Le Pleureur désigné
Synopsis
The Designated Mourner tells the story of three people: Howard — a poet, essayist, and intellectual — who is from a privileged background but who has been critical of the right-wing regime that rules his country. Judy, his daughter, a subtle, witty and deep-feeling woman, who reveres her father; and Jack, Judy’s husband, a protégé of Howard’s who later refutes and abandons everything his mentor stands for. Judy was initially drawn to Jack because he offered a refuge from the high intellectual standards imposed by her father but Jack’s cynicism and his unwillingness to submit to the intellectual hypocrisy of their circle causes deep conflict within the family. When a group that Howard had supported rebels against the current regime, things become increasingly tense and complex. Suddenly issues such as what sort of books people like to read and how they choose to amuse themselves become both grimly personal and unexpectedly entangled with questions of survival.
Wallace Shawn is an acclaimed playwright who has written for both film and theatre. He is probably best known for his film work, My Dinner with Andre (1981), a partially autobiographical film he penned with co-star Andre Gregory. The son of long-time New Yorker editor William Shawn, he is also a prolific and acclaimed actor, having appeared in films such as All That Jazz, Manhattan, The Princess Bride, and Vanya on 42nd Street.
Gallery
Credits
Le Pleureur désigné by Wallace Shawn
French translation Philippe Ducros
Directed by Stacey Christodoulou
With:
- Jean Boilard
- Marika Lhoumeau
- and
- Michel Mongeau
Set Design and Costumes
Eo Sharp
Lighting Design
David Perreault Ninacs
Music
Ludovic Bonnier
Stage Manager
Lori Allen
Technical Director
Isabelle Beaudry
Dates March 27 to April 14, 2007
Venue Théâtre Prospero (Main Space), 1371, rue Ontario Est (métro Beaudry)
Schedule Tuesday to Saturday at 8:00pm
Tickets $24 ($17 students and seniors)
Reservations 514 526-6582