Lebanese Play “Lies and Likes”: Mandatory for Laughs and Truths

An outright comedy with soul, “Lies and Likes” is a comedy play written and directed by Marcel Ghosn.

Stephanie Atala and Marcel Ghosn play a married couple in a that is world obsessed with social media and social standing (AKA modern day Lebanon). Stephanie gives a humbling and awe-inducing performance which is fast paced and witty with fresh jokes that are powerfully insightful. Her performance was relentless and beautifully timed.

Marcel lent the stage to his wife for the sake of his character, but his presence and mannerisms were so honest that every shrug and internal build up was heard. The content of this comedic play is, shockingly, only a slight exaggeration of reality.

Stephanie portrays a modern day social media obsessed housewife, while Marcel portrays the husband and victim of this obsession. At first, the couple captures our attention with relatable content, and gradually, the actors go on to stretch our thought process to naturally understand the horrors of what is really happening to them, psychologically.

The organic way the storyline in “Lies and Likes” progressed was one of the most valuable parts of the play. The actors gained the audience’s interest and trust through comedy, then allowed the audience to understand the underlying seriousness of the characters. If the play was presented as a lesson at first, the audience would not have been as invested in the story and characters as they were. Although the play featured a married couple, this is merely one example of all the different mindsets and relationships that are constantly being affected by a modern society’s over-investment in social media.

“Lies and Likes” was truly overdue and well expressed, all Lebanese on social media should be exposed to it. 

You can watch the play every Thursday through Sunday from at Theatre Monotat 7 PM until March 27.

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