Not so long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, I went to see the theater group l’Épopée play Star Wars d’icitte: La guerre des cones at the Comédie de Montréal, and now they’re back in Montreal, and I’m ready to see yet another hilarious Québécois Star Wars musical, Star Wars d’icitte: un sith et son péché.
Star Wars d’icitte: un sith et son péché is a satirical Québécois musical based on George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy, episodes IV, V and VI. Featured are rebel leader Princess Leia and her brother the farmer/jedi Luke Skywalker, dancing stormtroopers, Chewbacca the Wookie and his friend the charmer Han Solo, Yoda the old Jedi master (who backwards he speaks), evil Palpatine and his Death Star, and of course, Darth Vader who will be singing some Celine Dion!
“Doing a musical allows us to really see these iconic characters that we’ve all known since we were little,” says stage director and author Catherine Bastien, “but to see them in another way that gives them more humanity, and also in a way that gives them a Québécois point of view.”
“We really put a lot of references,” continues Bastien. “That allow us to take something that’s American and bring it into a more Quebec/Canadian reality, with references from here like the endless orange cones, Manon Massé and François Legault little references to in a way reappropriate these huge films.”
This musical is, before anything, a comedy that will poke fun at Star Wars. While l’Épopée’s show on Episodes I, II & III ridiculed Padme and Anikin’s romantic relationship, this one features Luke’s crush on Leia and their kiss, before they find out they’re siblings!
“It’s an extremely funny and absurd show,” explains Catherine Bastien. “It’s really an hour and a half of pure fun. Our comedians are incredibly talented, and it’s like a party I’d say: we really want people to have fun, clap their hands, dance and sing, and even come in costumes if they want to. The ambiance is always great, so if you have a free evening, it’s really worth coming!”
The show is meant for fans and non-fans alike. The easy-to-follow story, high-energy show, and numerous references to Quebec and Canadian culture make it accessible and funny to all audiences. In 2023, at the Montreal Fringe Festival, Star Wars d’icitte: un sith et son péché won most exceptional francophone comedy and the audience’s Coup de Coeur!
Star Wars d’icitte: un sith et son péché is playing at the Fantasia Festival at the Comédie de Montréal at 20:00 from July 23rd to 26th, and at 14:00 on July 27th. Tickets HERE.
