The Château d’Orgon: A Satirical Comedy at Studio Hébertot

Le Château d’Orgon ou le Progrès malmené is a contemporary satirical comedy penned by Guillaume Gallix and directed by Julien Gallix. The show will run at Studio Hébertot from April 9 to May 31, 2026. Set in a sprawling estate in the south of France, the play explores the summer gathering of a bourgeois family amidst the tensions of modern progress.

Inspired loosely by the works of Molière, but also drawing from Marivaux and Chekhov, this production leverages the conventions of classic comedy to explore contemporary themes. The play features a cast of sharply contrasted characters: an investment fund manager, a committed actress, a struggling startup founder, a perpetually studying student, and an exploited gardener. These deliberately defined social archetypes serve as the foundation for a satire of modern society.

According to the press kit, the project explores the role of ideological discourse in today’s society. Through family dynamics and conflicting interests, the play questions concepts of commitment, morality, and conviction—particularly surrounding issues like ecology, feminism, and equal opportunity. The artistic dossier emphasizes that the core challenge lies in the ability to debate, challenge each other, and find humor in ourselves.

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Julien Gallix’s direction embraces a realistic approach. The set, designed by Eliott Sebban, depicts a pristine summer villa facade, complete with a terrace, pool, and multi-level play areas. This outdoor scenery not only creates dynamic entrances, exits, and observational moments but also evokes the theatrical mechanics typical of mainstream comedy and vaudeville.

The staging calls for intentionally exaggerated performances, emphasizing wordplay and expressive gestures. The costumes and props, brightly colored, heighten the caricatured nature of the characters, while the sound and lighting design mirror the passage of the day into night. Overall, the production seeks to craft a cohesive world that balances realism with stylized imagery.

With Le Château d’Orgon ou le Progrès malmené, Guillaume Gallix makes his debut in comedy, forging a clear connection to the classic traditions of French comedic theater while engaging with current social debates. The play is set to run at Studio Hébertot until May 31, 2026.