Les Témoins: political theater at the Manufacture des Abbesses

The Manufacture des Abbesses presents Les Témoins, a creation by Yann Reuzeau that questions political abuses and freedom of the press in a context of democratic upheaval. Created in 2019, the play returns in 2025-2026 alongside Des ombres et des armes(Shadows and Weapons), another work by the director, in a diptych devoted to the tensions that run through contemporary society. In a turbulent political climate, the show follows a newsroom confronted with the rise to power of a far-right president and the urgent need to preserve its professional principles.

The plot unfolds at a national daily newspaper whose independence is under threat. Catherine, the deputy editor-in-chief, tries to keep her team together as investigations pile up and internal tensions escalate. Cyril discovers a terrorist plot led by a small environmentalist group, Hassan investigates the possible execution of a French agent by an allied country, Rebecca uncovers a vast industrial espionage scandal linked to a close associate of the new president, and Romain spots the beginnings of an armed resistance. These parallel storylines create a tightly woven drama, like a political soap opera in which each journalist must reevaluate their convictions.

The staging is based on a set design centered around two spaces: the newsroom screen, the true matrix of the newspaper where pages and archives scroll by, and the conference room, the venue for debates and confrontations. These settings set the pace for a show in which political pressure, the race for information, and the fragility of journalistic ideals structure the action. This approach gives the show an immersive quality, similar to contemporary investigative series, and helps to anchor it in the current challenges facing the media.

The cast includes Tewfik Bensnoussi, Catherine Griffoni, Clara Leduc, Marjorie Ciccone, Morgan Perez, Romain Sandère, Sophie Vonlanthen, and Yann Reuzeau. Their performances bring to life a gallery of characters facing professional and personal dilemmas in a climate of political polarization and questioning of the role of the press. The production also brings together the director's artistic team, including Elsa Revol for lighting, Goury for set design, and Mathieu Morelle for video design.

With this live show, Yann Reuzeau continues his exploration of political theater, which began with Chute d'une Nation(Fall of a Nation), some of whose events are continued in Les Témoins (The Witnesses), while remaining an independent work. The play is part of a reflection on democratic balance, the power of the media, and how a newly established power can weaken countervailing powers. Presented at the heart of the Parisian scene, it offers an immersion into contemporary tensions through a dense and well-documented narrative.

The show can be seen at the Manufacture des Abbesses until January 30, 2026.