Stage echoes | The return of Urban Tales

Twice a month, The Press presents news from the world of theater, circus and dance, in Montreal and Quebec.

The show Urban tales, produced by the Urbi et Orbi Theater, enjoyed great success in the 1990s and 2000s at La Licorne. Its designer, Yvan Bienvenue, returns to the formula this week, crossing Avenue Papineau, to present a new version of the Urban tales at La Tulipe.

In almost 30 years, Urban tales delivered 133 stories written by 74 authors which were told by 112 actors. This 2023 vintage, under the direction of Martin Desgagné and with music by Harry Standjofski, features seven performers who will play seven tales taken from the author’s repertoire of Rules of tales. “It’s a sort of anthology, not a best of,” explains Yvan Bienvenue. Because there are successful stories that are not on the program. »

Over the years, the author believes that the concept had become more and more theatrical. He wanted to return to the source of the “counteracy”. “Storytellers are smugglers,” he says. There are several different approaches to the art of storytelling. From oral tradition to folklore and terroir, including the spectacularization of tales in the 2000s.”

“When I take the metro in Montreal, I see a diversity of people that I don’t find in the theater. Yvan gives voice to these people in his texts,” says actress Julie Vincent, who will tell the story. Sano Mado.

“I have always written social theater,” agrees the author. I come from social work. I studied social sciences before studying acting at the École nationale and doing improv. The story is the theater of urgency, of necessity. The spectator becomes an accomplice of the performers through their gaze. »

Yvan Bienvenue believes that the popularity of Urban tales, and storytellers in general in Quebec, is due to the proximity and accessibility of this speaking on stage. “You don’t have to have a big theatrical machine behind you or a big set. Before, there were Poetry Nights. Storytelling shows have replaced these evenings, because storytelling is a less hermetic form than poetry for the general public. »

Who says urban also says nocturnal, as in Last-ass, the tale interpreted by Dominique Laniel, the summary of which reads as follows: “Neither Madeleine de Proust, nor Madeleine de Brel, Mademoiselle Madeleine is Sano Mado. The one whose loves are unspeakable; the one whose antics make you blush… Blush Santa Claus red. »

Urban tales

Director: Martin Desgagné

With Normand Carrière, Alexandre Fortin, Dominique Laniel, André Morissette, Anna Beaupré Moulounda, Laurent Pitre and Julie Vincent

At La Tulipe, in MontrealFrom December 5 to 9

Also on display

Unbearable long hugs

Successfully created last April, the show Unbearable long hugs is revived this fall at the Théâtre Prospero. This confusing text by the Russian author Ivan Viripaev, brilliantly directed by Philippe Cyr, forms a setting for four virtuoso performers: Christine Beaulieu (sublime!), Marc Beaupré, Joanie Guérin and Simon Lacroix. Winner of the prize for best show in Montreal from the Quebec Theater Critics Association, awarded Monday evening, Unbearable long hugs is almost complete, but two more have been added, on December 18 and 19.

Camping

Established in Quebec, the Théâtre à Tempo comes to Tohu with a show celebrating the glory of camping, with its joys, its miseries and its stereotypes. Dance, circus, music and clown art come together in this production which brings together a host of colorful characters. To know, Camping delighted critics, particularly during its visit to the provincial capital. A show for everyone, lasting 100 minutes (with intermission). From December 13 to 31 at Tohu.

Today tonight

Television has its Bye Bye, the world of theater now has its retrospective of the year, entitled Today tonight. Director Alix Dufresne has teamed up with several great names in the discipline (including Ève Landry, Olivier Morin and Debbie Lynch-White) to put together a show about the theater year that has just ended. We announce a crazy “late show”, with sketches, music and surprise guests. Hurry, there are few places left on December 12, 13 and 14 at the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, at the time of writing these lines…

Tales to pass the time

It has become a tradition in Quebec City. For the 13^e year, the vaults of the Maison Chevalier welcome the Tales to pass the time. This show written by several hands adds a theatrical and sweet touch (a dessert counter is offered!) to the end of year festivities. Maxime Robin is once again at the helm of this production which will this time focus on the theme of superstition. What do you want, we’re not 13 every day! From December 18 to 30 at Maison Chevalier.

Draw in the margins

Teenagers (and adults curious about poetry) are invited to La Maison Théâtre for the show Drawing in the margins – Stand-up poem for part-time ghost. Carolanne Foucher’s collection of poetry for adolescents has been adapted for the stage. The result ? A show for solo actress and drummer, directed by Olivier Normand. An invitation to enter the head of a third-year secondary school student who is somewhat invisible, but whose heart oscillates between heaviness and lightness. Until December 9 at La Maison Théâtre.

Festive evenings

The Petit Théâtre du Nord does it again with its third Festive evenings, presented at the Boisbriand Creation Center. This year, these evenings of unique stories are taking place under the theme of builders of the future. The show will pay tribute to the industries and businesses that have shaped the Laurentides region. On the program: texts by Robert Lalonde, Marianne Dansereau, Jonathan Caron and Geneviève Bélisle, carried by a cast of five performers. Benoît Archambault will be there to add a musical touch to the evening. Until December 16.