Repercussion Theatre takes on classic French farce

Known since its beginnings as a company specializing in Shakespeare, this year the company has decided to take on the work of a classical dramatist who is often regarded as the English Bard's counterpart in the French-speaking world — Molière.

Presentations in English of the French playwright's last work, les Fourberies de Scapin (Scapin the Schemer), are being staged in Westmount Park on Saturday, Aug. 18 and Sunday, Aug. 19. Both shows start at 7 p.m. and can be seen for the cost of a voluntary donation.

Amanda Kellock, who performed with Repercussion Theatre over the past few seasons, is directing for the first time. She is also the company's first female director and completed a translation of the Molière text used for the play's English staging.

Kellock, who holds degrees in theatre from Concordia University and the University of Ottawa, says Repercussion Theatre has always had an approach to drama that emphasized simultaneous respect and irreverence for the classics. The company has sometimes been the subject of criticism from purists concerned about the loose interpretation of Shakespeare.

"If we challenge the traditional treatment of classical works, it is out of love, and out of a desire as emerging artists to carve our place within the cannon," she said in a foreword published in this year's programme. "Molière himself was a rebel … I think he and Shakespeare would find our modern sense of deference towards their work very amusing."

Repercussion Theatre staged its first Shakespeare in the Park in the summer of 1988, when the company presented four Shakespearean performances to about 800 people. A decade later, they had grown and were playing in front of 45,000 spectators in Canada and the United States.

Three years ago, Repercussion Theatre presented a memorable version of a Midsummer Night's Dream, directed and adapted by Kevin Orr. The critically-acclaimed production, set in 1760s Montreal, was considered a historic moment in Canadian theatre, as it was performed in English, French and Cree.

Mikel Mroué, who plays Scapin, the leading character in this year's play, graduated recently from Dawson College's theatre arts program. This summer's engagement is his first professional contract. Despite that, he shines in his role.

Repercussion Theatre's decision to venture into French dramatic territory is not entirely new. In 2005, the company entered into a relationship with the renowned French classical company, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, which staged l'Amour Médecin, based on Molìère's work, while Repercussion Theatre continued doing Shakespeare.

Pamela Daoust, Repercussion Theatre's communications director, said they learned from the experience that new audiences could be found by venturing into French-language territory, even though TNM's departure was regrettable.

"We noticed that the audiences in Montreal were very receptive to a festival that had an English play and a play in French," Daoust said. "(But) TNM decided to back away from the festival. So we decided to move on and present Molière in French and English."