Student Matinee

Cispersonnages en quête d’auteurice

 Theatre, uninhibited

Four figures standing one behind the other carry a fifth body horizontally above them, creating the effect of a unicorn silhouette.
© Gérard DuBois
© Thibault Carron
© Thibault Carron
© Thibault Carron
© Thibault Carron
  • In-person event

  • Français
  • Ages 14+
  • ≈ 1 hour  and  25 minutes
Performance options Start time Language Availability
Friday, December 6, 2024 10:30 am French Reserve

“On the ethics of non-unicorns playing unicorns”

This performance is presented by NAC French Theatre

Ah, the infamous “you can’t say anything anymore.” It hangs over every conversation these days! This caustic comedy for neurotypical and neurodivergent performers catches the expression of the times in mid-air, throws it into the boxing ring, and puts it on its backfoot, stretched to the point of absurdity. It’s one hell of a show! 

A group of professional actors with disabilities struggle to find an idea for a future play. Everything that comes to mind has its own taboos and flavour-of-the-month trigger warnings. Can you play a man if you’re a woman, an Italian if you aren’t Italian? Ultimately, can you ever play anything other than yourself? Is art subject to our many virtuous impulses more open than ever or more suffocated? 

Theatre company Joe Jack & John rekindles the relevance of issues raised one hundred years ago in Pirandello’s iconic play, boldly betting that they can provoke debate without walking on eggshells. Instead, they invite us to share in on a delightful omelette of a play—one that’s so politically correct, it’s not at all. Warning: May contain sharp eggshell shards! 

Free workshops - Step Into Creation

In order to get a better handle on the world of creation, why not experience a thrilling moment with artists or those who gravitate around them? Learn more about their aspirations, collectively reflect on the big question that move them, or try your hand at their craft in playful fashion. Allow your students to fully immerse themselves in the world of the show, and offer them a richer experience overall. 

This year, let the NAC’s French Theatre treat you to a visit from an artist in preparation for a student matinee performance. Hurry up and take advantage of this limited time offer! Make sure to include the request in your registration form for student matinee tickets.

This student matinee is only offered on condition of a minimal number of bookings.

Artists

  • catherine-bourgeois-cropped
    Playwright, Director and Scenic Designer Catherine Bourgeois
  • Playwright, Director and Scenic Designer Catherine Bourgeois
  • Playwright’s Collaborators Edon Descollines, Jean-François Huppé, Hubert Lemire, Michael Nimbley, Audrey Talbot, Anne Tremblay, Pénélope Bourque, Louis Girandello, Maryline Chery, Guy-Philippe Côté, and Pénélope Goulet-Simard
  • With Maryline Chery, Guy-Philippe Côté, Edon Descollines, Pénélope Goulet-Simard, Hubert Lemire, Michael Nimbley, and Audrey Talbot
  • Assistant Director Alexie Pommier
  • Dramaturg Sara Fauteux
  • Lighting Jean Jauvin
  • Scenic Design and Costumes Amy Keith
  • Assistant Scenic Designer Alizée Milot
  • Surtitles Translator Bobby Theodore
  • Assistant Costume Designer Carolie Delisle
  • Sound Designer Alexander MacSween
  • Composer Andréa Marsolais-Roy
  • Rehearsal Coach Paul Patrick Charbonneau
  • Technical Assistance and Support Matthew Lawler
  • Production Manager Pénélope Bourque
  • Technical Director and Tour Manager Pierre Tripard
  • Production Joe Jack et John
  • A co-production with Festival TransAmériques and Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault
  • With support from NAC French Theatre

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Learning and engagement at Canada’s National Arts Centre is made possible through the support of many generous individuals and organizations from across the country. Arts Alive is generously supported by the Azrieli Foundation, the Government of Nunavut, Canadian North, Calm Air, The River Philip Foundation, The Turnbull Family Community Building Foundation, and The Thomas Sill Foundation. Thank you also to Grant and Alice Burton, Canada Life, A Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Friends of the NAC Orchestra, Donors to the NAC Foundation's Future Fund, The Janice and Earle O’Born Fund for Artistic Excellence, and the donors and sponsors of the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust, the primary resource for youth and education funding at the National Arts Centre.