If some people believe that nowadays, we can no longer say anything… we advise them to go and see First namea show directed by Serge Denoncourt. Because speech is freed without taboos or filters. In two hours, the characters say out loud what they think quietly. Wielding devastating words and murderous lines like a sword.
First name is based on a simple anecdote and a lot of bad faith.
In the middle of a dinner at his sister and brother-in-law’s (two teachers and young parents who live in Outremont), Vincent, a successful real estate broker, announces to his friends that his wife is pregnant with a boy. Proudly, he then asks them to guess the name chosen for his future son. In vain.
To everyone’s amazement, the young father will reveal to them this unusual name these days, for political and historical reasons… From then on, the evening turns into a night of long knives. The choice of Vincent and his girlfriend (Mikhaïl Ahooja and Noémie O’Farrell, radiant!) will serve as a pretext to settle scores and empty what we have had on our hearts… for decades! The greed of one, the ingratitude of the other, the lies and family secrets, etc.
Sold in 45 countries
First name is the first play by the French duo of authors, directors and screenwriters Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière (The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo). Created in Paris in 2010, the play has been a great success ever since, and its rights have been sold in 45 countries. In 2012, the text was also the subject of a film, directed by the two authors.
In the footsteps of Francis Veber
PHOTO CATRINE DAOUST, PROVIDED BY THE PRODUCTION LES AGENTS DOUBLES
François-Xavier Dufour, Noémie O’Farrell, Benoit Drouin-Germain and Mikhaïl Ahooja in a scene from First name
Following in the footsteps of big names like Francis Veber and Yasmina Reza, the creators of First name are known for their dialogues and their one-liners that hit the mark. A comic first part is followed by a second, more dramatic one, which turns into a world war.
In addition to the chemistry between the five performers, the show’s success lies in its monologues, tailor-made to shine. Let’s mention the delightful final monologue by Élisabeth (the wonderful Karine Gonthier-Hyndman!) and the surprising confession of Claude, the trombone player nicknamed “the enchanted pipe” by his friends (the excellent Benoit Drouin-Germain).
PHOTO CATRINE DAOUST, PROVIDED BY THE PRODUCTION LES AGENTS DOUBLES
François-Xavier Dufour, Benoit Drouin-Germain, Karine Gonthier-Hyndman and Mikhaïl Ahooja (from behind) in THE first name
Serge Denoncourt’s well-oiled but lackluster staging is the same as it was 12 years ago, when the play was produced by Juste pour rire. Maryse Warda’s Quebec adaptation has been updated, with mentions from Jean-Sébastien Girard, François Legault, Québec solidaire, etc.
In France, First name is part of the “private theater” category, to distinguish the show from public and subsidized theater. Here, it is quality summer theater and a very entertaining show.
First name
Comedy by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière.
Directed by Serge DenoncourtPresented on tour in Quebec this summer, then at Duceppe in Montreal in December
Check out the tour dates