On a mission from documentary theatre company PorteParole, Christine Beaulieu launched herself heart and soul—despite her self-doubts and the complexity of the subject—into an investigation of Quebecers’ relationship with Hydro-Québec. The resulting saga is as instructive as it is captivating.

Christine Beaulieu was living and working as an actor ... until Annabel Soutar, with her 20 years of documentary theatre experience, persuaded her to embark on a massive investigation. In the course of conducting dozens of interviews—with subjects ranging from activists to the new CEO of Hydro-Québec (and recently, Quebec premier François Legault)—, sifting through reports, attending public hearings, and doing research in the field, Beaulieu undertook an extraordinary civic initiative.

Thanks to her honesty, friendliness, and willingness to understand, she collected some amazing answers. In five episodes in which she performs as herself (alongside Mathieu Gosselin, who plays 28 characters), she links the political and the personal, statistics and humour, romantic love and self-deprecation.

J’aime Hydro, Christine Beaulieu’s first play, has toured extensively, and earned her the Michel-Tremblay Award and the award for Best Montreal Production of the Year presented by the Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre.

Thank you, Rivers.

Thank you for my morning toasts.

Thank you for warming water under my shower. (...)

Thank you for giving me light on stage right now.

CHRISTINE BEAULIEU, extrait de J’aime Hydro (free transl.)

J’aime Hydro

Written by: Christine Beaulieu // Dramaturg: Annabel Soutar // Directed by: Philippe Cyr //With: Christine Beaulieu, Mathieu Gosselin and Mathieu Doyon // Assistant director and stagemanager: Martine Richard // Illustrations: Mathilde Corbeil // Sets: Odile Gamache // Lighting:Erwann Bernard // Sound design: Mathieu Doyon // Soundscape and scoring: Frédéric Auger //Costumes: Julie Breton // Video: HUB Studio / Gonzalo Soldi // Video technician: GuillaumeArseneault // Technical director: Normand Vincent // Technical director, touring: Jean Duchesneau

Produced by: Porte Parole and Champ gauche
Coproduced by: Festival TransAmériques (episodes 1 to 3)
Performance is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes including intermission

Show’s webpage: nac-cna.ca

Website: nac-cna.ca/en/theatrefrancais

POST-SHOW TALK

There will be a vox-pop circulating in the audience during the intermission on Thursday, November 7. A unique opportunity to share your thoughts, comments, and even address yourquestions if you have any to Christine Beaulieu! That will be edited as a podcast available as of the following day.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Visit nac-cna.ca to explore the new NAC and get answers to your questions aboutbuying tickets, parking, accessibility, etc.

Photo: Christine Beaulieu and Mathieu Gosselin. © David Mendoza.