By Jessica Dionne for Curtains Up (@maccajess)
On cold nights the streets of Montreal often feel deserted and lonely. Boarded up shops with graffiti on the windows and sex cinemas line the streets, their fluorescent signs illuminating the sidewalks with mystery and sleaziness. After seeing an incredible performance of Hosanna at Mainline theatre, I saw the city in a different light and came to the realization that things have not changed as much as we might have hoped since Michel Tremblay first penned Hosanna. An eye-opener in the very least; it is raw, moving, and an overall incredibly human experience.
I would have expected nothing less than to hear Harmonium’s ‘Pour Un Instant’ just before the lights went down and transported the audience back to Michel Tremblay’s Montreal in the 1970s. Over the course of one Halloween night we follow the relationship between Montreal transvestite Hosanna (also known as Claude Lemieux) and her partner Cuirette, as they struggle with identity, internal struggles, and their relationship with each other.
Nearly 40 years after its original production, it was definitely time for someone to bring Hosanna out of the archives and bring her back to life. For the first time in English, Tableau D’Hote and director Mike Payette turned to the translation by John Van Burek and Bill Glasco, both of whom did an incredible job at keeping the essence of Michel Tremblay – that is, the Quebcois ‘joual’ – alive. I must say that for someone with deep Quebecois roots the ‘joual’ was a necessity and there was something oddly satisfying in hearing one of the characters throw a ‘criss’ or a ‘calisse’ into their dialogue.
The play, deeply political and reflective of the post Quiet Revolution era, is still very much a reflection of society today, and is perhaps more relevant than ever. There is urgency in the subject matter and it forces everyone to look at their own identities.
Eloi ArchamBaudoin and Davide Chiazzese as Hosanna and Cuirette were outstanding – as though the roles had been written for them. It was heartbreaking at times to watch them struggle with themselves and with each other, but in the disfuntionality, love prevailed; even at the expense of identity.
Hosanna is an absolute treasure. See Montreal in the 1970s and see for yourself how far we have come and how far we still have to go when it comes to acceptance and identity.
Hosanna runs until March 29th at Mainline theatre. For tickets visit www.mainlinetheatre.ca
