In 2019, the Frenchwoman Noémie de Lattre created Feminist for Men, a solo in which she dares to address, with disarming humour, brandishing an iron fist in a velvet glove, the ins and outs of patriarchy. After having presented it only six times in the fall of 2021, Sophie Cadieux is back these days at Usine C to defend the Quebec version of the show, an adaptation of Rébecca Déraspe directed by Alix Dufresne and produced by Encore, a group that works in humor while eyeing more and more often the side of the theater.
Imagine a feminist gym, a gym where prejudices are challenged, a vigorous session of Zumba whose objective would be to melt away inequities with regard to women. It is in this playful space, with bright colors, that Sophie Cadieux advances. She wears the sequined jacket like others the coat of mail. The actress is determined, but all smiles. She is confident, but reassuring, specifying several times that she is certainly not one of those women that anger would not make “sexy”. The tone is set for the next 90 minutes, the floodgates of irony are wide open, we will laugh and cringe.
In this implacably mechanical conference, a perfect balance of derision and gravity, of thought and movement, we tackle issues concerning language, gender, politics and economics, but we discuss first and foremost about the female body. It is about sexuality, seduction and reproduction, rape, aggression and abortion. All this without the speaker losing sight of her own position as a cis, hetero, white and privileged woman. One of the most cathartic scenes shines the spotlight on the clitoris. Using a life-size anatomical model, the actress demystifies the prodigious organ with virtuosity.
Subtitled “Survival guide for all (your)”, the show is a perfect introduction to the issues of feminism. A clever juxtaposition of statistics and denunciations, of theories and emotions, of laughter and tears, the adventure galvanizes, liberates and empowers. If it does not expose to new conceptions, if it does not propose new solutions, the solo, borrowing from the codes of stand-up, instructed by laughter. It is a powerful and essential reminder, a vibrant tribute to the fight that has been fought and a clever evocation of what remains to be done.
In a show led by Alix Dufresne, a director who excels in the art of uniting word and gesture, playfulness and denunciation, Sophie Cadieux offers an athletic performance. Taking possession of the stage physically and intellectually, she captivates her audience from start to finish. It must be said that the actress has a score that sticks to her skin. Multiplying references to the history and culture of Quebec, Rébecca Déraspe has done an admirable job of adaptation. Knowing that this essential show, which happily sets the record straight, is about to visit some thirty cities across the province, is heartwarming.