Their unwavering friendship despite mismatched personalities, their shenanigans and their thirst for freedom marked Quebec television in the 1960s. More than 50 years later, the characters of Dominique and Denise are brought back to life on stage by Kim Lizotte. The result remains convincing, despite a few slightly heavy-handed humorous detours.
The comedian, screenwriter and now playwright signs with Me… and the other one his very first play. Rather than imagining my black and the big yellow set in 2024, she chose to keep the two women in their own time, more particularly in the year 1967, when the Universal Exhibition was held.
During a particularly busy summer in Montreal, Dominique and Denise’s lives are turned upside down by the arrival of a very conservative English neighbor, Mrs. Clark, but especially by the announcement of a talent contest organized by a handsome guy named Hébert Léotard… Which of the two friends will manage to receive an invitation to join him in the penthouse where he is staying?
This decision by the production to stick to the 1960s was undoubtedly the right one to make. Seeing these two emancipated women evolve in an era that was still stifling for Quebec women reminds us of the extent to which the purpose of Me… and the other one was avant-garde. We quickly realize how far we have come in almost 60 years!
This contrast is even more marked with the very judicious – even brilliant – use of video extracts from the time. In particular, we see men expressing their desire to see their wives stay at home. “A woman who works costs her husband dearly…” Enough to make you laugh… bitterly!
In short, the breeding ground for feminist struggle, openness to the world and the resistance of some men to newly acquired freedoms was extremely fertile. And Kim Lizotte could have dug this generous furrow further by placing Denise and Dominique at the heart of situations revealing the values of the 1960s.
Instead, she chose to multiply the winks to the future with anachronistic references to the show. Big Brotherto Yvon Deschamps, to the electric car or to the fluidity of genres. This sensational hodgepodge of somewhat easy jokes takes us away from what this play could have said about what our society has been. Nothing is more salutary than laughing a little at oneself, but also where one comes from. Yes, even in summer…
PHOTO JEAN-CHARLES LABARRE, PROVIDED BY THE PRODUCTION
The show’s vibrant decor is by Loïc Lacroix Hoy.
That being said, the play directed by Charles Dauphinais brings some nice surprises. Starting with the interpretation of the two main characters. With her very physical acting, Juliette Gosselin embodies a Dominique plugged into the 220, never short of steppettes.
Alexa-Jeanne Dubé is brilliant in the role of Denise, the seductress ready to do anything, including sacrificing her friendship, to achieve her goal: to make a career in Paris. She has the aplomb, the charm and all the gift of the gab that Denise Filiatrault had in the television series. She is, in our opinion, the great revelation of this stage version of Me… and the other one.
The secondary characters are sometimes brilliantly portrayed – Sandrine Bisson is perfect as the stiff Mrs Clark –, sometimes with a weakness that is hard to explain. On the night of the premiere, Henri Chassé seemed to wonder what he had come to do in this mess. His Mr. Lavigueur, manager of the building where Dominique and Denise live, spoke a French that was incapable of connecting with the Marseille, Parisian and Quebec accents… A detail? Perhaps, but a detail that irritates… Especially when you know what the actor is capable of.
Finally, we must highlight the work of the designers, who take us back 60 years. Loïc Lacroix Hoy has imagined vibrant sets that are perfectly in line with the personalities of the heroines. Jennifer Tremblay has designed costumes that are exactly like those worn at the World Expo. Miniskirts, high boots, dresses with geometric patterns. A great success.
Me… and the other oneat the Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne until July 28.
Visit the show website
Me… and the other one
Text by Kim Lizotte, directed by Charles Dauphinais. With Alexa-Jeanne Dubé, Juliette Gosselin and five other actors
Old Terrebonne Theater Until July 28 then on tour across Quebec