“In Your Face”: A Season of Direct and Impactful Theater

Montreal’s renowned La Licorne Theater is gearing up for its 44th season, running from September 2, 2025, to May 8, 2026. This year’s theme, in your face, signals a departure from subtlety, promising a lineup of productions that directly engage with the audience, presenting raw and unfiltered stories.

The season aims to spark dialog around uncomfortable yet crucial truths,exploring emotional,political,and identity-related social issues.This approach aligns with a growing trend in contemporary theater, where audiences increasingly seek authentic and challenging experiences. According to a recent study by the Theater Communications Group, 78% of theatergoers are interested in seeing plays that reflect diverse perspectives and address social issues.

Opening Acts: Death, Friendship, and Toxic Relationships

The season kicks off with Mathieu Quesnel’s Trip (September 2-20, 2025), a ceremony-show featuring characters navigating the complexities of death, madness, and spirituality. The cast includes notable actors such as Éric Bernier, Sarianne Cormier, and Yves Jacques.

Following Trip, Lily Pinsonneault’s Holidays (September 15 – October 3), directed by François Bernier, marks the novelist’s debut in theater. This play delves into the evolving dynamics of female friendship and the delicate subject of consent, featuring performances by Alice Moreault and Lou Vincent Desrosiers.

Debbie Lynch-White’s The Wear and Tear of Our Dawn (October 7 – November 15) offers a stark portrayal of toxic relationships. Through a prolonged exchange between two characters, played by Rose-Anne Déry and Kim Despatis, the play dissects the destructive patterns within a couple.

One-Night Special and Encounters: Memory, Loneliness, and Love

Adding a unique element to the program, carte blanche to Christian Rangel, directed by Cédric Delorme-Bouchard, will be presented for one night only on October 16, 2025. This performance, featuring Christian Rangel and Geneviève Bilodeau, will explore themes of memory and childhood through an improvised format.

Vincent Paquette’s Methadone Bertrand (October 21 – November 7) presents an unexpected encounter between an elderly woman and a young delivery man, raising questions about loneliness, the transmission of knowledge, and the unpredictable nature of life.

Ahmad Hamdan’s For Maëlle (October 27 – November 21), directed by Myriam Fugère, follows a young immigrant’s journey as he navigates a new social landscape after falling in love. The play features osama Fares and Sarah Anne Parent in leading roles.

Holiday Cheer and Absurdist Humor Kick Off the Season

As the days grow shorter and the holiday season approaches, La Licorne Theatre is set to launch a captivating lineup of performances. Starting November 25 and running through December 13, The Best of the Bocal Project will showcase a collection of absurd and satirical vignettes crafted by Sonia Cordeau, Simon Lacroix, and Raphaëlle Lalande. This promises to be a unique blend of humor and social commentary,perfect for audiences seeking something beyond the traditional holiday fare.

adding to the festive atmosphere, Mathieu Quesnel’s Pirate project… Christmas ! will run from December 8 to 13. This production aims to deliver a festive and unpredictable theatrical experience, reimagining classic holiday themes with a playful and innovative approach. Expect the unexpected as familiar folklore is given a fresh, contemporary twist.

Exploring the Human Condition: Family, Identity, and the Search for Happiness

The new year brings a series of thoght-provoking productions that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning. from January 12 to 31, 2026, Jean-François Nadeau’s Missed son? will take center stage. Featuring René Bazinet and David-Alexandre Després, this play uses the art of clowning to explore the profound impact of paternal absence. Originally presented at La Licorne in april 2024, the show offers a poignant and often humorous look at the wounds left by broken family ties.

Following this, from January 20 to February 28, Catherine Léger’s comedy, Change Your Life, directed by Philippe Lambert, tackles the contemporary obsession with happiness. Known for her previous works such as Baby-Sitter and Two Golden Women, Léger’s latest play, featuring Isabelle Brouillette, Marilyn Castonguay, steve Laplante, and Hubert Proulx, promises to be a sharp and witty examination of modern aspirations and the illusions that often accompany them.

Navigating grief, Family Secrets, and intergenerational Dialogue

As winter transitions into spring, La Licorne’s programming continues to offer a diverse range of narratives. From March 2 to April 10, Joan Yago’s From There, translated by Maryse Warda and directed by Maxime Dénommée, will follow the journey of a grieving adolescent, portrayed by Félix-Antoine Bénard. This production promises to be a sensitive and moving exploration of loss and resilience.

Adding to the season’s rich tapestry, Johanne Parent’s Ornithorynques will run from march 17 to 21, staged by Anne-Marie White. Set in Acadia in the 1990s, this play delves into the intricate dynamics of a family, exploring unspoken truths and hidden tensions through the interwoven stories of three characters. This offers a glimpse into a specific cultural context and its impact on personal relationships.

From April 1 to 25,Rébecca Déraspe’s Fanny will bring together Marie-Thérèse Fortin and Alexandra Gagné Lavoie in a powerful intergenerational confrontation. The play explores themes of activism and feminist heritage, examining how the struggles and triumphs of the past inform the present. This production is particularly relevant in today’s social and political climate, where discussions about gender equality and social justice are more vital than ever.

Cultural Identity and family Heritage Take center Stage

Closing out the season, Chilling!?! written, directed, and performed by Lyndz Dantiste, will be presented from April 20 to May 8. Set during an evening of dominoes with friends, this play explores questions of cultural identity and family inheritances from a Haitian-Quebec perspective. This production promises to be a vibrant and engaging exploration of the complexities of belonging and the ways in wich our heritage shapes our sense of self.

A Season of Creation and Reflection

Montreal’s La Licorne Theater is marking its 50th anniversary in 2025 with a season dedicated to showcasing the power of playwrights and fostering meaningful connections between audiences and their works. Under the guidance of La Manufacture, which also celebrates its own 50th anniversary, the theater is reaffirming its commitment to being a vital space for artistic creation and critical thought.

Spotlight on “Possessions”: A Haunting Exploration of Memory

As part of its anniversary season, La Licorne presents possessions, a compelling drama by acclaimed playwright François archambault. Directed by Catherine Vidal, the play delves into the psyche of a man grappling with the enduring memory of his mother. The production, which ran from April 28 to May 15, featured powerful performances by Marc-André Thibault and Marie-Hélène Thibault.

The artistic direction of the theater is focusing on the strength of texts to provoke meetings between works and the public.

Subscription and Ticketing Information

Subscriptions and special event tickets went on sale May 13th. Regular tickets became available May 20th at noon. For more information on upcoming shows and ticketing, visit the La Licorne Theater website.

The Enduring Importance of Theater

In an era dominated by digital entertainment, the role of live theater remains crucial. According to a recent study by the Theatre Communications Group, theater attendance is steadily rising, with a renewed interest in experiencing stories collectively. La Licorne’s commitment to producing thought-provoking and engaging plays contributes considerably to Montreal’s vibrant cultural landscape.