Théâtre français de Toronto, in collaboration with Alliance Française de Toronto, is proud to present Les Fourberies de Scapin, Molière's classic play directed by Emmanuel Besnault and produced by La Compagnie L'Éternel Été and Lucernaire Diffusion. This whirlwind production hailing from France runs from May 30 to June 1, 2024 at the Berkeley Street Theatre, in the Marilyn and Charles Baillie Theatre (formerly known as the Downstairs). Only 3 General Audiences performances are scheduled in parallel with the school matinees!

Les Fourberies de Scapin is, of course, one of Molière's best-known comedies! It's the scene of the sack, the galley! It's a brilliantly orchestrated scheme by Scapin, undoubtedly the most famous, cunning and debonair valet in the French comedy repertoire.

Les Fourberies de Scapin also features the classic theme of thwarted love, as Octave and Léandre, two young men in love, defy parental authority to marry the women they love.

Performed by a dynamic troupe of five actors (Emmanuel Besnault, Victor Duez, Benoit Gruel, Manuel Le Velly and Chloé Zufferey), the play promises to be a lively spectacle, combining music, song and exuberant stage acting - the hallmarks of tréteau theatre.

Emmanuel Besnault's staging not only revisits a classic, but transforms it into a feast of youth and wit, with a physical and rhythmic commitment that has already won over the critics: according to the New York Times, the play is "a bright example" of the current dynamism of young French troupes, while Le Parisien underlines the "explosive and hilarious” nature of the staging.

ABOUT THE COMPAGNIE L'ÉTERNEL ÉTÉ:

Since 2010, Compagnie L'Éternel Été has been committed to producing popular, in-demand and accessible theatre. At the core of its work ethics, the company wants to revive the spirit of ‘theatre troupes’ and prioritize close contact with its audiences. With twelve creations and over 1,000 performances under its belt throughout France and abroad, the company is currently focusing its repertoire with a triptych entitled "Molière / Musset / Chekhov", featuring respectively Scapin, Fantasio and Ivanov.

LES FOURBERIES DE SCAPIN:

PRODUCED BY COMPAGNIE L'ÉTERNEL ÉTÉ AND LUCERNAIRE DIFFUSION CO-PRESENTED BY THÉÂTRE FRANÇAIS DE TORONTO AND ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE TORONTO

Text: Molière | Direction: Emmanuel Besnault | Performance: Emmanuel Besnault, Victor Duez, Benoit Gruel, Manuel Le Velly, Chloé Zufferey | Lighting design: Didier Landès | Production management: Catherine Hérengt | Lucernaire diffusion management: Benoit Lavigne

Show: May 30 to June 1, 2024

Opening Night: Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Performances Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m.

Running time: 75 minutes

Prices: Regular: $45 | Golden Age: $35 | Under 30 and Artists: $20 | Pay what you want ($10, $15 or $20) on the day | Group rate for 8 or more: $20 per ticket

Box office: 416.534.6604 or theatrefrancais.com.

Photo: Scene from Scapin. © 2021 Philippe Hanula.