OTTAWA, 19 SEPTEMBER 2013 – The Théâtre français will be presenting a performance that tells the tale of an extraordinary destiny. Moi, dans les ruines rouges du siècle is the story of Sasha Samar, who grew up in Ukraine amidst the massive upheavals that split the Soviet Bloc. A story as red as the skies over Chernobyl, as the iron-rich soil, as his passion for Nadia Comaneci. Also  red as the images broadcast by the first colour television, as the Red Army, as the theatre curtain he dreams about. Sasha is an actor; he will be performing his life fromSeptember 25 to 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the NAC theatre.

 

The fruit of an encounter between Sasha Samar and the writer and director Olivier Kemeid, Moi, dans les ruines rouges du siècle tells the story of a man trying to rebuild his life as the Soviet Union teeters on the abyss. Assisted by an impressive cast (Sophie Cadieux, Robert Lalonde, Annick Bergeron and Geoffrey Gaquère), Sasha Samar is the incredible narrative of his life, that of a young man who decides to become famous so that his mother, who left the family when he was a boy, will one day see him on television and recognize him as her son. Olivier Kemeid has written a poignant tale full of laughter and the torments so dear to the Russian soul, rich with a lust for life that, despite all the obstacles encountered along the way, never falters.

 

Moi, dans les ruines rouges du siècle is a grand tale, a show that appeals to a broad audience, a piece that is endearing and that touches the heart like few others do.

Brigitte Haentjens 
Artistic Director, Théâtre français du CNA

 

 

Concept: Olivier Kemeid and Sasha Samar // Written and directed by: Olivier Kemeid // Cast: Annick Bergeron, Sophie Cadieux, Geoffrey Gaquère, Robert Lalonde and Sasha Samar // Assistant director: Stéphanie Capistran-Lalonde // Visual design: Romain Fabre // Lighting: Martin Labrecque // Music: Philippe Brault // Movement coach: Estelle Clareton // Produced by: Trois Tristes Tigres

 

PRESS REVIEWS

“Exuberant, tragic and intelligent, the fable imagined by Olivier Kemeid in Moi, dans les ruines rouges du siècleplays brilliantly with Russian history and transcends it. […] Tears are never far from laughter in this powerful fresco where Sasha Samar tells the very moving, epic story of his life, transformed into legend.”

Elsa Pépin, Voir

 

“Every life is unique, but not all of them merit a stage performance. The life of the actor Sasha Samar does indeed, however. His truly storybook trajectory is recounted in a wonderfully funny and touching manner by Olivier Kemeid.”

Alexandre Vigneault, La Presse

 

“It has Olivier Kemeidi’s mélange of poetry and humour, but also a touch of the brio that characterizes his work, a combination of the contemporary and the epic. The piece is brilliantly directed, and more than ably performed by a very impressive cast. […] A must-see.” 

Karyne Lefebvre, Bouillant de culture, Radio-Canada