an illusion show. The character and his experiences then open up a discussion about what leads us to accept an explanation, place our trust in something or put a claim to the test.

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A different guest follows each performance with a talk and discussion. Journalist Aude Favre explores fact-checking; writer Hervé Le Tellier discusses how fiction leads us to suspend our disbelief. Christophe Michel, from the Hygiène mentale channel, examines the trust we place in others.

The series also welcomes Nicolas Pinsault, Denis Caroti, Richard Monvoisin, Anthony Lantian, Florent Martin and Virginie Bagneux. Their conversations explore, among other things, the effects of context, freedom of belief, conspiracy theories and ways to test a claim. The format lets audiences choose an evening based on the question they want to explore, bringing the experience of the show into dialogue with a discussion with its guest.

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