Baseball has served as an inspiration for many films, but this iconic sport of the United States is much less present in the cinematic setting.
Presented by the Théâtre Hors Taxes and the Maisons de la culture de Montréal, the fausse ball is a game changer. This celebratory play will be performed free of charge at Eleven Montreal Baseball Diamonds throughout the summer.
“It’s a romantic sport conducive to fiction,” explains the initiator of this project, Jean-Philippe Lehoux, in a telephone interview. I’ve always dreamed of combining theater and baseball. »
inspiration
The idea came to him about ten years ago at La Fontaine Park in Montreal while watching a game between Cubans. The playwright recognized that it was both a sporting and a cultural event, with music, food and children serving to bring the participants and their families together. His show therefore wants to reproduce what he observed at the time.
“That’s the idea of the meeting,” he said. We want people in the neighborhood who don’t necessarily go to the theater to come over and hang out with us. We use the field as a stage to present our choreographed game. The audience will be close to the action. It’s free, it’s very important to us that it’s accessible. »
This comedy tells the story of a group of baseball fans as they play their final game at their favorite field, which is about to be converted into a dog park. It is particularly inspired by the disappearance of a pitch at Jeanne-Mance Park that ball lovers fought in vain six years ago.
“When you destroy such a space, which is very important to these people and forms the basis of a playful community, it is extremely tragic. “In the piece we see the grief that is experienced,” notes Philippe Lehoux, who was assisted in the creation of this work by Yohayna Hernández, Charles Dauphinais and Ariana Pirela Sánchez.
Cultural melting pot
Among the fifteen protagonists are several of Latin American origin.
“This shows the coexistence of local cultures,” the author of the text continues. It’s not the main theme, but it adds color to the show. »
He points out that his work includes a house announcer, mascot, and music, much like in a real game. “It’s a beautiful proposal that has never been made in Montreal,” he adds.
Some districts have even planned parties before and after the performance, with children’s games and DJs to keep the fun going.
foul ball will be played in eleven boroughs of Montreal from June 27th to August 30th.