Bashir Lazhar
by Evélyne de la Chenelière, translated by Morwyn Brebner
March 5 - 21, 2009
Performance Works
Pi Theatre kicked off its 2008-2009 season with the Western Canadian premiere of the English translation of Bashir Lazhar, directed by Richard Wolfe, and featuring David Marr.
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Awards
Jessie Richardson Nomination: Outstanding Set Design: Jergus Oprsal
Jessie Richardson Nomination: Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role: David Marr
Bashir Lazhar is a substitute teacher from Algeria who must bring his grade six class through a trauma that mirrors his own. This celebration of courage is told with humour and conviction in a new translation by Morwyn Brebner, who brought us The Optimists and Little Mercy’s First Murder.
This one-man show is written with great sensitivity by Evelyne de la Chenelière, considered one of Québec’s pre-eminent playwrights. Bashir has left behind his wife and three children and has come to Montréal to prepare for their new life in Canada. His story explores the practical and emotional nuances of living in a multi-cultural society, and raises questions about the relationship between teacher and student.
Bashir Lazhar is a human portrait that touches on the challenges that many new Canadians experience while trying to find their way in a new country, and those we all face as we make our way in a sometimes-difficult world. It is a celebration of survival through love.
8PM Tuesday-Saturday, 2pm matinees March 8, 14,15 & 21
World Theatre Day discount performance Sunday Mar 8, Two-for-one preview Mar 5
Tickets: available through Tickets Tonight, 604.684.2787
Tickets are FREE to the first 20 Pi members at the door for the first week of each of our shows this season! Become a Member.
Directed by Richard Wolfe
Featuring David Marr
Set and Lighting Design by Jergus Oprsal
Original Music and Sound Design by Joelysa Pankanea
Projection Design by Jamie Nesbitt
Costumes by Barbara Clayden
Stage Managed by David Kerr
Production Managed by Jayson McLean
Technical Direction by Elisha Burrows
Publicity by Bridge Communications
See photos from rehearsal here.
See video of Director Richard Wolfe discussing why he chose this play here.
Photography of David Marr and Bashir Lazhar by Tim Matheson
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“Bashir Lazhar feels distinctly Quebecois. That, in itself, may be reason enough to see it…Marr is one of those rave-worthy virtuosic performers. I felt that I really knew Bashir Lazhar by the time the curtain fell and was, again, struck by the courage of refugees.”
Jo Ledingham
Vancouver Courier
“Marr maps out this brilliant bit of writing (and translation) with elan…
Haunting. Charming. Mesmerizing. Powerful”
Peter Birnie
Vancouver Sun
“Deeply, de la Chenelière writes of grief, courage, intolerance and more, with Marr embodying all these.
Malcolm Page
Plays International, summer 2009
“David Marr’s solo performance in Bashir Lazhar is one class act”!
Peter Birnie
Vancouver Sun
“The subject matter is as intriguing as the people behind it.”
The Georgia Straight
“We had a wonderful evening out as a class. Aside from just being out of the classroom for a change, students were very impressed and moved by David Marr’s performance. Most identified with the character’s problems with fitting in, and a few deeply identified with his experience of being through trauma. Myself, I enjoyed the play very much”
Lynn Horvat
Instructor in the Basic Education Dept. at Vancouver Community College
“The experiences of Bashir Lazhar and many people like him, who come from countries of political warfare, are not privy to most North American audiences. Furthermore, it would be extremely difficult for persons who have undergone such traumatic life experiences to ethically recount or speak publicly about them. Yet through Bashir Lazhar, audiences in attendance at this local Vancouver-Canadian theatre can delve into 70 minutes of a world of beautifully crafted tenderness, that challenges minds and perceptions of Canada, through myth-creation, and evolving landscape of identity.”
Amanda Lo
Department of Immigration, Canada Border Services Agency, and Pi Theatre volunteer
“The show was excellent tonight. Thank you to all of you at Pi theatre. Having been a substitute teacher and a newcomer it touched my heart.”
Ciara McGeough
“Just a word to let you know how much we enjoyed the play on Saturday. Thought-provoking and well acted, the play resonated with us long after it was over. I will not hesitate to recommend it to our group of teachers in North Vancouver!”
Lyse Guay
French Programs Facilitator, North Vancouver School District
“Yes, I would recommend the play Bashir Lazhar to my friends because most of my friends are immigrants and their lives are similar to Bashir Lazhar’s life. I remember when they told me how hard it was when they first came to Canada. They couldn’t go anywhere or do anything because they didn’t know the language or the people around them. On their first day of school they didn’t understand anything the teacher or the students said. They felt so lonely and scared. It’s a new life for them in Canada. I think they’ll like the play because it will remind them of their lives when they came to Canada. They’re doing good right now, but sometimes it’s still hard for them when they miss their families back home.”
Thuy, student, Basic Education Dept. at Vancouver Community College
“The play tells us the story of a newcomer facing many problems in a new place.”
Johnny
Student, Basic Education Dept. at Vancouver Community College
“I would recommend the play “Bashir Lazhar” to somebody because you might like this. This story is the one if you are looking for inspiration. If you are a student studying psychology, it would be good practice for reading people. I would say that if you want to listen to people speak, than you should see this play. If you want to be good at speaking, then you should listen to this play. There are other few reasons why you should see the play. If you have anything wrong in your life like stress or mental illness, then you can somehow relate to this person’s life. Because life isn’t perfect.”
Henri
Student, Basic Education Dept. at Vancouver Community College
“This was the first time I enjoyed a play.”