Centaur Theatre Company's GAME OF LOVE AND CHANCE Closes

Centaur Theatre, in co-production with Canadian Stage, presents The Game of Love and Chance, 18th-century romantic comedy by French playwright, Pierre de Marivaux through April 1, 2012.

Directed by Canadian Stage Artistic and General Director, Matthew Jocelyn, The Game of Love and Chance is newly translated by award-winning playwright, Nicolas Billon.

"Marivaux's language is wonderfully rich and layered which made it both a pleasure and a challenge to translate. Early in the process, Matthew and I spoke about remaining faithful to the language in spirit while giving ourselves the freedom to create a contemporary and compelling new version," says Nicolas Billon.

The cast includes the gifted GEmma James-Smith who was last seen at Centaur in Michael Mackenzie's Instructions to Any Future Socialist Government Wishing to Abolish Christmas and veteran actor, William Webster, who is celebrating his 50th year in Canadian theatre.

The Game of Love and Chance centres on Silvia (Trish Lindström) whose aristocratic father, Monsieur Orgon (William Webster), wants her to marry a nobleman, Dorante (Harry Judge). Skeptical about love and marriage, she swaps places with her maid Lisette (GEmma James-Smith) to get a peek at Dorante. Her father agrees to play along with the deception and doesn’t tell her that Dorante is plotting the same ruse and plans to show up disguised as his servant Arlequino (Gil Garratt). The father spills the beans to his son Mario (Zach Fraser) and they both delight in the intrigue. Anick La Bissonnière’s set design enhances the hilarity caused by the confusion over identity.

Pierre de Marivaux wrote several comedies for La Comédie Française and La Comédie Italienne of Paris. He is France’s most produced playwright after Molière, but despite his modern success, he did not enjoy full celebrity status during his lifetime.

More information and tickets.