Ottawa, 25 October 2013 – The Théâtre français of the NAC is pleased to present in a North American exclusivity the play Cendrillon directed by Joël Pommerat, which has enjoyed phenomenal success across Europe since 2011. Théâtre français audiences discovered this exceptional artist last year with La réunification des deux Corées. Joël Pommerat illuminates the contemporary theatre scene with his sensitive interpretations, revisiting fairy tales and popular myths so as to rework, reshape and reinvent them. After Pinocchio and Le petit chaperon rouge, he has now turned to Cendrillon. The writer and director takes on the tale of Cinderella with the deft and humorous touch that characterizes all his work. Accompanied by an impressive troupe of Belgian actors, he adds a rich and surprising tone to a story worn threadbare by time. He has created a stubborn and rebellious Cinderella living in the flashy, crazed realm of her stepfamily, a world of glass and cinders. His Cendrillon – called Sandra but nicknamed Cendrier(Ashtray) – smashes to smithereens all the clichés about fairies, princes and princesses. This must-see show for audiences aged 9 to 79 will be at the NAC Théâtre from November 6 to 9, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

 

As is the case in Little Red Riding Hood and Pinocchio, the heroine collides with the adult world, and also with an initiatory rite (of the sort that help us overcome fear and accept death) in order to consort with love. All the dynamic illumination of the fairy tale is there, but deflected. The castle is a glass house; the slipper a brightly shined shoe. And the fairy is a washout of a magician who chain smokes so as to forget her dull, boring immortality…

Grégoire Biseau, Libération

 

In Joël Pommerat’s version, Cinderella stands at the bedside of her terminally ill mother, who asks that she never forget her. The young girl believes she must think of her every five minutes or succumb to death and darkness. A booming clock that blasts exasperating music constantly reminds her of her oath. Quickly dismissed in the Grimm Brothers’ version, the death of the mother is the beating heart of this story, a stimulating reflection on the links between grief and guilt. Pommerat portrays the young girl as tied and bound, constrained because of what she believes to be her duty, one that leaves her little time to deal with her stepmother – coquettish and harsh – and her two frivolous, hateful adolescent daughters. What can a demented fairy and a naïve prince do to help her get free of her yoke and plunge wholeheartedly into life and desire?

 

Joël Pommerat is true to only that which moves him. Pursuing a personal form of writing stimulated by the presence of actors and meticulous lighting, video and sound, he creates new and disturbing images for the stage, disorienting the ear by means of an apparently simple language that sticks to essentials, stirring emotions by the very strangeness of performance stripped of theatrical convention. He thus creates plays that are utterly accessible, utterly understandable, utterly affecting, as he himself notes. He seeks to create theatre that engages the audience – in other words, great art.  

 

Written and directed by: Joël Pommerat // Cast: Alfredo Cañavate, Caroline Donnelly, Ingrid Heiderscheidt, Catherine Mestoussis and Deborah Rouach // Voiceover: Marcella Carrara // Walk-on Roles: Nicolas Nore and José Bardio // Assistant Director: Pierre-Yves Le Borgne // Assistant Director on tour: Philippe Carbonneaux // Set and Lighting Design: Éric Soyer // Music: Antonin Leymarie // Sound: François Leymarie // Video: Renaud Rubiano // Costumes: Isabelle Deffin

 

Co-produced by the Théâtre National de la Communauté française (Brussels) and La Monnaie/ De Munt, with the collaboration of Compagnie Louis Brouillard.

 

Press Reviews

Impressive, lovely, bewitching, moving, highly original, magnificently presented and marvellously performed, the tale is fascinating and distressing for both children and adults. 

Armelle Héliot, Le Figaro

 

Joël Pommerat has concocted a dreamlike universe underscored by staging that includes superb visual effects. He takes the spectators, old and young, on an initiatory voyage where you’re never bored for a moment, so adroitly does he orchestrate the piece with a fine dose of humour and impeccable actors. 

Hugues Le Tanneur, L’Express.fr

 

Far from noise and fury and paint-by-numbers imagery, here poetry, humour and nuance set the tone as the writer roils the spectator’s gaze again and again. […] One of the most beautiful moments of theatre currently on offer.

Judith Sibony, LeMonde.fr

 

 

 

The Théâtre français at the NAC and the Alliance française d’Ottawa are pleased to join forces in presenting a short, charming documentary entitled Cendrillon, éclats d’un conte. Directed by Jérémie Cuvillier and produced by Axe Sud, this 12-minute film will be projected in a repeat loop in the Salon du Théâtre for one hour before and after each performance of Cendrillon.  

 

 

 

 

This video presents the Mother in Law like you’ve never seen her! Visit the Facebook page of Théâtre français in the days to come to discover other characters from this play.