Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Following a sold-out, critically acclaimed run in Ottawa last fall, Théâtre français de Toronto is proud to present Michel Tremblay’s masterpiece Albertine en cinq temps (Albertine in Five Times). Nominated for five Prix Rideau (Ottawa’s equivalent of the Dora Award), this powerful exploration of the life of one woman during five distinct periods in her life will be presented in French (with English surtitles for most performances) at the Berkeley Street Theatre from April 17 to 28.
In the hour when 70-year-old Albertine calmly awaits her “second death,” she is visited by the women she used to be. With the help of her sister Madeleine, at once her confidante and rival, the five Albertines exchange their experiences and memories, and recall their suffering, their heartbreaks, and their brief moments of happiness. Seventy-year-old Albertine’s serene reflection finally allows her to free herself from the rage, shame, and guilt that broke her life; she makes peace with the lost Albertines — engulfed in anger at 30, in bitterness at 40, finding renewal at 50, and in despair at 60.
Michel Tremblay shows us the true face of Albertine, this complex character from the Chroniques du Plateau-Mont-Royal, as he touches on themes present in all his work, such as the weight of social constraints and family. It is, however, the dreamlike and yet invaluable dialogue between the different Albertines that elevates this script to the outstanding.
Directed by Jean Stéphane Roy. Featuring Mélanie Beauchamp, Céleste Dubé, Geneviève Dufour, Marie-Hélène Fontaine, Patricia Marceau and Lyne Tremblay.
Dramaturg: Antoine Côté Legault; Assistant Director: Fanny Gilbert-Collet; Set: Brian Smith; Costumes: Nina Okens; Lighting: Benoît Brunet-Poirier; Make-up: Annie Lefebvre; English surtitles: Renée Villemaire.
Jean Stéphane Roy, artistic director of Théâtre la Catapulte and instructor at the University of Ottawa, has received numerous awards, including the Masque for outstanding Franco-Canadian production with L’Avare by Molière, staged in 2006 at Théâtre français de Toronto. More recently at TfT, his has directed the Marcel Dubé play Zone.
A coproduction of Théâtre français de Toronto and of Théâtre la Catapulte (Ottawa).
Albertine en cinq temps (Albertine in Five Times)
by Michel Tremblay
April 17-28, 2013
Théâtre français de Toronto
Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs – 26, Berkeley Street
Opening: Friday, April 19 at 8 pm | Previews: April 17 & 18 at 8 pm
Performances: Wed. to Sat., 8 pm – Sat. Matinees: April 20 & 27, 3:30 pm – Sun. Matinees: April 21 & 28, 2:30 pm
English Surtitled Performances: Apr. 17, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 8 pm | Sat., Apr. 27, 3:30 pm
Fundraising Gala & Show: April 25, 6 pm. $125 (surtitled performance at 7:30 pm)
Tickets: Adults: $33 to $57 | Seniors (65 and over): $28 to $57| Under 30: $30 – not available for the opening night nor the Fundraising Gala & Show.
Special discounts available on Wednesday nights with Pay What You Can tickets and on Saturday nights with $20 Rush Tickets (in both cases: purchase at the door, 1 hour prior to performance, cash only).
Box Office: www.theatrefrancais.com and (416) 534-6604 or 1(800) 819-4981
Photo: Cast of Albertine en cinq temps. ©2012 Sylvain Sabatie.
2013-03-08
Toronto: Théâtre français de Toronto presents “Albertine en cinq temps” April 17-28