Centaur Theatre 2026: Seeker

 

SEEKER

 

By Marie-Claude Verdier

World English Language Premier 

Translated by Alexis Diamond
Directed by Rebecca Gibian
With Bénédicte Bélizaire and Andrew Shaver

April 15, 2026  — May 3, 2026

CENTAUR THEATRE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TALISMAN PRESENTS THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PREMIERE OF AWARD-WINNING SCI-FI THRILLER SEEKER

The play was first premiered in 2021 to sold-out audiences at Montréal’s Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui. It was acclaimed as a coup-de-force and was praised for its striking fusion of speculative science fiction and deeply touching human storytelling. It is intense and immersive in design and offers elements of intimacy, questioning, and also sorrow. It focuses on the humanity’s desire and urgency to travel beyond Earth, the survival in extreme conditions, and the possibility of unforeseen tragic consequences.

 

Hailed as a “coup-de-force” when it first premiered in 2021, this gripping sci-fi drama transports audiences to the year 2250, to a remote military base in Colorado. Lomond is a Seeker, recruited for his extraordinary ability to enter and interpret the memories of others. When he is summoned to undertake a classified military exercise, he is stunned to discover that the mission is being led by his estranged ex-wife—newly returned from a mysterious interplanetary mission.

As past and present begin to blur, Lomond is drawn into one of the most complex and unsettling investigations of his career. Forced to collaborate with the woman who once knew him best, he must navigate the volatile terrain of memory, loss, and concealed history. Together, they uncover a truth buried deep within lost memories—one that could reshape not only their relationship, but the future of humanity itself.

This sci-fi thriller drew sold-out crowds at its French premiere in 2021. It still has the same power to keep the focused attention not only of the devoted sci-fi fans but also of the general audiences. 

 

Seeker is directed by Rebecca Gibian, Centaur Theatre’s Associate Artist, making her Centaur directorial debut following a string of acclaimed productions across Montreal, including The Importance of Being Earnest (Repercussion Theatre), How to Survive in the Wild, and The Flick (both Persephone Productions).

This play's intimate two-hander features newcomer Bénédicte Bélizaire, recent META Award winner for Outstanding Lead Performance, and the acclaimed Andrew Shaver, whom Centaur audiences will recognize from productions including The 39 Steps, Trad, and others.

The design team brings together award-winning talent from across Montreal’s theatre community, including Geneviève Lizotte and Carol-Anne Bourgon Sicard (Set Design), Paul Chambers (Lighting Design), and Antoine Berthiaume (Music & Sound Design).

All photos in this article by Andrée Lanthier, courtesy of Centaur Theatre.
For more information, visit the Centaur Theatre website.

 

Conseil des arts de Montréal 2026

CONSEIL DES ARTS DE MONTRÉAL

The 40th Grand Prix

April 2, 2026

  

In front of over 900 guests at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) awarded its 40th Grand Prix, accompanied by a cash prize increased to $40,000 and a unique work of art valued at $10,000, to the No Excuses, No Limits Movement. The Prix du jury ($10,000), offered by the Desjardins Caisse de la Culture, and the Prix du public Télé-Québec ($10,000) were both awarded to Ciné-Quartier. The eight nominated finalists each received a $5,000 prize, bringing the total amount awarded during this 40th Grand Prix to $100,000.

 

A tribute to the creative forces in Montréal’s artistic community

 

Host Édith Cochrane, with her electrifying energy, was joined by Nathalie Maillé and Mathieu Bouchard, respectively Executive Director and President of CAM, as well as over 900 distinguished guests from the cultural, business and political spheres. They included Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montréal, and Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture.

 

40th Grand Prix ($40,000): No Excuses, No Limits Movement

 

Animated by a force that liberates, uplifts and unites, the No Excuses, No Limits Movement  embodies a quest for the absolute and the pursuit of excellence. Brimming with energy, generosity and infectious pride, this dance troupe proves that differences can be an exceptional driving force for choreographic creation and an inclusive space for self-affirmation.

 

From the Invictus Games in Vancouver to the NO LIMITS festival at Maison de la culture Maisonneuve to the Paris Olympics, this movement celebrates bodies that defy convention, reinventing and pushing the boundaries of breakdancing as each performance becomes a unique, powerful and vital space for self-expression.

 

Prix du jury ($10,000) and Prix du public Télé-Québec ($10,000): Ciné-Quartier

 

Shared cinematic moments that transform into genuine encounters: this is what Ciné-Quartier invites us to experience in neighbourhoods across Montréal.   

By encouraging the discovery of French-language Québec cinema and building authentic connections between filmmakers and audiences, this one-of-a-kind organization shows how powerful culture can be a vehicle for creating social bonds. Backed by an exceptional level of commitment and a network of dedicated partners, Ciné-Quartier won the hearts of the 4,463 Prix du public Télé-Québec voters in addition to earning the Prix du Jury.

Jury and selection criteria

The jury in charge of selecting the winners of the 40th Grand Prix and Prix du jury was chaired by Mathieu Bouchard, President of the CAM and Vice President of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Deep Sky. It also included Félix-Antoine Joli-Coeur, Founder and President of Volume 10, D. Kimm, Founder and outgoing Artistic Director of Les Filles électriques and the Phénomena Festival, and winner of the 39th Grand Prix; singer-songwriter Djely Tapa; and writerKim Thúy.

The winning artist or organization for the 40th Grand Prix was selected based on the innovation, uniqueness and authenticity of their artistic process; their desire to take action and make an impact on the community; and the originality and merit of the strategies used to reach Montréal-area audiences or engage the target community.

The jury was tasked with selecting the winning artists and organizations from among the eight finalists nominated for their artistic contributions in 2025: Agora de la danse; Artificiel.org – Eisode; Ciné-Quartier; La Messe Basse; Manuel Mathieu; Montréal, arts interculturels (MAI); the No Excuses No Limits Movement; and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Vital, valuable contributions

The Conseil extends its warmest thanks to its major partners, whose support has helped make this event a highlight of Montréal’s artistic calendar: Loto-Québec, Télé-Québec, Desjardins Caisse de la Culture and La Presse, as well as its creative partner, Leeroy.

A very big thank-you also goes to our sponsors and donors for their contributions, which help support the finalists and artistic performances presented as part of the 40th Grand Prix: Power Corporation of Canada, Bell, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, Fondation Pierre Desmarais Belvédère, Tourisme Montréal and Québecor, as well as our arts partners: Business Development Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, BNP Inspire, CAE, Casacom, Montreal Council on Foreign Relations (CORIM), EY, Fasken, Azrieli Foundation, Macdonald Stewart Foundation, KPMG + Agence Substance, McCarthy Tétrault, Nukleo, Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur and WSP. 

About the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM)

Founded in 1956, the Conseil des arts de Montréal supports artistic innovation and creative expression in all their diversity by offering various forms of support to promote Montréal artists and organizations that create, produce and present art. For 70 years, it has played a unique role as a catalyst and helped make Montréal a vibrant cultural metropolis, recognized at home and abroad for its artistic vitality.

 

McCord 2026: Montreal 1976 Olympics

MONTREAL 1976: AN OLYMPIC FEAT

50th ANNIVERSARY 

Temporary exhibition

March 27 - September 13, 2026

Dedicated website address of this article here.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, the Museum presents an unprecedented retrospective on this event that marked the city’s history and redefined its image. Featuring an outstanding array of objects, documents, works on paper (posters, archives, editorial cartoons and photographs), collectibles, videos, clothing and accessories, Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat focuses on the organization behind this hugely successful milestone event. Visitors learn about the many challenges that arose during the run-up to the Games—a veritable race against time—as well as the rich urban, architectural and sports legacy the Games left behind. This project is part of the official programming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympic Games.

Christian Vachon, Curator, Documentary Art, Director, Collections Management and the curator of the exhibition stated:

“By highlighting exclusive objects and archives from our collections, the exhibition gives voice to the people who shaped the experience and image of the 1976 Montreal Games. Fashion designers, graphic designers, poster artists, architects, photographers and editorial cartoonists were all involved in promoting sports. Together, these artists, in an incredible burst of creativity, built on the success of Expo 67 to cement Montreal’s arrival as a world-class city. Although the Olympic adventure also involved less pleasant memories of mismanagement and debt, the exhibition aims to rekindle the pride Montrealers felt when they welcomed the world.”

Anne Eschapasse, President Chief Executive Officer, elaborated:

“The last global event organized in Montreal, the Olympic Games were a truly exceptional undertaking, plagued with difficulties and yet hugely successful. Given its mission to promote our stories and heritage along with its remarkable collections, it was only natural that the McCord Stewart Museum pay tribute to the visionaries, builders and creatives who joined forces to create a memorable experience for both athletes and the public and showcase the city’s vibrant energy. I’d like to thank our many public and private partners who have worked together, fifty years later, to recreate the excitement, exuberance and joy associated with this event.”

 

Culture as a central tenet of the Olympic ideal

In keeping with the Olympic ideal revived by Pierre de Coubertin, the city of Montreal was transformed into a buzzing cultural metropolis during the Games. Visitors were greeted by extensive cultural programming in the streets, parks and theatres of every area in the city. The exhibition demonstrates how preparing for the 1976 Games turned Montreal into a veritable laboratory of identity, social and urban design. An impressive selection of items drawn from the Museum’s archives chronicles the design process and subsequent international recognition of the Montreal 1976 logo, the wide range of communications produced for the Games, and the bold architecture of the Olympic Stadium, the Velodrome and the Olympic Village, all of which have become iconic structures in the city.

 

Olympic challenges

In Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat, visitors learn about the challenges and tensions that arose in the lead-up to the Games. These include Mayor Drapeau’s “Olympic clean-up” campaign—harassment of homosexual communities, arrests of homeless people, the removal of public posters and the dismantlement of the Corridart exhibition—as well as the geopolitical instability of the era, illustrated by the deployment of 18,000 security personnel during the Games, the boycott led by a majority of African nations, and Canada’s refusal to allow Taiwan to compete.

  

Let the Games begin!

The exhibition shines a light—and the colours of the rainbow!—on the ways in which the Games left a lasting impression on the collective memory. From Nadia Comăneci to Caitlyn Jenner, then competing as Bruce Jenner, Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat presents the achievements of sports personalities who have become icons, along with those of lesser-known athletes. Thanks to previously unpublished photographs from the Museum’s La Presse fonds and videos from the archives of CBC/Radio-Canada, visitors will discover the charisma, performances and Olympic values of these remarkable figures.

This vibrantly staged area of the exhibition also showcases Olympic fashion, presenting the collaborative work of a team of four renowned Montreal designers. The 15 official uniforms on display demonstrate the functional approach taken, where colour is used to identify the various categories of Olympic personnel. Finally, there is a section devoted to the lasting legacy of the 1976 Games: infrastructure that has helped foster new high-level athletes and raise the nation’s awareness of the importance of supporting amateur sport.

Family Activity – Complete an Olympic challenge

The exhibition includes a fun-filled interactive tour that invites children ages 6 to 12 and the adults accompanying them to help the city of Montreal fulfill its dream of hosting the Olympic Games. Challenges and puzzles are sprinkled throughout the exhibition, leading participants straight to victory—and the podium for a souvenir photo!

Beyond the Games: Montreal’s Olympic Story – Virtual exhibition

To complement the Museum’s physical exhibition, Beyond the Games: Montreal’s Olympic Story will go online in July 2026. Designed for young people ages 12 to 17 years, this virtual exhibition will offer an accessible, engaging look at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games: their bold visual identity, architectural innovations, the challenges that arose during the run-up to the Games and, of course, the athletic performances that captivated the world. Featuring exclusive content, this virtual exhibition will showcase the defining moments of a major event in Canada’s Olympic history.

This project was made possible thanks to the support of Digital Museums Canada

5 collections on display

Items from the Museum’s various collections come together to recreate the colourful atmosphere of the 1970s

Hundreds of photographs from the La Presse fonds

The exhibition features hundreds of unpublished photographs selected from among the thousands in the La Presse fonds from the years 1970-1976

Over 150 editorial cartoons

Some 20 uniforms created for the Games

Over 100 commemorative objects

Guided tour and conversation - The Montreal Olympic Games: Legacy and Outlook

In partnership with Heritage Montreal

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – Guided tour 5:00-5:45 pm, Conversation 6:00-7:15 pm.

All photos in this article @ Nadia Slejskova

The dedicated internet address of this article or click on the title above the first photo at the top. 

For more information about current exhibitions and special evens associated with this exhibition, visit the McCord Stewart Museum website.

  

McCord 2025: Holidays

Holidays at the McCord Stewart Museum  

Until January 11, 2026

The magic of the holidays returns to the McCord Stewart Museum until January 4, 2026. Thanks to the support of Place Montréal Trust, Presenting Partner, and Power Corporation of Canada, Premiere Partner – Montreal Stories, visitors will be able to reconnect with their inner child as they marvel at Ogilvy’s legendary mechanical Christmas windows, which have been delighting Montrealers for over 75 years. The two enchanting scenes filled with animated characters is once again be on view in the Museum’s indoor Theatre and its outdoor Alley. 

The four current exhibitions and rich lineup of fun creative activities for children and adults alike will round out the Museum’s holiday programming. 

Ogilvy’s Christmas mechanical window displays

Until January 11, 2026

Relive the magic of The Enchanted Village indoor and of The Mill in the Forest outdoor of the Museum! Montrealers have been spellbound by the mechanical displays in Ogilvy’s department store windows for over 75 years — a Holiday tradition that began in 1947. The Bavarian scenes, custom made by the German toy manufacturer Steiff, feature dozens of handcrafted animals working and playing.

For more information about current exhibitions and special evens associated with this exhibition, visit the McCord Stewart Museum website.

Centaur Theatre 2025: Kisses Deep

KISSES DEEP

Canadian English Language Premier

Autor:  Michel Marc Bouchard

Translator: Linda Gaboriau

Directed by Eda Holmes

With Lyndz Dantiste, Yves Jacques, Leni Parker, Alice Pascual and Kevin Raymond

November 26 - December 14, 2025

The Montreal’s Centaur Theatre is presenting the long-awaited English-language premiere of the Quebec playwright Michel Marc Bouchard’s play Kisses Deep.

Originally premiering in French in a co-production with Centaur at Théâtre du Nouveau Monde in 2021, Kisses Deep (Embrasse) now takes on a new life in English, reuniting many of the original creative team members under the direction of the very talented Eda Holmes, Centaur’s Artistic & Executive Director, who also directed the original Théâtre du Nouveau Monde French production.

Kisses Deep is an emotionally charged, evocative work that explores the transformative power of creative artistic impulses and talents intertwined with the emotional depth of pain and psychological confusion, at the same time finding the solace in the creative world of fashion and design. This play is striking, filled with raw emotional and psychological pain as well as the impetus to overcome it and to reach in one’s life the creative grandeur and the glamour of the world of fashion.

The central character of the play is the young man Hugo, from the Montreal suburbs, who is consumed by his passion for high fashion and dreams of becoming a designer. He is inspired by his idol Yves Saint Laurent, and dreams to be accepted into a prestigious design school. At the starting point of the play, he has a new obsession. He decides to channel his creativity into a singular mission: to restore the tarnished reputation of his mother, Béatrice, after she had just been arrested for an assault. To help her to reclaim her dignity, he decides to design the perfect outfit for her upcoming court appearance. Though facing turbulent complexities of his relationship with his mother, also caused by his parents’ past divorce, the two are bound by a deep but often painful love, and Hugo’s artistic pursuit becomes a means of both confronting and healing the wounds of their past.

Through heartfelt and striking psychological exploration, Kisses Deep delves into the essence of artistic creation, questioning whether art can serve as a source of comfort or is merely a tool to deal with a deep-seated pain. The play invites the audience on a visually striking and emotionally charged journey of self-discovery and redemption.

The cast consists of exceptionally good actors able to portray the characters' emotional load in an very effective manner.

All photos in this article by Andrée Lanthier, courtesy of Centaur Theatre.
For more information, visit the Centaur Theatre website.

PAC 2025: Sherlock Holmes

SHERLOCK HOLMES: CRACKING THE CASE

Delve into the mysterious domain of the world’s most famous detective and his author!

November 27, 2025 - March 8, 2026

Pointe-à-Callière extends the exhibition
until March 29, 2026 

The Montreal’s Pointe-à-Callière, the Archaeology and History Complex, presents a new exhibion Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case The visitors will discover writer Arthur Conan Doyle and his legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes. At the same time it reveals a surprising connection to Montréal and the early days of police investigation.

Embarking on an immersive historical journey, visitors will make their way to the late-19th century London, the author’s source of inspiration. It was an era marked by scientific progress and the development of investigative techniques. The exhibition also features personal items that belonged to Conan Doyle, some of which are being presented exclusively in North America.

Anne Élisabeth Thibault, the Executive Director, Pointe-à-Callière, stated:

“We are delighted to present this major international exhibition dedicated to Sherlock Holmes. It immerses visitors in every aspect of Conan Doyle’s work and allows us to draw a parallel with a little-known chapter in the city’s history: the creation of the Montréal Detective Bureau. Among the items on display are authentic manuscripts, Arthur Conan Doyle’s actual desk, which has just been restored, his quill, his inkwell, as well as unique objects from the author’s time in Montréal.”

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE AND 19th CENTURY LONDON

A physician, writer, and traveler, Arthur Conan Doyle drew on his personal experiences to fuel his imagination. He was also inspired by his era—the Victorian golden age—thaytwas marked by industrial, cultural, and scientific transformations (ballistics, telecommunications, photography, botany, etc.). This rich context allowed him to shape the world of Sherlock Holmes, a detective “of his time” with an atypical personality and vast general knowledge that enabled him to make connections between various disciplines. The character is renowned for his unique investigative methods, using the methodical analysis of clues and scientific experimentation to solve crimes—at a time when the police were still hesitant to adopt these forensic approaches.

With four novels, 56 short stories, and countless adaptations for the stage and screen over more than a century, Sherlock Holmes has become the archetype of the detective, an iconic character recognized throughout the world and rooted in the collective imagination.

A STOP IN MONTRÉAL: THE BIRTH OF INVESTIGATIVE POLICING

In this exhibition, Pointe-à-Callière is also taking a unique look at Montréal police at the turn of the 20th century as they faced increased activity in organized crime, the red-light district, and the opium trade. Following London’s lead, Montréal was increasingly influenced by the exciting advancements in European police investigation, with its law enforcement agencies becoming more institutionalized and professional. The era of Sherlock Holmes coincided with the beginnings of investigative policing, the creation of the Montréal Detective Bureau, and the establishment of the first forensic science laboratory in North America. This is an opportunity to learn more about Detective Silas Carpenter, a true Sherlock Holmes from Québec!

AN EXHIBITION THAT MAKES YOU THE DETECTIVE!

Strolling through immersive, life-size settings, the visitors will get to follow in Sherlock Holmes’ footsteps to solve a unique criminal case! Every clue means something! Observation, evidence, analysis… visitors will have to put their detective skills to the test to unravel the mystery. A fun and captivating experience, with a focus on Holmes’ reasoning and ingenuity.

COMPLEMENTING THE EXHIBITION

Cultural Activities
Explore the astonishing world of Sherlock Holmes and extend your exhibition visit:
-Holidays on the Pointe (December 27 to 30, 2025 and January 2 to 3, 2026)
-Nuit blanche (February 28, 2026)
-Spring Break on the Pointe: Little Sherlocks (February 28 to March 6, 2026)

Lectures
The Museum is holding a series of lectures relating to the exhibition:
-Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes (Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 7 pm)
-Silas Carpenter, Montréal’s Sherlock Holmes (Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 7 pm)

Exhibition Booklet
Designed to help you crack the case, booklets are available free of charge at the reception counter:
-Youth Booklet (ages 6 and under)
-Booklet for all audiences

All photos in this article @ Nadia Slejskova

For more information visit the Pointe-à-Callière museum website.

www.pacmusee.qc.ca

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case is an exhibition presented by Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex, in collaboration with the Conan Doyle Estate Limited, developed from an original concept by Exhibits Development Group and Geoffrey M. Curley + Associates. The Museum thanks its sponsors: Air Canada Cargo, YUL-Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Tourisme Montréal, Hotel Saint-Sulpice, and La Presse. The Museum sincerely thanks its lenders, sponsors, and partners.

ABOUT POINTE-À-CALLIÈRE, MONTRÉAL ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY COMPLEX

Inaugurated in 1992, on the city’s 350th anniversary, Pointe-à-Callière is today the largest archaeology museum in Canada and the busiest history museum in Montréal. Rising above a concentrated number of historic and archaeological sites of national significance—including the birthplace of Montréal—, the Museum has a mission to preserve its collections and to further knowledge, while showcasing and fostering an appreciation for Montréal’s archaeological and historical heritage. This mission is carried out through various activities focused on conservation, research, presentation, education, and inclusion, along with community initiatives benefiting both the Montrealers and the visitors to the city. Pointe-à-Callière, proud partner of the City of Montréal.