Climb to the Espace Go, The night treatment is a black comedy that is as neat as it is unique.
Born of Evelyne de la Chenelière’s fertile imagination, this creation plays day and night with the concrete and the absurd, dreams and reality. This word friend presents a sophisticated text that uses direct formulas like “What’s the point of dreaming if it’s like life? with lyrical phrases.
Her story features a woman and her spouse having dinner while admiring the landscape and their property tended by their gardener. Then her daughter returns, back from another runaway.
This image is repeated in a loop that takes different tangents according to the explanations given by the four characters. Clinging to these words, the viewer wrestles with conflicting versions of the same story.
The latter remains quite understandable, but still requires an effort of concentration, since it is neither linear nor always coherent. The author has fun with the audience by modifying certain certainties while redefining the plot.
Wonderful Anne Marie Cadieux
Anne-Marie Cadieux shines in the role of this depressed but energetic mother who wants to pretend nothing happened when her daughter reappears. The latter is played by Marie-Pier Labrecque. Henri Chassé slips into his father’s shoes, while Lyndz Dantiste plays the gardener.
This solid cast is masterfully led by Denis Marleau. Its staging is surgical. All gestures, intonations and rhythm seem carefully measured in this proposal, which lasts only an hour.
Stéphanie Jasmin’s scenography and video also deserve respect. The stylish decor is just perfect. It is extremely successful work.
Focused on words rather than deeds, this piece certainly isn’t for everyone, but it will appeal to those who like to think outside the box.
The room The night treatment will be presented at Espace Go until April 2nd.
- The night treatment ★★★1⁄2
Directed by Denis Marleau
With Anne-Marie Cadieux, Henri Chassé, Lyndz Dantiste and Marie-Pier Labrecque.