English theatre shines in Montréal
Richard Burnett
Theatre goers will enjoy blockbuster dramas and rip-roaring comedies produced by some of Canada and Montréal’s most exciting professional and independent English-language theatre companies this Summer 2024.
Musicals, comedy and drama!
Montréal’s two big English-language theatres – the venerable Centaur Theatre Company in Old Montréal, and the Sylvan Adams Theatre at the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts in the west end – offer varied programming.
Centaur Theatre
As part of their upcoming 2024-2025 season, The Centaur presents Sakura, a nostalgia-filled comedy that reimagines Chekhov for the 21st century, following a down-and-out family as they face the impending sale of their beloved orchard (September 17 to October 6).
From Broadway to Montréal
Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical Les Misérables includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear The People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more. Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, and set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Miz follows the fortunes of the convict Jean Valjean who has been imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. The sung-through musical is about broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption in one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. Runs at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier from July 31 to August 4.
Other theatre
Repercussion Theatre’s summertime Shakespeare in the Park tour presents Infinite Variety from July 11 to August 3. Click here for the touring schedule. Nearly all performances start at 7 pm.
In a Mardi Gras-style carnival atmosphere, NEW ORLEANS BLUES is a multi-sensorial musical, historical and gourmet experience. With an all-you-can-eat Cajun meal concocted by top chef Paul Toussaint and a live show featuring 12 musicians and singers, directed by Normand Brathwaite, NEW ORLEANS BLUES runs at the Studio-Cabaret in the Espace St-Denis from June 5 to September 1.
As part of their 2024 professional season, the Hudson Village Theatre presents Canadian playwright Kristen Da Silva acclaimed dramedy Where You Are which tells the story of odd-couple sisters Glenda and Suzanne whose big-city daughter Beth visits their Manitoulin Island home. Not only do mother and daughter clash over everything, but the sisters have been harbouring a weighty secret they can no longer contain. When Beth arrives with some secrets of her own, the women face things that will change their lives forever. Runs from July 10 to 21.
Circus arts
The only presenter specializing in contemporary circus in North America, La TOHU presents the 15th edition of its MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE festival which runs from July 4 to 14 at La TOHU and other local venues. This year’s theme is “Impossible is not a circus” (Impossible n’est pas cirque). The festival will welcome artists and acrobats from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and Québec. Click here for the full program.
From August 16 to 25, circus fans can enjoy the Aeriel Weekend Cabaret show in La TOHU’s Trèfle Big Top.
Cirque du Soleil presents KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities under the Big Top in the Old Port to August 25.
Richard Burnett
Richard “Bugs” Burnett is a Canadian freelance writer, editor, journalist, blogger and columnist for alt-weeklies, mainstream and LGBTQ+ publications. Bugs also knows Montréal like a drag queen knows a cosmetics counter.