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 Theater.
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

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.

McCord 2025: On the Menu–Montreal

On the Menu – Montreal: A Restaurant Story

November 26, 2025 - October 18, 2026

The Montreal's McCord Stewart Museum has set the table for a journey through the city’s culinary history. This original exhibition—based on an idea by Lesley Chesterman—celebrates Montreal’s extraordinarily diverse and inventive food scene from the 1960s till today. Featuring a wealth of audiovisual testimonials, photographs, archives and objects displayed in an evocative setting, On the Menu highlights the evolution of Montreal restaurants, be they delis or fine dining establishments, and their crucial role in shaping the identity of both the city and the province. The exhibition also offers a voyage back in time: visitors will look back on iconic Montreal restaurants that have closed over the years and will recall their own experiences of family celebrations, good times with friends, and romantic dates. The restaurants featured evokes not only culinary tastes, but also shared memories.

Presented by the OVI Fund – Ionescu Family Foundation, the exhibition was made possible with the support of Lightspeed, Innovation Collaborator; the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), Institutional Partner; and Power Corporation of Canada, Premier Partner – Montreal Stories.

Anne Eschapasse, the Museum’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:

“The rise of Montreal’s dynamic, welcoming culinary scene since the 1960s has made the province, and the city in particular, a world-class foodie destination. With the help of approximately 400 objects, either from our collections or lent for the occasion, the exhibition recounts the stories of the people who built this industry and those who are helping it thrive today. The incredible enthusiasm and generosity of myriad contributors—individuals, corporations and institutions—during the planning of this project speak not only to the deep connection we all feel for our local restaurants, but also to the pride that our food scene inspires: Montrealers are simply passionate about their restaurants.”

Guislaine Lemay, Curator, Material Culture and curator of the exhibition, explained:

“The French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin famously said, ‘Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.’ And this is exactly what we have tried to do: demonstrate how, through its restaurants, Montreal has built an identity and continues to evolve.”

The reflection of an evolving city

Thanks to successive waves of immigration in the city’s history and the influence of the Expo 67, Montreal is home to restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world. This has created an open, inventive food scene, where a taste for the extraordinary has even inspired the décor of immersive restaurants that use projections, elaborate themed designs, and sensory details to create an all-encompassing dining experience that goes beyond the food. In On the Menu, the iconic signs—from high-end gourmet establishments to popular eateries—illustrate how the city’s wide variety of restaurants reflected its evolution as well as its cultural and social diversity. The exhibition also looks at how restaurants have affected the urban landscape, contributing to the development of certain districts.

Cooking with local products to celebrate one’s identity

Any discussion of Montreal’s culinary identity has to acknowledge the contributions of the Indigenous cultures who originally shared their knowledge about local resources. Although this knowledge was long ignored in favour of European tastes and traditions, the exhibition focusses on the renewed interest in this culinary culture rooted in local products as well as international influences from subsequent waves of immigration. The development of this distinctive culinary identity, which began in the 1950s, picked up speed with the 1968 founding of the ITHQ and the training of a new generation of chefs. A celebration of Montreal restaurants is also an opportunity to celebrate those who keep them going, despite the challenges inherent in the profession and recent economic instability.

Restaurant reviews: From pioneering women to social media

The exhibition also examines the evolution of restaurant reviews in Montreal, which were initially written by women. Long dominated by pioneering women like Helen Rochester, Françoise Kayler and Renée Rowan, restaurant reviews have moved from traditional media to social media, where influencers continue to promote the city’s flavours and experiences.

Lesley Chesterman, author, restaurant critic and exhibition spokesperson, elaborated:

“My first discussions with the Museum about doing an exhibition on Montreal’s restaurants took place ten years ago. I’m very excited to finally see this exhibition open. I’m sure foodies will eat up the fascinating history of restaurants in Montreal and Quebec. The timing couldn’t be better to spotlight the generation that transformed the city’s food scene in the 1960s and 1970s, while also celebrating emerging talent and the enduring success of beloved restaurants.” 

Montreal On the Menu contest: A year of restaurants to savour!

From November 26, 2025, to October 18, 2026, the “Montreal On the Menu” contest offers participants the chance to win one of eleven prizes awarded monthly—a meal for two in one of the city’s top eleven restaurants—as well as one grand prize: a year of fine dining, in other words, twelve experiences in twelve different establishments. Details and regulations can be found on the Museum’s website.

An appetizing visit for the whole family

Families visiting the exhibition can embark on a fun culinary adventure: interesting facts about Montreal restaurants, a treasure hunt for items in the galleries, and a variety of creative activities. A bonus challenge is to find Corkscrew, the little pig hidden throughout the exhibition. An activity booklet is available free of charge at the Museum ticket counter.

All photos in this article @ Nadia Slejskova

The dedicated internets 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.