Westmount-Ville Marie Liberals should choose

To the editor:

There have been many complaints, including those from B’nai Brith

and the Montreal Gazette, about the selection of Joceylon

Coulon as the Liberal candidate in the forthcoming Outremont

by-election.

The controversial selection of Coulon by Stéphane Dion could cost the Liberals votes and may lead to their losing this seat. This could probably have been avoided if there was a nomination meeting, as was held in the Papineau riding, which was won by Justin Trudeau. In fact, such meetings are the usual practice. Giving the local party the right to choose their candidate is a democratic procedure and should be followed, when elections are held. Regrettably, Mr. Dion has stated this will not be done in Westmount-Ville Marie, but someone will be parachuted in, as Lucienne Robillard has stated she will not run in the next Federal election.

One can hope that the Federal Liberal top-brass will change their mind and allow the local party to choose their candidate at a nomination meeting.

Stanley Baker

De Maisonneuve Boulevard



Thanks for encouraging column

To the editor:

I wish to express my gratitude on behalf of everyone here at Repercussion Theatre for the very encouraging Commentary column that appeared in last week’s Examiner.

The article came at a very opportune time as we were engaging in some navel gazing as to the “big questions” of who are we?

Was mounting Molière a wise decision? Should we even do plays in the language of Molière?

Audiences have been lower this year and to some extent that was anticipated given that we had embarked on the “beau risque” of venturing into the other solitude. However, it took Shakespeare in the Park a number of years to build its loyal audience base, and that was with a brand very well known in the anglophone community. Molière en plein air is relatively new, and as you mentioned, his oeuvre is not nearly as well known. Our mandate is to ignite a spark of passion for theatre in those that wouldn’t think to buy a ticket to Place des Arts or the Centaur. We do that by bringing theatre to them, in their communities.

Doing free outdoor theatre is a very challenging endeavor that constantly tests the commitment of everyone involved. Your very encouraging words are a source of inspiration and a reminder of why we do what we do.

Ray Hiltz

Executive Director, Repercussion Theatre