The Denise-Pelletier Theater unveiled its programming for the 2022-2023 season on Wednesday. Several great names in history will be summoned on stage, from Carl Sagan to Camus, via Wagner or Louis II of Bavaria.
Posted yesterday at 12:00 p.m.
Four pieces are on the program in the large room. “For once, this season will not be made up of postponed pieces. It’s a totally new object, made up of pieces that had been in my mind for a while,” explains the artistic director of Théâtre Denise-Pelletier, Claude Poissant. “We discover several writings of authors who adapt, remake and sew up so that the theater can be even more open. »
The season will open with the play Because of the sun, by Evelyne de la Chenelière. The latter went to draw on the strong impressions left on her by the works of Albert Camus, in particular his novel the stranger, to create this original piece directed by Florent Siaud. Here the characters of the stranger resume the dialogue. In another era, in another place, their words resonate with Medi, an Algerian immigrant who became a Quebecer. With Maxime Gaudette in the role of Meursault, Paul Ahmarani, Evelyne Rompré and Mustapha Aramis, in particular.
Another creation will follow, in November: If you ever listen to us, by Maxime Carbonneau and Laurence Dauphinais. This piece between fiction and documentary focuses on the Golden Record, a document placed on a probe To travel in 1977 by the team of astrophysicist Carl Sagan and which contains images and sounds testifying to human existence. Robin-Joël Cool, Olivier Morin and Evelyne Rompré are notably part of the distribution.
In January, it is Balzac who is in the spotlight with one of his rare pieces, the maker, adapted by Gabrielle Chapdelaine. Director Alice Ronfard directs this production which puts the spotlight on a family of corrupters. With Alex Bergeron, Mohsen El Gharbi, Annette Garant, Karine Gonthier-Hyndman and Isabelle Roy, among others.
Finally, the season will close with sky castles, a play written by Marie-Claude Verdier, directed by Claude Poissant. Here, the history of Europe is in the spotlight, as the public is transported to 1864, to the coronation of Ludwig II of Bavaria. Richard Wagner, Empress Sissi and Chancellor Bismarck will also be part of this historical account. Dany Boudreault, Yves Jacques, Mikhaïl Ahooja, Marie-Lee Picknell and Frédéric Blanchette are part of the cast, which includes nine performers.
To Fred Barry
No fewer than eight shows are also scheduled at Salle Fred-Barry. On the program: mask theatre, road trip theatrical, piece with grunge accents freely inspired by Metamorphoses of Ovid, show in English on systemic racism… The choice is vast.
“All these artists are putting themselves in danger and will be creating until the last second,” says Claude Poissant. We feel it when the artist is in his guts, in his stomach. You see it when it’s rich and deep. These are all shows that we wanted to accompany. »
Productions that come to life
Finally, two plays that have been very successful in recent seasons will be back on stage. In the large room, the public is invited to the return of the Dead Poets Society, this time with Renaud Lacelle-Bourdon in the role of Professor Keating. The play will be presented mainly to schools (a performance for the general public is planned) from December 6 to 16. A Quebec tour will follow.
At Salle Fred-Barry, it’s Foreman which will return to service for eight performances in November.