Theatre francais de Toronto Unveils 50th Anniversary Season

A true cultural institution, a space for creation and place for all Torontonians - Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT) looks to the future as it turns 50! As an integral part of Toronto's artistic community, TfT continues to pursue its goals of inclusion, exchange, and discovery. Today, the company announces the eight productions and collaborations that will mark its 2017/18 season.

The 50th season is the first to be curated by Joël Beddows, who took on the role of TfT's artistic director in July 2016. Entitled Éclats Manifestes, this lineup expresses the new artistic director's wish to expose francophone audiences to new theatrical realities and to proudly demonstrate the strong presence of francophone artists and creators in Toronto - the metropolis from which they draw their inspiration.

The season starts with a special event, marking a new fifty-year-old's debut: Ici, les arbres s'enracinent dans l'eau ("Where trees take root in water"), a surprising show filled with charm and daring that highlights the writings of Toronto authors. This show will be free to our subscribers, with single tickets available at 50% off the regular price, a way for TfT to start the festivities and thank its most generous supporters.

Also at TfT this season: the company will present Americandream.ca by Claude Guilmain from Théâtre La Tangente, a play questioning our need to save face - even with our families - in spite of our dashed aspirations. We then offer the sixth edition of Les Zinspirés, a series of shows that has won numerous awards at the Doras since 2012; and Michel Ouellette's Le Dire de Di ("The Telling of Tel"), a co-production with Théâtre La Catapulte and the National Arts Centre French Theatre, which will enjoy its world premiere at the Berkeley Street Theatre before moving on to the National Arts Centre in our nation's capital.

TfT is also showcasing theatre for young audiences, notably with Petites bûches ("Small Stakes") by Jean-Philippe Lehoux, and Avant l'archipel ("Countries shaped like stars") by Emily Pearlman. Co-produced with Québec's Irreductible Petit Peuple and the winner of the Prix Coup de foudre at Réseau Ontario and the Prix Acadie-RADARTS, this playful and poetic show features two young Franco-Ontarians and is directed by Joël Beddows. It will tour from Vancouver to Moncton via Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Ottawa, and Laval.

For the general public, the company will present F**king Carl, created and performed by Louis-Philippe Roy and Caroline Yergeau, and named best production at the 2014 Ottawa Fringe Festival and new work of the year at the Prix Rideau Awards 2015. TfT then closes its season with Le Menteur ("The Liar"), the baroque comedy by Corneille - the first time this author's work has been presented at TfT.

Joël Beddows is also working closely with several creators on new works, including Alain Doom, playwright-in-residence in 2017/18. During his tenure, Doom will complete his work, Un quai entre deux mondes ("A quay between two worlds"), and continue to work on a play about the Dionne quintuplets.

Given their popularity, TfT will continue to offer evenings with surtitles every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Post-show discussions, providing an opportunity for meaningful exchanges between artists and the public, take place one evening a week, while pay-what-you-can nights are now offered twice a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

And in May 2018, look forward to a spectacular festive gala to mark the launch of a new 50-something!

Full details on the productions, casts, and subscriptions are available online at our newly redesigned website, www.theatrefrancais.com.