Photo — Yanick MacDonald
In the middle of the night, a woman precariously balances in a window of a hotel in Old Montreal. Below her, an insomniac jogs along the wet cobblestone while a black-clad biker loiters in the deserted streets. When these three trajectories converge in an elevator, the masks eventually come off in the reflective mirrored cage.
Sébastien Harrisson’s Becoming Chelsea is loosely inspired by the life of prominent activist and whistleblower Chelsea Manning. This new work was created through an intense process of documentary research and reflection on citizen and artistic ethics. Guided by Eric Jean’s ingenious direction, the show is a portrait of a society in search of meaning, a mirror reflecting back our individual and collective concerns.
The play was lauded by critics when it premiered at Théâtre Prospero in Winter 2020. In October 2021, actor Sébastien René received the award for male performance from L’Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre: « The actor has again demonstrated his tremendous talent by taking on this complex role that deals with issues surrounding identity and gender. Expertly avoiding even a hint of caricature, his performance of the character inspired by American trans activist Chelsea Manning was just right, compassionate and touching. »
