Centaur Theatre to Premiere MOTHERHOUSE, 2/25-3/23

Centaur Theatre will present the world premiere of Motherhouse by award-winning playwright David Fennario, who won international acclaim for his blockbuster play Balconville and its smash hit sequel, Condoville.

Directed by Jeremy Taylor, Motherhouse stars the multitalented Holly Gauthier-Frankel who tells the story of the working class women employed at the British Munitions Factory in Verdun during World War I. Tragically, the town sacrificed more soldiers to both World Wars than any other place in Canada.

More than 4,000 women assembled artillery shells for the munitions manufacturer during World War I. With tensions running high over conscription, linguistic and religious issues, they risked their lives working with poisonous substances and suffered the loss of fathers, husbands, sons, lovers and brothers. Disillusioned and grief-stricken, they ultimately led a strike against conscription.

"Motherhouse is a spirited tribute to the women of Verdun and a moving drama about the effects of war on soldiers and civilians, deftly blending, monologue, music and even elements of vaudeville. This year is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, which underscores the significance of this powerful play. David Fennario is an unparalleled storyteller and the gifted Holly Gauthier-Frankel brings her dramatic, comedic and musical talents to the piece," says Roy Surette, Centaur Theatre's Artistic and Executive Director.

Best known for her award-winning, one-woman burlesque show, Miss Sugarpuss Must Die!, Holly Gauthier- Frankel was delighted to be chosen for the lead role. She plays the feisty and humourous Lillabit, a character inspired by David Fennario's mother who worked at the munitions factory during World War II.

"I am only 34 but I play a woman who is over 100 years old! Motherhouse is a monologue, a sort of stream of consciousness romp through her life. I perform against a backdrop of images and with an ensemble of talented multi-disciplinary performers. Bernadette Fortin plays traditional folk music on the fiddle and Delphine Bienvenu and Stephanie McKenna play various characters. I see the piece as a giant, beautifully written poem. It's a fiery, anti-war, carre? rouge inspired play!"

Most of David Fennario's plays centre on the working class people in Verdun-Pointe St. Charles, where he was raised. Along with Balconville (1979) and Condoville (2005), David Fennario has penned On The Job (1975), Nothing to Lose (1976), Moving (1983), The Murder of Susan Parr (1986) and The Death of Rene? Le?vesque (1990), all premiered at Centaur Theatre. He also wrote Joe Beef: A History of Pointe St-Charles (1986), Banana Boots (1998), Gargoyles: A Hidden History of Canada (which became Mysteries of Montreal in 1997), Perimeters (2002), Skeleton Staff (2003) and Bolsheviki (2010). He won Chalmers Awards for On The Job and Balconville and received the Prix Pauline Julien from the United Steelworkers' Union for Joe Beef.

Talented young Director Jeremy Taylor is assisted by David Fennario, a team of creative designers and a seasoned crew: Set and Costume Designer Laurence Mongeau, Lighting Designer Peter Spike Lyne, Photo Archivist Pamela Casey, Stage Manager Merissa Tordjman and Assistant Stage Manager Danielle Skene.

Sunday Pre-Show Chat-up in collaboration with The Gazette

Sunday, March 2, 2014 @ 12:30pm Seagram Gallery - FREE
Join host David Johnston, The Gazette's Communities Editor as he speaks with Motherhouse playwright

David Fennario about his play, his inspirations and his oeuvre. Not to be missed!

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