The Théâtre du Nouveau Monde (TNM) was engulfed in flames on Thursday. Even if it was quickly brought under control, the fire forced the postponement of the first performances of the Seven branches of the Ōta River, by Robert Lepage, scheduled for this weekend.
This is not the first time that misfortune has befallen the director’s seven-hour work. The new version was presented in London in the spring of 2020, when the pandemic forced the cancellation of the last performances.
The TNM has not yet determined on what dates the three shows that were scheduled for this weekend will be resumed. The performances of the last weekend of August should be able to take place.
“There is no material damage in the room or on stage. But there was smoke and, above all, water damage. Unfortunately, it seeped into the area of transformers and amps, where sound and electrical connections converge. We have to take the time to fix all that, ”said in an interview with the To have to the general director of the theater, Lorraine Pintal.
The flames started Thursday morning near the landing stage, where expansion work is taking place. The original building was spared, but the building site was damaged. Damage is limited, however, and TNM still expects the new theater wing to be ready by November 2023.
The Montreal Fire Department confirms that no one was injured. The fire was not of suspicious origin. Everything suggests that the fire was caused by construction work on the roof.
The TNM, which has existed since 1951, occupies a building that was built in 1912.
With The Canadian Press