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New play by Les Maringouins du Nord

Posted By Kate McLaren, The Daily Press

Posted 4 months ago

Actors Eugene Spadafore and Lucie Pinard rehearse for a production entitled J Commence lundi, presented by local French theatre group Les Maringouins du Nord. The play will examine dieting and obesity. Performances run from April 29 to May 8 in Timmins. (KATE MCLAREN The Daily Press)

Excuses, excuses, excuses. When it comes to dieting, overeaters have tried them all.

Timmins French theatre group Les Maringouins du Nord will examine the world of weight loss, fad diets, and obesity with their new play J'Commence lundi, a comedy written by Timmins' own Reg Tellier.

"The play is a look at obesity through a funny lens," said Tellier, who has written many plays for the group in the past. "It's almost biographical, as I've suffered from many of these problems in the past."

"The play is funny, but obesity is a serious issue," he said. "I hope that people will learn to take themselves less seriously, but also to love themselves the way they are.

"It's what's inside that counts."

The writer has penned plays on various subjects from the hilarious to poignant, including retirement, in-laws, breast cancer and alcoholism. He says that Les Maringouins du Nord, which has about 50 members, is important for the French culture in Timmins.

"I think the arts is lacking in the French community here," he said. "This play is written in a language people hear on the streets, with some English mixed in here and there, because that's how people talk."

As actors donned fat-suits during a recent evening rehearsal, laughter rang out in La Ronde's hall.

"The show is for people who like to laugh," said co-director Denise Caron. "The stories always have a moral to them, and this one definitely mirrors real life."

Nine actors will play roles of dieters, as well as various food items they are craving, like pizza and French fries.

"We always give our audiences the best of the best," added Caron. "The public is never disappointed."

Last May, the group presented Une Promesse d'Ivrogne, also written by Tellier, a production that drew over 900 people.

"Rehearsals are going well," said Timm Jodouin, who acts in the play. "It's appealing because it reaches out to the French community.

"A lot of people have said in the past that the plays are better than they expected," he added.

Les Maringouins de Nord has been a part of Timmins' culture since 2002, and Jodouin says its success is a testimony of the area's talent.

"The popularity of the performances totally validates the talent that's here," he noted.

"There's a camaraderie that comes with it. It's an extended family, and it's fun."

J'Commence lundi has been in rehearsals since January, and performances run from April 29 to May 8. Tickets can be purchased at Laronde's registration office (main floor) and are $10 advance and $12 at the door.

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