Memorable Moments

Here we are on the cusp of a new year. While we look forward to 2020, we pause to reminisce about ten significant moments at our theatre.

Royal Performances

Diana Donnelly and Robert Persichini’s performance in The Last Wife were simply outstanding. A strong supporting cast, gorgeous designs by Michael Gianfrancesco and direction by Eda Holmes completed a memorable production.

The Last Wife: Anne-Marie Saheb, Alessandro Gabrielli, Diana Donnelly, Robert Persichini and Antoine Yared. Photo Andrée Lanthier

Retired Rehearsal Hall

We said goodbye to our Rehearsal Hall of 33 years. The Griffintown building served us well, with the shop below building countless sets and the boards of the Rehearsal Hall above having been worn down by many an actor’s feet!

General Manager Chuck Childs and Head Scenic Painter Daniel Barkley in front of the Griffintown shop.

The Blood Moons, Centaur’s House Band, perform at the closing party at the Shop.

Completion of a new catwalk!

We renovated the upper level of our “C2” Theatre. Here’s a view from above as Paradise Lost rehearses below.

View from above – *Paradise Lost* Rehearsals are underway.

The Set for Shoplifters

Ken MacDonald’s set for Morris Panych’s The Shoplifters was impressive, to say the least. We’re still unpacking, and have plenty of Oreos and dish soap!

Unforgettable moment: Marie-Ève Perron (“Phyllis”) produced a dozen eggs from under her skirt for each show, and Ellen David received a META nomination for her performance as “Alma”. Bravo to the whole team!

Blind Date

We presented the 800th performance of the popular touring show Blind Date (A Spontaneous Theatre Creation by Rebecca Northan)
in our theatre! We also added 2 Queer Blind Date shows and hosted a birthday party for a lot of “Mimis”.

Lili Beaudoin, David Benjamin Tomlinson, Rebecca Northan, and Emma Brager

Centaur’s Best English Theatre Prize at the Montreal Fringe Festival

Jessica Gabriel and Chloe Zinner make up Mind of a Snail, an award-winning shadow theatre duo from Vancouver, BC. See them back in Montreal for the 23rd edition of Centaur’s Wildside Festival, January 7-18, 2020 in Multiple Organism.

Montreal English Theatre Awards: Best Professional Production

Choir Boy received the META for Outstanding Professional Production. Wow. We’re still beaming!

Members of the cast pose for a photo — *Choir Boy* received the Award for Outstanding PACT Production. From left: Dayane Ntibarikure, Lyndz Dantiste, Christopher Parker, Vlad Alexis, Josette Charles, Frantz Charles, Quincy Armorer, Mike Payette, and Julien Valmary. Photo by Vanessa Rigaux.

Party in Paradise

We partied, danced, and celebrated our theatre at Centaur’s annual gala event, and raised $162,000.00! Thank you to everyone who contributed!

A mural by Daniel Barkley adorns the back of the theatre wall.

Our guests and visitors

She The People, Spun by Silk Road Institute and CBC’s Massey Lectures all were amazing guests.

The eclectic range of entertainment from Brave New Looks and the Wildside Festival to our new Queer Reading Series and the wildly popular storytelling visits from Confabulation, illustrates our commitment to producing theatre for everyone.

We seek out and import fascinating productions, such as this season’s Un Poyo Rojo and Century Song, two international successes by unique artists who bravely explore timely, complex issues with innovation, compassion and humour. Why? Because we want Centaur Theatre to be your inspirational hub for lively, informative, thought-provoking exchanges about the world we share.

Ronnie Burkett

Ronnie Burkett brought the Daisy Theatre back. It was such a pleasure to be able to bring Canada’s Master of marionettes back to Centaur for Little Dickens, a hilarious holiday show! Artistic Director Eda Holmes even got to try out Ronnie’s handmade puppets. You all were so fond of Schnitzel, Esmé and the gang that we extended the run.

Happy Holidays from all of us!

Our staff works hard all year round to bring quality theatre for everyone. We make sure to enjoy ourselves too! From our Wardrobe, Production and Props departments, to Box Office, Development, Marketing, Accounting, Maintenance and Front of House staff, we all wish you a wonderful holiday season with plenty of good cheer.

See you in 2020!