Review of From the Time My Mother Told Stories | The Return of the Prodigal Son

The Festival TransAmériques (FTA) began Wednesday evening at the Ludger-Duvernay hall of the Monument-National, with the premiere of From the time my mother used to tell. A hybrid show (dance, theater and music), created by the Lebanese director and choreographer Ali Chahrour.

The latter is inspired by the painful story of his own family, against a backdrop of crisis in this region of the Middle East. It also tells of a double maternal quest: that of a mother who awaits the return of her son who disappeared in Syria and that of an aunt who convinces her son, radicalized by religious fundamentalists, to find comfort and redemption in art.

Moving at times, this show remains quite destabilizing for the general public. The choice of this proposal as the kick-off for an international festival, with a reputation for offering the avant-garde of contemporary creation, is perplexing.

In its form, From the time my mother used to tell is more of a ritual than a spectacle. Ali Chahrour invites us to a ceremony to tell the story of a family tragedy, but also that of a bruised people, condemned to atone for their pain, like an original wound. The wound is raw. Gaping!

We have the impression of witnessing a long lament, of hearing a painful cry in the desert of a violent humanity.

If the theme – the unconditional love of a mother – is universal, the static, solemn staging risks putting off some spectators. Fortunately, towards the end of the approximately 80-minute performance, mother and son perform a few steps of a traditional dance together… We see a drop of hope in this sea of ​​suffering and lamentation. As if art could save the world from its nonsense.

The music remains the strong point of this show, because the very minimalist acting and dancing left us wanting more. The text of the songs and monologues, in Arabic with surtitles in French and English, is also very beautiful and poetic.

Militant turn…

Since the arrival of a new leadership in tandem, in a desire to repair injustices, the FTA has resolutely taken an activist turn. Its management programs shows that give voice to oppressed, colonized and forgotten communities and cultures in the history of Western theater. This artistic choice, shared by other festivals and companies around the world, stands up very well.

However, this cultural diversity must also be found in its programming. With a more varied offering that represents various comments and trends on the current scene. And all tastes of the public.

Visit the event page

From the time my mother used to tell

by Ali Chahrour
As part of the FTA

At the National MonumentUntil May 24

6/10