After nearly three years of hard work, Shakespeare’s Richard III was at last on the stage of the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde in Montreal, and will soon be presented at the NAC’s Théâtre français in April. In staging this monumental piece, director Brigitte Haentjens worked closely with Sébastien Ricard, whom she had previously directed in La nuit juste avant les forêts and L’Opéra de Quat’Sous. He is accompanied onstage by an incredible cast: Sylvie Drapeau, Marc Béland, Monique Miller, Paul Savoie, Louise Laprade, Emmanuel Schwartz, Étienne Pilon, Hubert Proulx, Olivier Morin and Sophie Desmarais.
Here is what theatre critics are saying about Richard III so far:
“Crystal-clear is the term that springs to mind after watching this Richard III. The text, the translation and the staging form a well-considered, cohesive ensemble that is clear and straightforward. One year of work and confident, emphatic directing make this production a great moment of theatre.”
– Richard III: la beauté de la laideur, Mario Cloutier, La Presse
“Sébastien Ricard evokes the modernity of a character who triumphs through sheer force of will, the triumphant, self-made man of the American dream who is much admired, despite his morally dubious actions. Brigitte Haentjens agrees: This veneration we experience is also due perhaps to the fact that we live in a time devoid of ethics, where Morality with a capital M has disappeared, overwhelmed by capitalism. That’s how I see it. Admiration for such characters comforts a society based on individualism.”
– Sous le sombre soleil d’York, Alexandre Cadieux, Le Devoir
Richard III is produced by Productions Sibyllines in association with the National Arts Centre Théâtre français and the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde. It will be presented at the NAC from April 21 to 25.
