Anton Chekov has secured a place in literary history as one of its most influential dramatists. However, L’UniThéâtre winds up its 17th season with two of his lesser known, but equally brilliant social farces.
Une demande en marriage (The Marriage Proposal) explores the process of getting married and has been interpreted as a satire about the upper middle class and their desperation for marriage as a form of economic stability.
La noce (The Wedding) looks at the foolishness of status when a bridegroom’s plan to invite a general to his wedding backfires as the military man turns out to be a retired naval captain second rank.
Directed by Celine Gareau-Brennan, it stars actors from Ă©cole Maurice-LavallĂ©e and a seniors’ collective. The actors are: RenĂ©e Bouchard, Isabelle Brin, Paul Cournoyer, Madeleine Durant, Rebecca Martel Turbot, Luc D’Ostie, Melissa Masse, Johanne Melancon, Pascal Nadon, Jennifer Peebles, Emile Poindessault and Genevieve Potvin.
The double bill runs May 13 to 16 at 8 p.m. at La CitĂ© Francophone, 8627 – 91 St. Tickets are $24 adults, $20 seniors and $15 for students. Tickets are available at 780-420-1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.
Is there ever a justifiable reason for murdering your own child? People have been debating that issue since Robert Latimer was convicted in the death of Tracey, his severely disabled daughter.
Kill Your Television, an experimental Edmonton collective dedicated to producing plays that provoke thought and discussion, is staging the Alberta premiere of Mourning Dove from May 13 to 22.
Based on the award winning CBC Radio play by Emil Sher, it looks at Doug and Sandra Ramsay, parents of a severely disabled girl whose life is racked by pain and agony.
Her upcoming medical procedure is described as a “salvage operation,” and Doug is unconvinced it will improve the quality of her life. When he takes his daughter’s life into his own hands, no one can predict the eventual fallout.
Kevin Sutley directs this award-winning ensemble cast consisting of Michael Peng, Nadien Chu, Nathan Cuckow and Naomi Gaertner.
Mourning Dove plays at Catalyst Theatre, 8529 Gateway Blvd. Tickets are $25 adults, students/seniors $17. Call 780-420-1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca
