Products, techniques and tastes evolve both in the kitchen and in humor. The room Yannicko’s kitchen, currently being performed at the Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne, has not taken on the turn of lightness and simplicity. The sauce is too heavy and doesn’t taste good.
The idea of staging this comedy in the studio of a cooking show was really interesting because such shows are so plentiful on our TVs. So we follow the story of Yannicko, a TV celebrity chef with an oversized ego, who faces his new producer, Vanessa. The latter wants to drastically change her show by using her son Ronaldo as co-host.
Instead of focusing on the main plot, which offered a wide range of behind-the-scenes television possibilities, its shortcomings, egos and flaws, the two authors, Pierre Huet and Louis Saïa, seem to have cast a broad net, to be so different Being able to address topics like conspiracy theorists and LGBTQ+ rights…
But if we try too hard to find the right word, we end up getting lost. Ideas and references sometimes miss their target because they are not consistent with today’s society. Who is still joking about Rael in 2023?
Last year the writers had pulled off a feat with “Symphorien,” but this play was set at a time when certain somewhat dubious jokes were allowed, even encouraged. It works a lot less well this time with today’s plot placement.
good actors
The fact that La Cuisine de Yannicko remains wholesome is mainly due to the troupe of actors who give themselves without limits.
Bobby Beshro is quite convincing as the lead actor, while Sylvie Moreau shows a very solid side as the producer. She’s also the one with the most action in this comedy, as her character is the only one who develops as the story progresses.
PHOTO BY JEAN-CHARLES LABARRE PROVIDED BY COMEDIHA! AND MARTIN LECLERC PRODUCTIONS
Bobby Beshro and Emile Dufour
A special mention goes to young actor Émile Dufour, who stands out for his passion and energy in the role of Ronaldo. Joanie Guérin plays a lovable, fragile and awkward assistant, while France Parent, an under-used comedic talent, struggles as much as possible with her over-caricatured characters, like the lecherous lesbian director or the totally insane ex-wife.
Louis Saïa’s staging is dynamic, the use of screens (after all, the story takes place in a television studio) adds an interesting dimension, if a bit excessive at times. But it allows several real TV stars such as Ricardo, Claude Meunier, Pierre Lebeau or Guylaine Tremblay to make surprising and highly acclaimed flash appearances.
The menu at La Cuisine de Yannicko is rich and invigorating. Instead of quantity, we would have wished for a better quality of the ingredients.