In Montreal, we have drawers and fridge doors full of tickets and playbills for plays, concerts, independent films,exhibitions, cocktail galleries, speed-dating-wine-tasting and festivals of all kinds… All this to say that sometimes, the cornucopia of cultural offerings in the city, which ranks among North America’s top arts hubs , is almost too abundant.
For visitors, it’s the same problem – there’ s so much to see and, even if we’re only talking about theater, we’re afraid we won’t have time to attend all the plays we’ve noted on our Montreal wishlist.
Last night, we went to see Être ou ne pas être un Douchebag at Théâtre Duceppe, which is offered in a formula that seems to have been invented just for culture bulimics, those who need to go to bed early and for those who see evenings in Montreal as theater-apero-dinner-movie-karaoke rallies (and who don’t need to get up early)…
It’s the 5 à 7 formula, which presents short one-act plays – between 45 and 60 minutes – backstage, accompanied by a drink and a canapé (the snack, not the sofa). It’s the perfect aperitif (or pre-apéro)!
The 5 à 7 formula
The formula, which has existed at Duceppe since 2018 but is less well known than its shows in the main hall, is inspired by the Scottish concept of a play, a pie and a pint, and presents one-act plays (lasting up to 60 minutes) with a drink and a snack.
Last night, it was a microbrewery beer stamped with the theater’s name and a cupcake. Of course, there’s also a non-alcoholic option-after all, it was early.
It’s also a very low-cost option, with a one-time fee of $30.
But the coolest aspect of this formula is that you get to see the play backstage, with the ambiance of an 80s go-see , during the most punk era of North American theater-until now.
Chairs are set up around a small square stage, close to the action and to the actors, who are part of the up-and-coming Quebec theater scene. The walls and floor are painted black and have that distinctive backstage texture, and the vibe is simultaneously relaxed and electric. It’s not just shorter or more relaxed, it’s a very different experience from the classic red-carpeted play.
To be or not to be a douchebag
From April 15 to May 2, the play playing 5 à 7 at Duceppe is Être ou ne pas être un douchebag, written by Mary-Lee Picknell (who also plays Karine) of the Les Hébertistes collective and directed by Guillermina Kerwin.
It’s a huis-clos in a broken-down, real-time elevator, with two ex-lovers 10 years apart, 10 years since she ghosted him, and at first glance nothing in common…
Malik (played by Vincent Paquette, exceptionally truthful in the role) – who at first appears to be the proverbial douchebag – and Karine unroll, between freakouts and hysterical laughter in a luminous cube that is the elevator in which they’re stuck, a ton of prejudices and insecurities that taste like a mid-life crisis. The two characters are the douchebag we don’t want to become, but that we all are from time to time.
It’s funny, and a little sad, and a little cathartic-and we’re sitting so close that we almost feel like voyeurs to a bad-faith reunion between two people we know (douchebags, we know plenty).
By the time it’s over, we’ve forgotten we were at the theater, and we’re kind of looking forward to being trapped in an elevator with an ex to argue with….
And when we get out, it’s 6:30 p.m., and we’ve got time for a drink, dinner, a movie… Or just go to bed early!
Practical info
When’s the time? Être ou ne pas être un douchebag runs from April 15 to May 2, 2025.
Where? Théâtre Duceppe, Place des Arts
How much? One-off ticket price of $30
For more info, click here!
Enjoy the show!