What pieces to watch this winter? Our journalists give you their theatrical suggestions, between reality and fiction.
Mauritius
Anne-Marie Olivier resumes her moving show Mauritius, presented at Périscope in Quebec City last fall. This play full of humanity is written and performed by Olivier, also with Michèle Motard, directed by Olivier Arteau. For this text, the author was inspired by her meeting with Maurice Dancause, a brilliant man, crushed by life, but who clings to the light. There are only a few places left per performance, but a tour is planned after Montreal. At the intimate hall of the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, from January 17 to February 4.
Luc Baker, The Press
Thousand
PHOTO KELLY JACOB, PROVIDED BY LE THREESOUS
The destiny of Monique Spaziani is at the heart of the play Thousandwritten by Olivier Kemeid.
Reality and fiction intertwine in this intriguing play by Olivier Kemeid and directed by Mani Soleymanlou. The personal story of actress Monique Spaziani serves as the backstory of the show. Accompanied on stage by her daughter Philomène Bilodeau and her brother Robert Polka, the actress from northern Italy returns to the footsteps of a mysterious French spy who could be her father. An intimate investigation that also lingers on the convulsions of history. From February 28 to March 25 at the Théâtre de Quat’sous.
Stephanie Morin, The Press
Chocolate
PHOTO SARAH ROULEAU, PROVIDED BY LA LICORNE
Phara Thibault signs a first text entitled Chocolate.
The author and actress Phara Thibault signs this first autobiographical text which recounts her life as a young black girl in a tiny village in Quebec where diversity is non-existent. Born in Haiti and adopted at almost 3 years old, she had to learn to build herself despite this difference that she carries like a burden. This “frank and lucid monologue on the ordinary racism present in our society” received the first prize at the 26e Egregore competition. A show that promises to be powerful, directed by Marie-Ève Milot. From March 6 to April 14, at La Petite Licorne.
Stephanie Morin, The Press
Unbearable long embraces
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, PRESS ARCHIVES
Christine Beaulieu is part of the sparkling cast of the play Unbearable long embraces.
The playwright Ivan Viripaev, who notably signed drunk, is back at the Prospero. This time, the theater on rue Ontario is tackling a “puzzling text” never staged in Quebec, where it is about mysticism and the quest for the absolute of four adrift thirtysomethings. Philippe Cyr directs for the occasion a sparkling cast composed of Christine Beaulieu, Marc Beaupré, Joanie Guérin and Simon Lacroix. Promising. From March 28 to April 15 at Prospero.
Stephanie Morin, The Press
Rome
PHOTO MARJORIE GUINDON, PROVIDED BY SIBYLLINES
The show Rome will consist of five consecutive adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays.
The project is ambitious and has been making us salivate since it was announced. The director Brigitte Haentjens has decided to bring together in a single show the adaptations of Shakespeare’s five Roman plays, namely The Rape of Lucretius, Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra and Titus Andronicus. About thirty performers from all walks of life take part in this six-hour theatrical marathon, including Sylvie Drapeau, Sébastien Ricard, Céline Bonnier and Marc Béland. Dizzy. From April 5 to 23 at Usine C.
Stephanie Morin, The Press
The Riopelle Project (working title)
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, PRESS ARCHIVES
Robert LePage
Director Robert Lepage will create a new play in homage to Jean Paul Riopelle with Luc Picard, who will embody the painter in his prime. The latter will make a return to the theater after 10 years away from the boards. Gabriel Lemire will play Riopelle, young and madly in love with Joan Mitchell, also an immense painter who will be defended in two stages by Anne-Marie Cadieux and Noémie O’Farrell. The piece is produced by Ex Machina and presented at Duceppe, as part of the 50e anniversary of the company and the centenary of the birth of Riopelle, from April 25 to June 3.
Luc Baker, The Press
Star trails
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The actress Mylène Mackay will be on the Rideau Vert stage.
Another big comeback in the spring of 2023, that of Pierre Bernard and Star trails at the Green Curtain. Thanks to the tenacity of Denise Filiatrault, the director will revisit Cindy Lou Johnson’s magnificent play. Pierre Bernard will direct Mylène Mackay and Émile Schneider, two actors “inspiring, whole and who have access to their emotional home to play this fable on uprooting and inner wandering”, Bernard confided to The Press. At the Rideau Vert, from May 9.
Luc Baker, The Press
End Table of Love
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The novel End Table of Loveby writer Larry Tremblay, will be adapted for the theater by Angela Konrad.
The novel End Table of Love, by writer Larry Tremblay, freely inspired by the life of painter Francis Bacon, will be adapted for the theater by Angela Konrad. A dazzling writing which the new director of Usine C will “take hold of to pierce the mystery and violence concealed in Bacon’s paintings”. With Samuël Côté and Benoit McGinnis on stage at Usine C, from May 18 to 21.
Luc Baker, The Press