Interview: Valerie Boyle, Lisa Horner and Paula Wolfson of LES BELLES SOEURS

Chatting backstage between tech rehearsals for Les Belles Soeurs, a new English musical adaptation of Michel Tremblay's epic play, I asked 3 of the shows 12 powerhouse performers, Valerie Boyle, Lisa Horner and Paula Wolfson, if they'd ever been in another show with a cast entirely comprised of women. With the exception of Nunsense, they hadn't.

When I ask if there's any truth to the idea that getting so many women together is a recipe for a volatile work environment, the women are quick to dismiss it.

"That's the thing people say," says Lisa, "but it's always the antithesis of what it actually turns out to be."

"You don't want to go into that territory," offers Paula. "In an ensemble show like this, we need everyone together. You don't have to be best friends with everybody, but you need trust. It really is fantastic because there are all different levels of experience and personalities in this cast, and every one is taking really good care of each other."

Adds Lisa, "it's a very nurturing environment, which is nice."

Val takes a moment to reflect that while Nunsense is very much an ensemble piece, Les Belles Soeurs is too. "The fact is that we're all on stage ALL the time. Even Pierrette, who doesn't do much till Act 2, is always on. And the thing about this is everyone gets their little spotlight at some point, so that's why it's a great ensemble piece, even though the focus is on the sisters relationship."

Lisa further explains. "In this one we explore much darker territory. In Nunsense it always seemed like a bit of a marathon -you put your habit on and you run. But in this one, you're thinking about themes and exploring it."

"It's a play that of course all women will be able to relate to," says Val, "but I think men will enjoy it too. There's a lot that men will find they relate to."

Lisa poignantly adds that "these are stories about women that don't get told very often, which is nice."

Val concurs. "It has played all over the world and in so many different countries and several different cultures, and people respond to it; it works, which I find fascinating. So it doesn't have to be just a Canadian or a Québécois thing. It's timeless."

Lisa and Paul agree. "It is timeless."

Tremblay's landmark play, Les Belles Soeurs, is re-imagined in this explosive new musical adaptation premiering at the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts from October 19th to November 9th.

About the Show: When a Plateau Mont-Royal housewife wins one million trading stamps from a department store, her life is turned upside down. Michel Tremblay's landmark piece of Quebec theatre has been translated into over 25 languages and performed across the world. His timeless tale of working class struggle takes on a whole new dimension in this outrageously fun musical celebration performed in English by a stellar all-female cast.

Photo: Top: Lisa Horner and Valerie Boyle. Right: The Cast of Les Belles SoeursBy Racheal McCaig.