“The Summit“. Surreal Irony But Without Scratches

"Prepare to stand still for 15 or 18 years." The warning comes from somewhere outside the chalet. And it sends shivers down your spine. Because you immediately think of the 2008 crisis, the pandemic, the immobile life besieged by the market. Too bad, however, that in the end it is one of the few, true emotions of "Il cima" , the first production of the Piccolo directed by Marthaler , here in collaboration with Lausanne and Bobigny. Six performers of different languages ​​closed in this cabin, facing the audience. First dressed as mountaineers, then as masters of the world. Playing with the double meaning of the title: the top of the mountain, an international summit. Outside, meanwhile, the streets are blocked, the turnstiles spin empty. Two hours of surreal and ironic phrasing. But without scratches. Two hours of inventions and funny faces, of smiles, of oddities. While the scenographic structure continues to offer new details. As if it were a drawing by Richard Scarry. And so the Swiss director allows himself a bit of everything. But these 120 minutes pass very slowly, despite the (excellent) performers, including a applauded Liliana Benini . Beyond the boredom, what disappoints is the lack of depth. Can such an ambitious international co-production really resolve itself into half a political metaphor? Something else is needed. As Dries Verhoeven's anti-capitalist fury reminded us once again, at the Festival Life in Zona K. Marthaler instead descends into mannerisms, sacrificing the sharpest aspects of his language, a real poetic opening, the surrealist mockery à la Buñuel. So much for quoting Celentano! Then of course, the packaging is always of a high standard. But with an empty box you can't do much. Today the last performance, at the Piccolo Strehler .

Diego Vincenti

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