L’Astrologue ou les Faux Présages, a play conceived “in the style of Molière”
What would happen if leading researchers and artists were to join forces with generative AI to create a play as if it had been written by Molière himself? This is the unprecedented challenge taken on by Sorbonne University and the artist trio Obvious, with the creation of L’Astrologue ou les Faux Présages, a new play born from the convergence of artificial intelligence and classical dramaturgy. At the crossroads of research and multidisciplinary creation, the play will premiere on 5 and 6 May 2026 at the Royal Opera of the Château de Versailles.
Launched almost three years ago, this project is the result of a meeting between two worlds: the French artist trio Obvious, pioneers of generative art, and the Théâtre Molière Sorbonne troupe, under the direction of Mickaël Bouffard and with the participation of PhD student Coraline Renaux. As part of the Molière Ex Machina project, led by Pierre-Marie Chauvin, Vice-President of Arts, Sciences, Culture, and Society at Sorbonne University, this collective has produced a theatrical work that is both historically informed and assisted by artificial intelligence.
Contrary to certain uses of AI, the project highlights the importance of long-term, collaborative work and constant critical scrutiny with regard to the scientific and artistic applications of AI. By feeding Mistral AI with knowledge about the creative process, sources and inspirations of France’s most famous playwright and actor, the Molière Ex Machina team sought to see how far AI could go when closely guided and supervised by scientific expertise.
Although none of the words in this play were written directly by a single human author, every sentence has nevertheless been crafted, tested, scrutinised and refined by a very human creative team, as well as by editorial panels comprising specialists in literature and linguistics. The aim is not to recreate Molière, but to achieve a form of plausibility, thanks to a rigorous method guided by human intelligence. The project also showcases a wide variety of skills and expertise, including costume and set design, music and 17th century acting techniques, which interact with AI to stretch creative boundaries.
Nathalie Drach-Temam, President of Sorbonne UniversityThe Molière Ex Machina project perfectly illustrates how artificial intelligence can be harnessed by human command for the benefit of research, the humanities, social sciences and the performing arts. I am very proud of the tremendous work accomplished by the professors and researchers at Sorbonne University, students and alumni - with a special thought for Georges Forestier, founder of the Théâtre Molière Sorbonne.
From creation to performance
The premiere of this unique play will take place at the Royal Opera of the Château de Versailles on 5 and 6 May, by invitation only.
For press accreditation requests, please contact: presse@sorbonne-universite.fr
Additional performances will be organised at VivaTech on Saturday 20 June, and at the Théâtre de la Cité Internationale in Paris from the 25 to 28 June. The tour will then continue with public performances in France and internationally.
For more information:
• the last press release
• the latest news and a behind-the-scenes video of the play’s creation