You shouldn’t say that! | The time of truth

For seven years, Guylaine Tremblay and Denis Bouchard have formed one of the most beloved couples of the Quebec public in the series Annie and her men. Here they are again gathered in You shouldn’t say that!a room they have cut to measure for them and their talent.

When we proposed to Guylaine Tremblay to play in this room qualified by the French press as “fine, playful and kidnapped”, she immediately thought of her friend Denis Bouchard. “It’s my professional husband for the past thirty years,” she said. People associate us with Annie and her menbut we also trained a couple in 4 and a half, The little life And the latest film by Denys Arcand. »»

This text, written by Salomé Lelouch, daughter of Claude Lelouch and Évelyne Bouix, is therefore found in good hands in Quebec. The story of this couple, Diane and Normand, who came to highlight her thirtieth anniversary of living together in an apartment rented on the web, could not better hope as performers.

In a verbal exchange which constantly evolves between grave and laughter, this couple lends itself to the game of truth, that which surprises and scratches after being stored for decades in the closet of intimacy and duplicity.

Let’s clear one thing: this piece is not a settling of accounts. “This man and this woman love each other, but they’ve been living together for 30 years,” explains Guylaine Tremblay. As this often happens, they make a point. And there, thorny subjects such as money, pornography, gender identity or cosmetic surgery arise. In a couple, often, we realize that the other does not always have opinions as we imagined. »»

It is also a piece on freedom of speech and the filter that we sometimes have to impose ourselves. Who can say what? When ? To whom? And when?

“At one point, I tell her that she cannot tell my mother that her cake is not good,” said Denis Bouchard. It is not done. »»

Salomé Lelouch wrote this play for his mother and his current spouse, the actor Pierre Arditi. In the original version, the two characters are actors. He has a more flourishing career than his wife.

For Guylaine Tremblay and Denis Bouchard, there was no doubt that the play should be adapted in Quebec language, but also undergo some modifications. In the version that will be played here, the female character is a businesswoman who earns more money than her spouse who is a sculptor. “We sent a first version to the author,” says Denis Bouchard. She made him read to a Quebec friend who told her that it was very good. We worked in this sense. »»

Their secret hut

Not only Denis Bouchard and Guylaine Tremblay adapt and interpret the play, but they also sign the staging. So I was offered to meet them during a rehearsal. What was my surprise to discover that these two big headliners were preparing this production … in the basement of Guylaine Tremblay. “I love this idea of ​​going back to square one,” says Denis Bouchard. This is what I was taught in the theater. »»

Like two children excited at the idea of ​​making me discover their secret hut, they brought me to see their playground. A board was placed between two armchairs. “In our adaptation, the couple rent an apartment on Airbnb and discove that it is not like in the photos,” says Denis Bouchard. It allows us to play with accessories. »»

As no one has really known how to sit in these armchairs, you can expect moments of great humor. “Try to look worthy in these bags,” said Guylaine Tremblay. We give ourselves a certain freedom. We make Lazzis squarely, that is to say improvisation. »»

The pleasure of sharing the scene again is palpable among the two friends.

“There is a kind of safety net when you are on stage,” adds Guylaine Tremblay. We know that no matter what’s going on on stage, we will manage. We understand each other without talking to each other. It’s like two artistic skaters, if one of the two decides to turn right, you turn right. »»

A four -season theater

This production is the perfect example of the new phenomenon that is currently hitting private theater in the summer season. Created on July 4 at the Desjardins de Lasalle Theater, the play will then be presented in Gatineau (Odyssey room) and Saint-Hyacinthe (Juliette-Lassonde arts center), before making a long tour throughout the provinces.

There are several other examples of this approach. We are no longer talking about summer theater, but four -season theater.

Accustomed to this quality framework, the public expects to receive quality productions, regardless of the period of the year. This network of rooms makes it possible to establish tours which ensure a greater number of representations for producers and actors.

“I’m going to talk to myself, but I’m tired of playing a show 24 times,” said Guylaine Tremblay. It takes you 10 shows to be in your boots. We are not like humorists who run long and who then go on tour for 250 shows. We repeat two months and we play a month. »»

Denis Bouchard abounds in the same direction. These tours allow him to live the reality of his profession thoroughly. “I like the idea that from 4 p.m., I am dedicated to the show,” he says.

Until the end of our interview, I felt that a real passion always animates and still these two experienced actors. It is beautiful to see how actors who have been practicing this job for about 40 years continue to take it seriously while retaining the pleasure which must accompany it. “Listening, it’s not complicated, we have become soil and goblet for a few weeks,” says Denis Bouchard.

The two friends know that for the next few months, they will meet the public and that there is nothing to equal the emotions experienced on a scene, especially when you have fun making the truth burst.

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