Peau d’âne

A feminist fairy tale on stage

Against a pink background, we see the silhouette of a young girl who seems to be taking flight. She's wearing white tights and a black dress, and her upper body is a huge donkey's head.
  • In-person event

  • Français
  • Ages 14+

  • Approx. 1 hour  and  30 minutes
Performance options Start time Language Availability
Friday, November 1, 2024 10:30 am French Seats available

“Mirrors and metamorphoses ”

A girl is born in the straw of a strange phantasmagorical car-wash stable, already faced with a vicious question of gender: How many skins and costumes will she have to wear over her life to don all of the feminine identities society has in store for her? The surreal ambiance evokes an astounding metamorphosis, a moulting: the tale of a woman on a quest for a skin the colour of freedom. 

When her mother dies, a young princess dons a magic female donkey’s skin to escape the lecherous gaze of her own father, the king, who has already begun hunting for someone to replace the queen at his side on the throne. This chilling tale is of a bygone era yet deals with burning current issues, presented in a unique theatre setting that mixes poetry, set wizardry, and wild anachronisms. For an extra touch of boldness all of the characters are portrayed by two magnetic performers, Sophie Cadieux and Éric Bernier. 

Like a waking dream, this bewitching play created by actor and director Félix-Antoine Boutin will rekindle audiences memories of the technicolour films, iconographies and countless versions of this coming-of-age tale, in which a girl becomes a woman, and a brilliant dress becomes an interior landscape. 

*Reality is okay, but sometimes it’s good to get away from it: teens aged 12 and over, who are fans of unusual and whimsical worlds, are invited! 

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 this 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

  • felix-antoine-boutin
    Text and direction Félix-Antoine Boutin
  • photo-sophie-cadieux-cr-kelly-jacob
    Text, direction, and interpretation Sophie Cadieux
  • Interpretation Éric Bernier
  • Text and direction Félix-Antoine Boutin and Sophie Cadieux 
  • Based on the tale by Charles Perrault
  • With Sophie Cadieux and Éric Bernier
  • Dramaturgs Alexia Bürger and Elen Ewing
  • Assistant Director and Stage Manager Audrey Belzile
  • Costumes Elen Ewing
  • Set Design Max-Otto Fauteux
  • Lightning Julie Basse 
  • Music Antoine Bédard
  • Makeup and Hairstyles Véronique St-Germain
  • Movement Simon Renaud
  • Production Théâtre Denise-Pelletier and Création Dans la Chambre
  • Co-Production 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.