For 25 years, Quebecer Carole Fréchette has often been invited to Europe to see the productions of her plays. But the author is particularly proud of the invitation to Printemps des acteurs this year. Less well known than the Festival d’Avignon, the Spring of the Comedians is a major theatrical event. Carole Fréchette is part of its programming, alongside leading artists from the international scene, such as Ivo van Hove, Robert Wilson, Julien Gosselin and Georges Lavaudant.
In Ismene, the author revisits a 2,500-year-old myth of Greek tragedy: that of Antigone, seen through the fate of her sister, Ismene. A secondary character in Sophocles’ play. “His position is neither comfortable nor glorious, alongside Antigone, a timeless heroine. It’s the first time I’ve written a work based on an ancient figure,” explains Fréchette.
I used the tragedy as a historical document to get into Ismene’s head.
Carole Frechette
However, she identifies with Ismene precisely because this character is not a heroine in the history of theatre. “Of course, part of me recognizes Antigone’s courage, she says, but another part is found in Ismene’s hesitation, in her desire to avoid confrontation in order to preserve life. »
PHOTO MARIE CLAUZADE, PROVIDED BY THE THEATER OF THE DISCOUNT
The interpreter of Ismene, Mama Prassinos, in the production of the Théâtre de la Remise, directed by Marion Coutarel, in Montpellier
The author was also shocked by Antigone’s intransigence. “She never asks Ismene what she thinks of the radical act she is about to perform…” This act is to defy King Creon’s ban in order to dig a grave for her brother banished from the kingdom, Polynice. “Antigone said to her sister: ‘Either you are on my side, or you are a coward’”, illustrates Carole Fréchette.
“Does it sound quite like the prevailing social discourse?”
“Indeed, we live in a hyper-polarized world. I find it important to make the voice of nuance, of conciliation heard. I wanted to restore the dignity of Ismene’s words,” replies the playwright.
War and peace
If Ismene refuses to choose between her two enemy brothers, it’s because she wants peace. “But we don’t talk a lot about pacifism these days. It is no longer fashionable, ”laments the author. However, his character wishes to break the cycle of violence and “the chain of the dead”. Two engines of Greek tragedy.
I tried, as with other of my pieces, to give voice to an erased character. A lonely woman wondering where to draw the line between compromise and cowardice.
Carole Frechette
“Courageous and heroic acts are sometimes motivated by cruelty. While in the doubt of the antiheroes, there is a lot of humanity, ”thinks Fréchette.
There is no planned production of this piece in Quebec yet. Too bad, because this very beautiful dramatic monologue, warmly applauded by the public of Montpellier, should also be presented in Quebec. Maybe it’s not polarizing enough for our time?
Ismenedirected by Marion Coutarel, with Mama Prassinos, is on view until June 10, at the Bassin du Domaine d’O, in Montpellier.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Carole Frechette
Who is Carole Frechette?
Carole Fréchette studied acting at the National Theater School of Canada, before reorienting herself towards playwriting in the mid-1980s. Her repertoire includes some twenty plays, including The four deaths of Mary, The seven days of Simon Labrosse, Helen’s necklace, John and Beatrice, Elisa’s skin, I think of Yu. His theatre, translated into twenty languages, is performed around the world.