Huge success on the big screen almost 20 years ago, The great seduction reborn in a new form. Indeed, a theatrical version of Ken Scott’s film will be presented all summer at the Gilles-Vigneault Theater in Saint-Jérôme under the title of Sainte-Marie-la-Mauderne.
Posted at 9:00 a.m.
To embody the group of islanders eager to save their hometown from obliteration, the production brought together an astonishing cast, dominated by the presence of singer Michel Rivard and host Normand Brathwaite.
The latter has not acted in a theatrical work since the days of the famous musical Houndstoothestablished in the early 1980s.
accomplice duo
What made him decide to jump into this adventure? “The presence of my friend Michel Rivard. He and I dabbled in theater together at the Ligue Nationale d’Improvisation. I said to myself: there is one of my gang who will be there! »
Normand Brathwaite, who studied at the theater option at Cégep Lionel-Groulx, will play Yvon Brunet, the gruff friend of Germain Lesage (played by Michel Rivard). “Yvon, he cries from start to finish. I don’t think I have a sympathetic retort, except during a more tender scene with my friend Germain. Besides, when I saw that the character said the line “we’re in deep shit” three times, I wanted to do the role! »
For his part, Michel Rivard will camp Germain Lesage, the one through whom all the shenanigans happen. It is he who will use a thousand stratagems to seduce the Dr Christopher Lewis (played by Fayolle Jean Jr) and convince him to settle in Sainte-Marie-la-Mauderne. Because without a doctor on the island, it is impossible to get the plastic recycling plant that would ensure the survival of the small community.
This role of “ramoureux”, Michel Rivard did not take long to accept it. “Including writing and touring, I’ve spent the past six years working solo on The origin of my species. I needed to experience a team project. And like many Quebecers, the film made a big impression on me. In fact, the first thing I did when I accepted the role was not to watch the movie again! »
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Normand Brathwaite finds “his old friend” for this project. The two notably worked side by side several years ago in the National Improv League.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
In rehearsal: Normand Brathwaite, Simon Beaulé-Bulman and Michel Rivard
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The director of Sainte-Marie-la-MauderneFrederic Blanchette
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Fayolle Jean Jr, in the center, embodies the Dr Christopher Lewis: the survival of the community of Sainte-Marie-la-Mauderne rests on his shoulders.
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Michel Rivard has made a few incursions on stage in his career, notably with the play Enigmatic variations presented at the TNM in 2001, where he shared the stage with Guy Nadon. But you have to go back to his beginnings to find a project where he shares the stage with a cast of around ten actors.
I’m an occasional actor, but it’s something I’ve loved since I was little. I’m happy to reconnect with my father’s profession… And at 70, I’m happy to play a character younger than me, a fifty-year-old!
Michael Rivard
Fayolle Jean Jr, meanwhile, was delighted to find that his difference – he is of Haitian descent – was not emphasized at all in the text. His doctor character is a newcomer to the island, which causes his share of funny situations, but the color of his skin is never raised. “It’s not a character that was created for a black person, it’s not a factor. And that’s fun. This is a sign that mentalities are gradually changing. »
From film to boards
To transpose on stage a film like The great seduction is not an easy affair. The action may well take place on an island, but we are far from behind closed doors.
Emmanuel Reichenbach, who was in charge of the adaptation, explains: “The theater text necessarily takes on a different color than the film. We fall in love with history in a different way. In the theatre, the rhythm is different: the dramatic curve remains the same, but we change our breath. I kept the signature lines of the film, but I added others. The characters have time to talk more. Their colors stand out differently. »
The director Frédéric Blanchette will have to use his imagination to recreate certain mythical scenes, including the famous game of cricket! “She is expected to be there,” said Emmanuel Reichenbach.
“Frédéric Blanchette offers a playful staging, but we are not on Broadway, warns Michel Rivard. There will be no big changes of scenery. Everything will be done with mitts, with elbow grease. There is also a comic strip side to the decor. We hope that with this show, people will forget the film: not forever, but for at least two hours! »
Sainte-Marie-la-Mauderne is presented from June 23 to August 13 at the Gilles-Vigneault Theater.