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Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT), La Troupe du Jour and Fittonia Films present FLUSH, a dark comedy written and directed by Marie-Claire Marcotte. The play runs at the Berkeley Street Theatre from February 1 to 5, 2023, with English surtitles and the option of multilingual smartglasses (English/French) available.

Synopsis: It all begins with Corinne knocking on the door of a small house, lost in the prairies. She needs to rent a room for her goldfish and herself. Is it possible to share such a tight space with a little girl who’s obsessed with grasshoppers, a wise fool who won’t speak and a grandmother who can no longer endure music? In this dark comedy, a touching quartet investigate the deep meaning of the word “family.”

About the playwright:

Marie-Claire Marcotte (she/her) is a writer, director, actress and producer from Treaty 4 territories in Saskatchewan. She is based in Tkarón:to/Toronto and wherever life takes her.

She has participated in residencies in Canada (Banff Centre — Leighton Studios), Belgium (Centre des écritures dramatiques W-B), France (La Chartreuse) and in Martinique (ETC Caraïbes, Zones, CEAD). Her plays, Flush and Peau, published by Éditions L’Interligne, have been awarded and nominated in Canada and in France. She has been involved in the ideation and co-writing of numerous theatre and film projects. Her screenwriting was most notably recognized at the Los Angeles Film Awards, the Canadian Screen Awards and Webfest Berlin. She continues to assist artists, theatre and film companies as a dramaturg and script editor.

As a director, the majority of her theatre work has been site-specific and influenced by a cinematic logic. Her screen directing can be seen online (TFO network) and she is slated to direct her first feature in 2023. Select acting nominations include Dora, Jessie, SATA, NZ Web Fest and Queen Palm International Film Festival.

She is a graduate of the International School of Comedy in Reggio Emilia, Italy and of the George Brown College Theatre Arts program in Toronto. (source: https://marieclairemarcotte.com/)

Flush in Marcotte’s own words:

“Flush investigates the Little bruises of our souls, the ones that came up to the surface during the most inopportune moments, and the ones that make us close ourselves off to love. How does one learn to love again? This worthy endeavour could take a whole lifetime, amid much clumsiness. While we can often find great humour in such clumsiness, it also elicits much sorrow. I invite you into the world of four characters who are dear to me and who, following a huge shock, try to find their way back to each other. With awkwardness and charm.”

FLUSH
Written and directed by: Marie-Claire Marcotte | Cast: Geneviève Langlois, Chanda Gibson, Felix Leblanc, Hannah Forest Briand | Technical Director & Head Carpenter: Frank Engel| Stage Management: Gabrielle Dufresne | Projection design: Taegan O’Bertos | Lighting design: Duncan Appleton | Set and props design: Brooklynn Bitner with Sightline Designs Inc. | Props Master: Rory Jewiss with Sightline designs Inc. | Costumes: Jeff Chief | Sound design & compostion: Gilles Zolty | Carpenters : Rory Jewiss et Charles Lemire | Surtitles: Shavaun Liss
Running from: Wednesday February 1 to Sunday February 5, 2023
Opening reception: Wednesday February 1 after the performance
Running time: 80 minutes
Wednesday to Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Berkeley Street Theatre | 26 Berkeley Street
Fee: Regular: $45 | Senior: $35 | under 30 and artists: $20 | PWYC online on the day of: $10, $15 or $20 | Group rate for 8 or more: $20 per ticket
Box Office: 416.534.6604 or theatrefrancais.com