“They all do that.” Cynical philosopher Don Alfonso proposes a bet to prove two of his friends how fickle women are, which comes down to turning their respective lovers unfaithful in less than a day.
Cue a series of unstoppable events, replete with seduction tactics akin to those found in 18th century libertine plays, and with romantic confusion. Instead of an insignificant game, this experiment turns out to be rather cruel, with unexplored fears rising from the apparent lightheartedness of the attempt.
Energetically conducted by Duncan Ward, the music smoothly moves from buffa ensembles to individual moments shining light on the characters’ doubts. Director Marie-Ève Signeyrole, known throughout Europe for her corrosive shows on power balance, opted for a coming-of-age angle, breaking down the innerworkings of romantic relationships before the audience. What could be more violent than publicly realizing that love is not unequivocal?