Epic. Grandiose. Massive. Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT) and Canadian Stage are proud to present UN. DEUX. TROIS. by Mani Soleymanlou, created by Orange Noyée in partnerships with Théâtre français du Centre national des Arts, Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, Théâtre français de Toronto, Duceppe, Théâtre du Trident, Théâtre l'Escaouette, Théâtre populaire d'Acadie, Théâtre la Seizième and Théâtre Cercle Molière. Indeed, no less than 10 theatre companies were needed to bring this Canada-wide production to life. The show will run at the Berkeley Street Theatre from October 13 to 16 in the Marilyn and Charles Baillie Theatre. All four performances include English surtitles. The three parts of the show are punctuated by two intermissions, one of which includes finger food.

SYNOPSIS: In ONE, Mani Soleymanlou attempts to determine what exactly defines him as an Iranian living in Canada. In TWO, he is joined on stage by his kindred spirit, Manu (Emmanuel Schwartz), and searches for what he might have missed in his initial quest for identity. A quest that culminates with TROIS.

UN. DEUX. TROIS. is a trilogy conceived by Mani Soleymanlou. A unique theatrical experience involving no less than 40 artists on stage, all from across Canada. Indigenous, non-Indigenous and Métis, what do they have in common? They’re all French-speaking. In the history of Franco-Canadian theatre, never has such a project been orchestrated before. Artists and co-creators stage their personal experiences, their ideas, their aspirations and their frustrations in order to better question what constitutes us, divides us and unites us as Canadians. As an audience, we are invited to revisit our heritage, common and individual; to dream, to dare, to hope; to believe in the value of every human experience and to brazenly clear away the fertile ground that is identity.

UN. DEUX. TROIS. risks it all: without speeches or signs, without rhetoric or empty phrases. A dialogue from Vancouver to Moncton, through Toronto, Sudbury, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Winnipeg, and Caraquet.

From accent to accent.

From coast to coast.

UN. DEUX. TROIS.

Text and Direction: Mani Soleymanlou in collaboration with the artists | Cast: Mani Soleymanlou, Emmanuel Schwartz, Caroline Bélisle, Florence Brunet, Jean Marc Dalpé, Ziad Ek, Nadia Girard Eddahia, Israël Gamache, Cory Haas, Marie-Ève Fontaine, France Huot, Moriana Kachmarsky, John Gislain Kibaga, Anna-Laure Koop, Danielle Le Saux-Farmer, Jean-Christophe Leblanc, Lionel Lehouillier, Carla Mezquita Honhon, Meilie Ng, Dillon Orr, Anaïs Pellin, France Perras, Dominique Pétin, Chloé Petit, Eric Plamondon, Marco Poulin, Caroline Raynaud, Gabriel Robichaud, Marie-Madeleine Sarr, Manon St-Jules, Ines Talbi, Elkahna Talbi, Chloé Thériault, Xavier Yuvens, Jean-Charles Weka and Anais West | Direction Assistant and Stage Management: Jean Gaudreau | Lighting Design: Erwann Bernard and Martin Sirois | Sound Design: Larsen Lupin | Co-Direction of UN and Artistic Consultant on DEUX: Alice Ronfard | Direction Intern: Margarita Herrera Domínguez | Scripts: Sophie Gemme, Chloé Gagné Dion | Technical Direction: Audrey Janelle, Chantal Labonté | Touring Coordinator: Charlotte Ménard | Production Coordinator: Laëtitia Fabaron | Delegated Production: Vanessa Beaupré| Executive Producer: Xavier Inchauspé

Running from: Thursday October 13 to Sunday October 16

Running Time: 3 hours and 40 minutes with two intermissions

Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Street Theatre | 26 rue Berkeley, Toronto

Fee: Regular: $45 | Senior: $35 | under 30 and artists: $20 | PWYC online on the day of: $10, $15 or $20 | Group rate for 8 or more: $25 per ticket

Box Office: 416.534.6604 or www.theatrefrancais.com.

Photo: Scene from Trois. © 2022 Ulysee Del Drago.