Angélique

April 3–21 2019, Mainspace Theatre

#AngeliqueTO

Running Time: 105 minutes
Recommended for ages 16+

Written by Lorena Gale
Directed by Mike Payette

Factory and Obsidian Theatre Company present a Black Theatre Workshop and Tableau D’Hôte Theatre co-production

Based on the true story of Marie Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman who was hanged for setting fire to Montréal in 1734, Lorena Gale’s award-winning 1998 classic draws a line from Canada’s relatively unknown past to our contemporary struggles with racism. Combining historical fact with a thrilling live score and an electrifying script, this musical play gives a vibrant account of Canadian Black history beyond the Underground Railroad.

Content Warning

Angélique contains herbal cigarettes, smoke, strobe lighting, strong language and themes of sexual abuse.

L to R: Jenny Brizard, PJ Prudat. Set & Costume Design by Eo Sharp, Lighting Design by David Perreault Ninacs, Photo by Andrew Alexander

L to R: Olivier Lamarche, Jenny Brizard. Set & Costume Design by Eo Sharp, Lighting Design by David Perreault Ninacs, Photo by Andrew Alexander.

L to R: Jenny Brizard, Omari Newton. Set & Costume Design by Eo Sharp, Lighting Design by David Perreault Ninacs, Photo by Andrew Alexander

L to R: Jenny Brizard, Karl Graboshas. Set & Costume Design by Eo Sharp, Lighting Design by David Perreault Ninacs, Photo by Andrew Alexander.

About the Playwright

Lorena Gale

Born in Montreal, Lorena Gale was an award-winning actress, director and writer who worked extensively in theatres across Canada. Her first play Angelique was the winner of the du Maurier National Playwriting Competition and was nominated Outstanding New Play in Calgary’s Betty Mitchell Awards 98. Her solo performance, je me souviens: memories of an expatriate anglophone, Montrealaise, Quebecoise exiled in Canada, premiered in Eastern Front Theatre’s On the Waterfront Festival in Halifax and was produced at One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo in Calgary, The Firehall Theatre in Vancouver and the Belfry Theatre in Victoria.

Lorena passed away on June 21, 2009.

About the Director

Mike Payette

Mike Payette is a director, educator and actor who has appeared at some of Canada’s finest theatres. As an actor, he has worked at The Citadel, Vertigo, Banff Centre, The Grand, Factory Theatre, Neptune, and the National Arts Centre, as well as with great companies in his hometown of Montreal. Directing credits include Harlem Duet (Black Theatre Workshop), Another Home Invasion (Tableau D’Hôte Theatre), Hosanna and Choir Boy (Centaur), Around the World in 80 Days, The Paperbag Princess (Geordie), Venus and Burning Vision (National Theatre School), Sensitivity (Obsidian Theatre/CBC Gem; 21 Black Futures), Héritage – A Raisin in the Sun (Théâtre Duceppe) along with the national tours of The Tashme Project (Tashme Prod/Centaur/Factory/Firehall) and Lorena Gale’s Angélique (BTW/Tableau D’Hôte/NAC/Factory/Obsidian). Mike is a two-time Montreal English Theatre Award (META) recipient and was the co-founding Artistic Director of Tableau D’Hôte Theatre and past Assistant Artistic Director for Black Theatre Workshop. He was also Artistic and Executive Director of Geordie Productions before his appointment as Artistic Director of Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre in 2021.