Théâtre français de Toronto kick off its 2018-19 season with a work by Marivaux, La Seconde Surprise de l’amour (The Second Surprise of Love). A unique comedy that explores the winding ways of love, and centres on two women determined to control their respective destinies. The play will be presented at the Berkeley Street Theatre from October 17 to 28 in French with English surtitles.
Lisette has decided to throw her mistress the marquise into the arms of a knight, so that she herself can marry the man she loves. But the Marquise is inconsolable following the death of her husband one month after their wedding. For his part, the Knight is infinitely inconsolable over the infidelity of his lover, Angélique. The task that falls to the mischievous Lisette is not an easy one. Ruses, blunders, jealousies and denials are all obstacles delaying the ultimate declaration of love. Will Lisette overcome the hesitations of lovers meant for each other?
In this comedy, Marivaux focuses on the idea of new love born from the loss or failure of the first.
Through wit (“marivaudage”), the play takes on a feminist and surprisingly contemporary twist. The characters of the Marquise and Lisette drive the plot and unlike most classical French plays, in this lesser known Marivaux work, women are free to access the truth of their feelings and always act according to their desires.
As he did with Dom Juan and The Liar, TfT’s artistic director Joël Beddows continues to explore the mechanisms of seduction and once again, takes us off the beaten track. In this winding walk full of twists and turns, the disillusionment of love yields to the discovery of a sentimental maturity hitherto unsuspected.
Directed by Joël Beddows.
Starring: Patricia Marceau, Karine Ricard, Pierre Simpson, Nabil Traboulsi, Nicolas Van Burek and Manuel Verreydt.
Set, Costume and Prop Design: Melanie McNeill | Lighting: Laird Macdonald | Sound: Ben Gibson | Stage Management: Xavier Lemoine.
Performances: Wed to Sat at 8pm | Sat Matinee at 3:30pm & Sun Matinee at 2:30pm
Berkeley Street Theatre – Upstairs
Tickets: Regular: $49 | Senior: $40 | under 30 and artists: $20 | PWYC on Weds and Thurs | Sat Rush Tickets: $20 at the door
