After four years of waiting and two postponements, the production of Lysis finally saw the light of day this week. For her last production as director of the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde (TNM), Lorraine Pintal offers herself a grand exit, with a grandiose and hopeful show… But which gets lost along the way.
There is a moment of grace in the middle of the performance of Lysis at the TNM. When a choir of women, most of whom were not born in 1975, performed A witch like any otherby Anne Sylvestre.
You fucking loved me
And covered in satin
You made me a statue
And still I kept silent…
Seeing, half a century after its creation, a cast singing this flagship song of the feminist movement is both solemn and disturbing. Because his words remind us that the fight for equality between the sexes must continue. And its message resonates very strongly in the play by Fanny Britt and Alexia Bürger.
The order of things
So, what if women took major measures to change the order of the world? This is the premise of Lysis. In the era of feminicides, the #metoo movement and the decline in fundamental rights around the world, the authors wonder if sorority can be a bulwark against patriarchy and “ mansplaining » (the play offers us some pearls of paternalistic and laughable remarks).
PHOTO YVES RENAUD, PROVIDED BY TNM
The actresses Olivia Palacci, Bénédicte Décary and Cynthia Wu-Maheux in a scene from Lysis
Revolted by the abuses committed by the pharmaceutical company Forest, activists decide to paralyze the country. By asking women to go on birth strike. At the head of the activist cell, Lysis, a researcher who works for this multinational run by a “ boys’ club » tie. Their manifesto is clear: “As long as our daughters are not free, worthy and delivered”, women will stop giving birth to children!
The response of male power, led by the powerful director of the company, Victor Forest, will be as rapid as it is unequivocal. The government is being asked to pass a special emergency measures law to arrest the activists. And put an end to public disorder.
On a large scale
The TNM produced a large-scale show, with a cast of 17 performers, including three musicians on stage performing the beautiful music of Philippe Brault. We are in front of theater that is both epic and contemporary, with choirs, scenography and elaborate lighting.
PHOTO YVES RENAUD, PROVIDED BY TNM
Lysis is on display at TNM until 1er June.
Fanny Britt and Alexia Bürger were freely inspired by two classics: Lysistrata, of Aristophanes, for the argument of the sex strike by women; Electra, by Sophocles, for the anger of activists thirsting for justice. Unfortunately, the text embraces far too many themes and becomes scattered along the way. The first part focuses on the revolutionary and militant intrigue of Lysis and her group. In the second part, the heroine loses all her means and is consumed by doubt. The play then branches off towards subplots, love and family, which are unfortunately weaker.
We understand that the authors wanted to end their play with a message of love and transmission to future generations. But not at the expense of their committed and revolutionary premise. As if, out of optimism, they wanted to make an omelette without breaking eggs!
The staging by Lorraine Pintal is very successful and well-oiled. The director skillfully orchestrated the incessant ballet of her imposing cast.
In the role of Lysis, Bénédicte Décary is excellent, incandescent. She burns with a fiery fire in several scenes. In the role of Victor Forest, Jacques L’Heureux accurately embodies this man without morals, ready to do anything to enrich himself at the expense of others. He is supported by a contemptuous and complacent prime minister, William Arès, played brilliantly by Jean-Philippe Perras. After his convincing interpretation of Christian in the series The emperorthis actor seems made to play this type of character that we love to hate.
Despite our reservations, this show which brings together artists from all backgrounds and from several generations carries a breath of hope. Both for TNM and creation in Quebec.
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Lysis
(1 hour 50 minutes, without intermission)
By Fanny Britt and Alexia Bürger.
Directed by Lorraine Pintal.
With Bénédicte Décary, Jean-Philippe Perras,
Olivia Palacci and 14 other performers.
At the TNMuntil 1er June