{"id":18232,"date":"2026-04-16T13:31:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/?p=18232"},"modified":"2026-04-16T13:38:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:38:46","slug":"our-response-to-the-montreal-documentary-theatre-play-on-maid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/our-response-to-the-montreal-documentary-theatre-play-on-maid\/","title":{"rendered":"Our response to the Montreal documentary theatre play on MAiD, Club Sandwich Mayonnaise"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A theatrical moment that has to be experienced!<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Photo: Maxime C\u00f4t\u00e9, courtesy of Porte Parole<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are works you should dive into without quite knowing what you\u2019re getting into. The new play by the documentary theatre company Porte Parole is a perfect example. The creator of Club sandwich mayonnaise<\/i>, the renowned producer Manuelle L\u00e9gar\u00e9, invites us to revisit the moments that led to her father\u2019s medical assistance in dying (MAiD), the great stand-up comedian Pierre L\u00e9gar\u00e9 (the name of the play is inspired by one of the last jokes he made before MAiD). Through a series of flashbacks, she attempts to better understand what motivated his choice.

In her deeply emotional narrative, she also meets a wide range of witnesses to the evolution of MAiD in Quebec (the texts are drawn from interviews with real people: MAiD providers, a legal expert, anthropologists, patients, a care attendant, etc.). Manuelle observes and comments on these scenes, in which the characters are brilliantly portrayed by actors Alice Pacual, Sylvie de Morais-Nogueira, and Martin-David Peters (the author\u2019s own performance – her stage debut – is particularly effective).

We should also highlight the creativity of director Fran\u00e7ois Bernier, who surprises us throughout the performance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"\ud83d\ude42\" \"\ud83d\udece\" You\u2019ll understand the emojis after seeing the play.<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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One of these many protagonists is our coordinator, Jasmin Lemieux-Lefebvre, who appears in a brief segment blending humor and reflection on the issues we have championed since 2010. The carefully measured humor helps carry the audience through this 1 hour and 50 minute play without intermission, as the themes explored are emotionally charged.<\/p>\n

The inquiry conducted by Manuelle L\u00e9gar\u00e9 presents many positive and negative facets of MAID, along with several unresolved questions that deserve deeper exploration. A strong – and refreshing – theme of freedom of speech runs through the whole play, turning it into a genuine space for reflection. Positive experiences are acknowledged without silencing critical perspectives. As Philippe Couture notes in the theatre review JEU (in French)<\/a>, there is no doubt that Club sandwich mayonnaise dares to \u201ccrack the consensus.\u201d<\/p>\n

By delving into the rapid MAID process experienced by Pierre L\u00e9gar\u00e9 and his loved ones (less than 48 hours), the play offers the advantage of a very concrete narrative, but also the drawback of anecdote, since it reflects a single family\u2019s experience. Fortunately, the range of experiences presented by other characters – though more briefly – provides a broader view of the issues surrounding MAID. As for palliative care, its specific challenges are thoughtfully addressed as a distinct theme in the play.<\/p>\n

In summary, we strongly recommend seeing this production. You will appreciate the quality of the documentary research, the emotional range, and Manuelle L\u00e9gar\u00e9\u2019s passionate search for ways to improve end-of-life care in Quebec. Before attending, don\u2019t forget to respond to the Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al researchers<\/a> who are studying the impact of the play Club sandwich mayonnaise.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cFollowing each performance, experts from various fields will continue the conversation sparked by the play and reflect together on how our relationship to death is evolving.\" Our coordinator will be part of the Talkbacks on April 17. More details at the bottom of: porteparole.org\/en\/plays\/club-sandwich-mayonnaise-2<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Additional reflections<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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In 1 hour and 50 minutes, it\u2019s impossible to cover everything. Here are a few elements that could have further enriched the play (constructive suggestions in response to the dialogue it sparks):<\/p>\n

1) Exploring the impact of palliative care<\/b>
\nIts contributions and benefits are only briefly addressed, as more emphasis was spent on its invisibility and limited accessibility. Testimony highlighting the richness of care in a would have helped better comprehend this often.<\/p>\n

2) Valuing life immediately before death<\/b>
\nThe end of life can be a time of profound human connection. It may be tempting to bypass this period as futile, yet there is so much to experience at a moment when the value of existence can seem to fade.<\/p>\n

3) Seeking meaning at the end of life<\/b>
\nWhile rituals are mentioned, the play often presents the end of life as devoid of meaning. This contrasts with our experience in the field, where the final stage of life often prompts deep reflection on the purpose of existence and one\u2019s own life. Let\u2019s not forget that spiritual care (religious or not) is an integral part of the palliative approach.\u2028 End-of-life conversations can lead to reconciliation, confidences, and liberating words\u2014 for both the person who is dying and those who remain – giving them a reinvigorated relationship.<\/p>\n

4) The importance of volunteers in end-of-life care<\/b>
\nVolunteers often play a key role in helping individuals through their final stage of personal growth. Through attentive listening, they help patients articulate their experiences, questions, and evolving perspectives on life and relationships. Interactions with volunteers can sometimes be broader and deeper than certain family interactions, precisely because they are more neutral. Volunteers help restore warmth and humanity, encouraging individuals to fully engage with themselves and their relationships. palliative care home or other settings misunderstood environment<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlease note that all tickets for April 8\u201318 at Usine C in Montreal are sold out. Good news: a Quebec tour is being planned for spring 2027, with tickets available for some dates at clubsandwichmayonnaise.ca<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Photo Maxime C\u00f4t\u00e9, fournie par Porte Parole<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t To read our thematic page on the play (in French)<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A theatrical moment that has to be experienced!<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto: Maxime C\u00f4t\u00e9, courtesy of Porte Parole
\nThere are works you should dive into without quite knowing what you\u2019re getting into. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[290],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18232"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18248,"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18232\/revisions\/18248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}