Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, March 27, 2013 – Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT) Artistic Director Guy Mignault unveiled the company’s 2013/14 season this morning at 21 College Street, in TfT’s Studio 21, launching its official subscription campaign. The launch will be followed by a celebration this evening of World Theatre Day.
The 2013/2014 season is made up of:
•5 shows for general audiences;
•1 show for teens in the New Generations program;
•1 show for young audiences.
TfT is delighted to present three of its own productions in this new season:
- Le Fa le do by Luc Moquin ends a 5 year project between Théâtre français de Toronto and Ottawa’s Théâtre de la Catapulte. Le Fa le do follows Albert, an archivist nearing retirement. As he sorts through records at the National Archives, he discovers a tape recording with the anonymous voice of a young woman singing Fado music. (October 2103)
- Les Zinspirés 2.0 - Written by GTA-area students and created and performed by professional artists, Les Zinspirés’ purpose is to give a voice to the youth, its imaginativeness, its dreams and its worries. (November 2013)
- The Precious Young Ladies (Les Précieuses ridicules) by Molière - A one-act comedy of manners in prose that takes a satiric aim at the extravagant and delicate ladies of the French bourgeoisie. (April-May 2014)
TfT offers various subscription packages, adapted to each need. Subscribers can choose either a season subscription of 7, 5 or 3 plays or a flexi-pass of 4 anytime tickets. Subscription prices range from $96 for artists, arts workers and people under 30, to $240.
In response to the overwhelming success of the English surtitled performances over the last 7 seasons, more than half of the performances for TfT’s 2013-2014 season will have English surtitles.
All productions will be staged at the Berkeley Street Theatre, as TfT celebrates its twenty-fourth year performing at this location!
To learn more about TfT’s 2012/13 season, visit www.theatrefrancais.com or call 416.534.6604.
2012/13 Season Schedule
FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES
Le Fa le do by Luc Moquin
October 23 to November 2, 2013
Directed by Mathieu Charette
A co-production of Théâtre français de Toronto and Théâtre de la Catapulte
English surtitled performances: October 23, 25, 26 & 30 and November 1 & 2
A musical thriller, Le Fa le do follows Albert, an archivist nearing retirement. As he sorts through records at the National Archives, he discovers a tape recording with the anonymous voice of a young woman singing Fado music. Mesmerized by her sensual and heart-rending voice, Albert is determined to locate the woman behind it. He becomes unwillingly entangled in a wild cobweb of romantic setbacks, political conspiracies, State secrets, and occult groups. Torn between truth and absurdity, Albert will pursue his quest with the help of Jean-Daniel, the “urban cowboy.” Le Fa le do is a story of people who love and shun each other; an adventure combining the Wild West,
and of course, music.
One (Un) by Mani Soleymanlou
November 27 to December 1 2013
Playwright, Director and Actor: Mani SOLEYMANLOU
Co-Directed by Alice FONFARD
An Orange Noyée production in collaboration with La Chapelle and le Théâtre du Grand jour
English surtitled performances: November 27, 29 & 30
After studying at the National Theatre School, Toronto-raised playwright Mani Soleymanlou decided to write about his own experience growing up in Canada as the son of Iranian immigrants. Un is a coming-of-age and a coming-to-terms story where Mani Soleymanlou seeks an answer to a question that’s been on his mind all his life: “How can you feel Canadian and still be one with where you come from?” CBC’s Jian Ghomeshi called Un/One “a powerful/entertaining meditation on identity”.
Dear Liar: A Comedy of Letters (Cher Menteur)
By George Bernard Shaw and Beatrice Stella Campbell
February 19 to March 1, 2014
Adapted by Jerome Kilty and Jean Cocteau
Directed by: Nicholas Pynes
With Louise Marleau and Albert Millaire
A production of Théâtre du Lac Brome
English surtitled performances: February 19, 21, 22, 26 & 28 and March 1
A serious comedy based on the rich, witty and often passionate correspondence between two theatre icons, the legendary actress Beatrice Stella Campbell and the famed playwright George Bernard Shaw. Over the span of four decades, from the Boer Wars to the Second World War, these artists wrote each other letters in which they shared their most intimate feelings on life, theatre, and fame. Sometimes tender, sometimes spiteful, these letters bear witness to the deep friendship connecting these two kindred spirits and the love they both had for their profession and the stage. Adapted for the stage in the 1960’s by American actor and playwright Jerome Kilty, the play Dear Liar: A Comedy of Letters was later translated into French by the famed poet Jean Cocteau, and stars—quite appropriately—two legends of the Québec stage: Louise Marleau and Albert Millaire.
Horsing around 50 (Mes singeries vocales) by Bruno Coppens
March 26 to 30, 2014
With Bruno COPPENS
Directed by: Eric De Staercke
With Pierre Poucet on the piano
A production of l’Atelier Théâtre Jean Vilar, SPRL Exquis Mots with the aid of la Maison de la Culture de Tournai and Région Actions Sud
English surtitled performances: March 26, 28 and 29
In his witty stand-up show, Mes Singeries vocales, anything is fair game for comic Bruno Coppens! During his performance, he masterfully juggles words and often bursts into song. Bruno recently turned 50 and he’s never felt more disconnected from the younger generation than he does now. His own daughter, he admits, speaks a different language and communicates using devices and social networks he could not even dream of understanding. It was high time for Bruno Coppens to write a show exploring the pains of growing old and highlighting the importance of conjugating one’s life in the present tense. Director Éric de Staercke offers an uproarious mix of cabaret and stand-up, which has already toured Belgium, France, and Québec, where it was met with open arms and laughter. Musician and actor Pierre Poucet also shares the stage as pianist.
The Precious Young Ladies (Les Précieuses ridicules) by Molière
April 23 to May 10, 2014
Directed by Guy Mignault
A Théâtre français de Toronto production
English surtitled performances: April 23, 25, 26 & 30 and May 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10
Moliere, his darlings and other absurd treasures. A one-act comedy of manners in prose that takes a satiric aim at the extravagant and delicate ladies of the French bourgeoisie, Les Précieuses ridicules is considered a crowd-pleasing masterpiece of the French repertoire. In Théâtre français de Toronto’s production, this Molière classic is given a modern and musical setting that reverberates in today’s world, where a book is often judged by its cover.
NEW GENERATIONS
Les Zinspirés 2.0
November 20 and 22, 2013
Directed by Pierre SIMPSON
A creation of Théâtre français de Toronto
English surtitled Performances: November 20 and 22 at 7 PM
School matinees: Nov. 19 at 10 AM, Nov. 20 at 1 PM, Nov. 21 at 1PM and Nov. 22 at 10 AM
For youth 14 and up
Explore thoughts and dreams of young writers – as they try to make it through high
school. Dive into their universe of heartfelt emotions, video games, break-ups, and unlikely creatures. The stories, written by students from across Southern Ontario, are brought to life by TfT’s production team and performed by young professional actors. An exceptional, provocative journey through short stories for teenage and adult audiences alike.
FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
The Workshop (L’Atelier) by La Compagnie Bouge de là
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Direction and choreography: Hélène LANGEVIN
With Audrey BERGERON, Nicolas LABELLE, Jean-François LÉGARÉ and Jessica SERLI.
A creation of La Compagnie Bouge de là
Public performance: Saturday, November 9 at 2PM
School matinees: Thursday, November 7 at 1 PM and Friday, November 8 at 10 AM and 1 PM
For children ages 4 and up
A flamboyant encounter of dance and fine arts, L’Atelier is a show for all audiences interested in the arts, 4 years old and up. Dance joyfully motions the audience through key trends in art history such as Pollock’s drippings, Expressionism, and Pop Art. Each gesture describes a line, a spot, a shape or a colour, and unexpectedly, a work of art is created before our very eyes.
Photo: Guy Mignault. ©2013 Théâtre français de Toronto.
2013-03-27
Toronto: Théâtre français de Toronto announces its 2013/14 season