Tiphaine Raffier and Othman Louati Explore Mercy in Theater and Opera

Theater director Tiphaine Raffier and composer Othman Louati present two interconnected works on mercy: 'La Réponse des Hommes' at Odéon Théâtre de l'Europe-Ateliers Berthier in Paris (through January 20, 2024) and 'Les Ailes du désir' at 2 Scènes-Théâtre Ledoux in Besançon (January 17-18) and Théâtre impérial de Compiègne (January 25, 2024). Raffier's dystopian play adapts the biblical works of mercy into nine violent variations, incorporating video, live actors, and a transhumanist sci-fi setting from her earlier piece 'France-Fantôme'. The work includes a prologue reminiscent of Ari Aster's 'Midsommar' and explores themes like charity, guilt, and moral ambiguity. Louati's opera 'Les Ailes du désir', based on Wim Wenders and Peter Handke's film, features a libretto by Gwendoline Soublin and puppetry by Johanny Bert, with small Bunraku-style marionettes representing mortals and singers embodying angels. The score blends jazz, death metal, and electronic music, with a climactic scene reinterpreting Nick Cave songs. Louati, a percussionist, also has upcoming performances including 'Dracula ou la musique troue le ciel' at Opéra de Lille (January 19-20) and 'Bowie, Cage' at Opéra de Rouen (June 4).