Because university theater is synonymous with commitment, well-being and openness to diversity while constituting fertile ground for reflections related to societal issues, the Cultural Activities of Student Life Services are proud to present the first production of the 2024-2025 season of the Théâtre Université de Montréal troupe, which allows around thirty members of the student community to have a theatrical experience under the direction of professional directors.
As tradition dictates, the first production of the season is a reading. This year, the chosen text, The erosion of the night, was written by Éléonore Brieuc, a graduate in playwriting from the National Theater School of Canada.
A theatrical reading that reveals how far human beings can go for love
For interpreter Lara Pandev-Hérault, international studies student, The erosion of the night“it’s a fairly absurd, funny and meaningful piece. A couple decides to have a child and protect him from the cruelty of the outside world by moving to Greenland, keeping him self-sufficient, explains the woman who plays the role of the mother. However, when he was 16, his grandmother and a family friend showed up unexpectedly in the house, disrupting the overly calm order of the family.
“This work is so relevant today. With the current state of the world, I think daily about escaping society. This text leads us to wonder if it is really the best solution or even if a solution exists,” specifies Bana Helou, student in preschool and primary education, who plays the role of Octavie, a character she describes as weird, eccentric, scary, emotionally messy and a total diva. “I would hate for her to be my mother, but I would love for her to be my grandmother!” she said.
In addition to these two performers, three other members of the student community will lend their voices to the words of The erosion of the night. They are Badr Beroual (film studies), Emile Collignon (economics and politics) and Jean-Philippe Pilote (communication sciences).
The direction is taken care of by Pauline Benguigui (graduate in international studies from UdeM and the Conservatoire d’art Dramatique de Montréal) and Amélie Clément (graduate in psychology from UdeM and the National Theater School of Canada). Sound design is done by Samuel Guay.
Practical information
The reading of The erosion of the night will be presented on November 28 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Université de Montréal Test Center, located on the 6th floor of the J.-A.-DeSève pavilion.
Prices: $8 for the UdeM student community and outside, $12 for University staff members, $15 for UdeM graduates, $16 for the general public and $5 for children aged 6 to 17. Admission is free for children and teenagers aged 17 and under accompanied by a parent who is a UdeM student.
To attend a performance, simply reserve your place on the online ticketing.
This theatrical reading will also be offered in the form of a radio theater on the airwaves of CISM, 89,3 FMthe UdeM student radio station, January 7 at 5 p.m.
