Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes is a thought-provoking drama about power and sex, with the #MeToo movement slowly creeping up on the characters. It touches on the needs of the young vs. the middle-aged, loneliness, and the consequences of choices. This play will stir important discussions on the boundaries between people and how these lines can be blurry.
Jon (Marcel Jeannin) is a successful author and professor at a college. His personal life is a mess. He’s separated from his third wife, he’s lonely, and feels that he is losing his vigor. What worked in his youth, has become out of date. He is working on another novel when he notices a young woman (Inès Defossé) in his neighbourhood. She is a new student in his class. Her name is Annie and for some reason he becomes obsessed with her. She is a fan of his novels, enjoys his class, and is a budding writer herself. Away from home, with few friends, Annie is an awkward loner. She begins turning up more frequently around his home. One thing leads to another and the two begin an affair with Annie making the first move. While the relationship violates the college’s policies, the affair continues secretly for a few months. The end of the affair does not affect Annie’s studies and they move on separately with their lives. They meet again years later but Annie has second thoughts and considerations about their affair. Jon does not clue in. His inattention to her perspective results in her taking strong measures for her story to be heard.
The story is told from one point of view: Jon’s. While Annie seems to initiate the sexual relationship, did she actually do this? Is this really a #MeToo situation? While the affair was inappropriate, Jon does not use his power to control her or her life. But did it affect Annie in other ways? Jon never considers this. While she says she does not regret what they did, she cannot make him see what she wants or needs.
Mr. Jeannin is terrific. He brings flow and bounce and humour to the text. He makes this foolish guy seem sympathetic. Ms. Defossé plays Annie with a coyness and an awkwardness that adds to Annie’s sense of being an outsider. The love scenes are very good, staged like a dance transporting the characters out of themselves. However, the pace and rhythm of the play can be stilted in some places; some scenes lingered too much. Nevertheless, the text and the performances pack a punch.
Every choice has a consequence, even beneficial in that moment. But what happens later when hindsight and experience bring second thoughts? Who is responsible for the choices made? Is it on one person or everyone involved? Can we see beyond ourselves and consider how our actions may affect others? It’s a discussion worth having before future regrets crash into our lives.
Photo Credit: Andrée Lanthier
Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes. Directed by Eda Holmes. Show continues to November 27, at the Centaur Theatre, 453 St-François-Xavier, Old Montreal. For tickets call the box office at 514-288-3161 or go to www.centaurtheatre.com
