October 7 - November 2, 2008

Montreal English-Language Premiere

A TARRAGON THEATRE PRODUCTION

By WAJDI MOUAWAD
Translated by LINDA GABORIAU
Directed by RICHARD ROSE
Originally co-produced with Canada's National Arts Center
Starring
VALERIE BUHAGIAR, SERGIO DI ZIO, JERRY FRANKEN,
SOPHIE GOULET, JANICK HÉBERT, NICOLA LIPMAN,
ALON NASHMAN, SARAH ORENSTEIN,
ALEX POCH-GOLDIN

2007 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play
2007 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Director

Described by Wajdi Mouawad as an exploration of “the questions of origins”, Scorched centers on Jeanne and her twin brother Simon, who are summoned to the office of a notary to hear the last will and testament of their mother, Nawal. They are each handed a letter written by their mother; one is to be delivered to their brother and one to their father. The mystery begins, sending them on a journey into their mother’s past, to a Middle Eastern country engulfed in a civil war where she was a political activist and later became a prisoner. Through poetic language and evocative imagery, the play connects the origins of these three members of a family in startling and unforgettable ways.

“a universal statement on the folly of race- and religion-driven wars... Mouawad frequently writes in a poetic vein... [and he] knows how to create moments of memorable comedy.”
- Variety

"At a certain point in this overwhelmingly emotional and excellent play, the whole audience realizes something at one time ... that is the moment that you wait for when you go to the theatre ... that makes us feel we can't just live ordinary lives."
- Adrienne Clarkson

"One of the most moving pieces of theatre I've see in years... Scorched is an extraordinary play, superbly realized." - Jon Kaplan, NOW Magazine

"White-hot epic is a tour de force." - Kamal Al-Solaylee, The Globe and Mail

"...a production that absolutely courses with energy and invention." - Richard Ousounian, The Toronto Star