Le virus et la proie

Manifesto theatre as political rant

Caroline Robert and Vincent Morisset - Studio AATOAA
© Marlène Gélineau Payette
© Marlène Gélineau Payette
© Marlène Gélineau Payette
  • In-person event

  • Français
  • Ages 16+
  • ≈ 1 hour  and  35 minutes
Performance options Start time Language Availability
Thursday, November 23, 2023 10:00 am French sold out

“The scream of the cornered animal ”

Four dynamic performers deliver this scorching political firebrand as if in a single voice, a scream—that of author Pierre Lefebvre. A powerful denunciation of the injustice and violence of the established order. A must-see to ignite your sociopolitical awareness!

An abyss separates the citizens from the leaders of this world. Why is it that, in what we call “democracy,” dialogue with decision-makers seems fake? Under the sharp eye of director Benoît Vermeulen, four intrepid actors deliver this radioactive text, not without sometimes being affected themselves, to the point where bodies and voices become distorted. Speaking directly and incisively to “Monsieur,” an all-purpose power figure, they denounce the brutality of a dehumanizing social system where people are obliged to remain silent in order to take their tiny place on the great wheel of commerce. 

Both exhilarating in its directness and lacerating in its language, this show accomplishes the essential feat of rendering unto theatre the things are theatre’s, namely, its power as a public forum, and thus its capacity to challenge Caesar by looking him straight in the eye. 

Artists

  • Pierre Lefebvre
    Written by Pierre Lefebvre
  • Directed by Benoît Vermeulen
  • Written by Pierre Lefebvre
  • Directed by Benoît Vermeulen
  • With Tania Kontoyanni, Alexis Martin, Ève Pressault and Madani Tall
  • Assistant director and stage manager Ariane Lamarre
  • Lighting Anne-Sara Gendron
  • Music Guido Del Fabbro
  • Costumes and props Estelle Charron
  • Makeup Sandrine Bisson
  • Movement coach Line Nault
  • Technical director Caroline Turcot
  • Assistant of the Technical director Clara Desautels
  • Management director Isabelle Gingras
  • Surtitles, translation, editing and cutting of surtitles Élaine Normandeau
  • Producer Nouveau Théâtre Expérimental
  • Co-producers Festival TransAmériques, NAC French Theatre and Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui

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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.