L’UniThéâtre always takes pride in telling the stories, contributions and ambitions of the Francophone community both locally and nationally.
Although language and cultural identity are intrinsically linked, artistic director Joëlle Préfontaine is looking ahead to broaden the theatre’s audiences.
“We want to bring plays that connect Alberta audiences – not just Francophones. We want to engage, touch and intrigue a new generation of theatre goers,” said Préfontaine.
The former Legal resident produces a season with four exciting plays – some that were performed across the country for decades and others that are relatively new.
The season opens today with playwright/actor Eugénie Beaudry’s Simone et le whole shebang. Nominated for the Michel Tremblay Prize, it recently premiered at Le Laboratoire Theatre.
The play centres on two seniors living in a long-term care facility in Fort McMurray. Simone-Alice, who is living in the city, has just placed her mother, Simone, in a care unit.
Simone suffers from Alzheimer’s and is unable to care for herself. At the facility, she meets Jessy, an old Acadian cowboy who dreamt of being a country singer. Although full of quick wit, he is no longer mobile.
After being initially abrasive to each other, they develop a friendship. As they open up to each other, their vulnerabilities are exposed.
“We see the characters struggle and talk about what we do as a North American society to our elderly. It’s a hard play to watch. Historically the elderly lived with family and many people took care of them. There is better care in a facility, but we wipe our hands of them and the play shows the aging effect on children,” said Préfontaine.
Directed by Vincent Forcier, the production stars André Royal, Crystal Plamondon, Gaetan Benoit and Nicole St. Martin. The show runs until Oct. 26.
The season continues Nov. 20 to 23 with Surreal SoReal Theatre’s production of Madame Catherine prepare sa classe de troisième à l’irrémédiable.
In this one-woman show, Alice Pascual is Madame Catherine, a Grade 3 teacher. She is concerned the world is a precarious place and gives a presentation on gun violence.
On the last day of school, she prepares a special lesson for her class and its success depends on survival. However, the best laid plans fall apart.
“The anxiety level ramps up. This one will be super intriguing.”
Préfontaine kicks off the 2020 portion of the season directing Michel Tremblay’s international hit Les Belles-soeurs. Through the play’s language, subject matter and respect for working-class characters, Tremblay brought about a quiet revolution on the stage.
In the play’s '60s setting, Germaine Lauzon has just won one million GoldStar stamps that can be redeemed for items in a catalog. She recruits neighbours, family and friends to help fill booklets with stamps. But in this complex world of 15 housewives, jealousies quickly surface.
“We’re interested to see how it ties in with modern society. Is it the same? Has it changed? It’s open for discussion.”
Les Belles-soeurs runs Feb. 20 to 22.
The season closer is Quebecois playwright Simon Boulerice’s Martine à la plage opening April 1.
It’s the summer holidays and 14-year-old Martine is home alone. Dad is away at work and she fantasizes about her neighbour, Gilbert Marcel, an optometrist with a family and a pool.
“She has a very vivid imagination. She’s still a kid, but craves to be an adult.”
All shows carry English surtitles. Tickets range from $20 to $32. Visit lunitheatre.ca/tickets.
