La Convivialité | Théâtre la Seizième

It all begins with a dictation. For some, an ordeal. For others, a chance to shine. Fortunately, this dictation is not marked. Then comes the confusion: why does “redcurrants” require an “s” in French for the jam, but not for the jelly? Had you noticed that the verb “alourdir”, meaning “to burden”, is written with a single ‘l’, while “alléger”, “to lighten”, takes two? A technical tool disguised as a marker of prestige, institutionalized spelling unleashes passions and bolsters the powerful. But maybe this is all a huge misunderstanding.

Led by a duo of linguists who joyfully make light of this weighted debate, this pop and subversive show shakes up the dogmas surrounding written norms… and with them, centuries of status quo. By deconstructing their arbitrary origins and fascinating absurdities, La Convivialitéprofanes the sacro-saint rules, and questions our strange persistence in attempting to comply.

Presentation: Théâtre la Seizième

Production: compagnie Chantal & Bernadette (Brussels)

Show in French, without English surtitles

Performances (65 minutes):

• May 19 and 20 at 7:30pm

Meet the artists, post-show talkback:

• Wednesday, May 20

Tickets: seizieme.ca
Early bird rates unti May 4, 2026