“This Hill Is Never Quiet,” Best Play of the Year for the Montreal Region
This Hill Is Never Truly Silent , written and directed by Gabriel Charlebois-Plante, was named best show.
Quebec Theatre Celebrated at Critics' Awards Ceremony
The Critics' Awards, which have recognized the best theatrical productions in Quebec since 1985, were presented on Monday at the L'Illusion puppet theatre in Montreal.
The top honor for Best Show was awarded to This Hill Is Never Truly Silent, written and directed by Gabriel Charlebois-Plante. The production, a reimagining of the myth of Sisyphus, was created by Création dans la chambre and presented at La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines last spring before being revived at Théâtre Prospero in the fall.
The jury, composed of Montreal-based members of the Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre (AQCT), described the play as capturing “with a disturbing, even overwhelming acuity, the feelings of oppression, inadequacy, paralyzing helplessness, and the inescapable captivity within a system that leaves the individual, at least partially, as his own executioner.” The production was also praised for its exceptional scenography, lighting design, and performances.
For the first time, ten awards were distributed at the ceremony. The Best Original Text award went to Homicide, written by Pascal Brullemans and inspired by the Luka Rocco Magnotta case. The play delves into the psychology of a boy who commits a horrific crime. Dany Boudreault, who portrayed the central character, won Best Male Performance for his ability to embody “countless nuances of emotions and psychological states, ranging from candor to perversion, from hope to cruelty.”
In the Best Female Performance category, Violette Chauveau received the award for her portrayal of late director André Brassard during his final years in La dernière cassette. The monologue, written and directed by Olivier Choinière, was staged at Théâtre de Quat’Sous.
The award for Best Show for Young Audiences was given to Hégémonie, a production by Maxime Mompérousse and Trembler Davantage. Meanwhile, the jury recognized LUCA, by Grégory Carnoli and Hervé Guerrisi, as the Best Show Created Outside Quebec. The production was presented through the Festival Phénoména and La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines.
The Best Direction award went to Virginie Brunelle and Jean-Simon Traversy for their stage adaptation of Royal, a novel by Jean-Philippe Baril Guérard, performed at Théâtre Duceppe. For set design, Geneviève Lizotte was honored for her work on Affaires intérieures, a production by Sophie Cadieux, Mélanie Demers, and Frannie Holder, presented at Espace Go.
Two productions received Special Awards. Arbre, tout un monde was recognized for its unique approach to engaging young audiences with neurodiversity. The jury praised the performers’ sensitivity and adaptability, ensuring an inclusive and enriching experience for spectators with autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disabilities.
Another special mention went to La traversée du siècle, an ambitious 12-hour production presented in seven Montreal theatres. Directed by Alice Ronfard in collaboration with André Brassard, the play highlighted key characters from Michel Tremblay’s works.
The Critics' Commitment to Theatre
Sophie Pouliot, president of the AQCT since 2019, expressed her appreciation for the warm reception at L'Illusion theatre, which has been rebuilt after its destruction. “It’s a breath of optimism in these times,” said Pouliot, who also contributes to Le Devoir.
She emphasized that the event is funded entirely by the contributions of the organization’s 30 members, with all organization efforts carried out on a volunteer basis. “This event serves as a reminder that if we are critics, if we devote so many hours, energy, and heart to it, it’s because we fundamentally love the theatre,” she explained.
Since the end of the Soirée des Masques in 2008, the Prix de la critique remains the only awards ceremony exclusively dedicated to celebrating and promoting Quebec theatre. The awards ceremony for Quebec City productions took place earlier on November 18.
