This is the story of a love passion tells the Canadian Elizabeth Smart in her book up to the great central station I sat and I cried.The story of his prohibited affair with the poet George Barker, married and father.When it was released in 1945, the book caused a scandal.It has become a cult text, an "ode to feminine excess".Justin Laramée entrusted the reading to Magalie Lépine-Blondeau.

When Justin Laramée imagined a creation around Elizabeth Smart's book, both poetic and passionate, he immediately thought of his friend Magalie.The two actors met at the Conservatoire d'Art Dramatique de Montréal almost 20 years ago.Their friendship has been going on since.

"In the preface to Smart's book, we specify that this is a text that has been made for the scene and which must be read aloud," emphasizes Laramée, which is also author and director.Magalie's choice immediately imposed himself to embody this freedom and this force.»»

This is the first time that the two friends have been working together."I am embarrassed to say that I had never heard of the book when Justin told me about this project," says Magalie Lépine-Blondeau.I think I'm not the only one, and it's amazing because it is a masterpiece.I would even say that there is almost a mythology around the life of Elizabeth Smart.His life fascinates.»»

A story of passion

The relationship between Smart, from the bourgeoisie of Ottawa, and Barker, British poet, lasted several decades.The lovers had four children that Smart raised alone, because the poet never wanted to leave his wife.Magalie Lépine-Blondeau underlines the courage of the writer, who never landed as a victim during all these years.

"This woman was totally in opposition to her time," emphasizes the actress.And at the same time, she was totally trapped from that time.Even today, it would be subversive to have an adventure over several decades and several continents and to have children with a man who is already in a relationship and who has several children.But she assumed it to the end.From the start, she knew the suffering that awaited her, but she walked towards her destiny.»»

In the reading imagined by Justin Laramée, Magalie Lépine-Blondeau will walk from one Large to the next and will be accompanied on stage by the pianist Laurier Rajotte.

“At the start, specifies Justin Laramée, I wanted to mix in the same show the poems of Barker, the book of Smart as well as elements of his biography, to see what could happen.Over time, I realized that it was a text on female power and a form of freedom.I came to the conclusion that it might be more important to give Smart alone.I wanted to put her work to her forward.»»

A magnificent translation

If Magalie Lépine-Blondeau has agreed to dive into this project, it is also for the beauty of the language of Elizabeth Smart.

By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept was translated for the first time at Flammarion in 1994, but it was the translation of Hélène Filion with red herbes, in 2003, which made the date.The translator, who is also the mother of actor Alexis Martin, will be in the room during one of the two performances."The translation work is phenomenal," emphasizes Justin Laramée.French beans in this text in an extraordinary way.»»

"I forget that it was not written in French, adds Magalie Lépine-Blondeau.The language of Smart has a very natural way of depositing in French.And Justin encouraged me to say Smart's words in a language that is ours, with an accent and a level of language that approach our language spoken.There is a lot of poetry, but we also wanted it to be concrete, that the roots are well planted in the earth.»»

An extraordinary life

Elizabeth Smart's fate may seem tragic.Indeed, after the publication of at the height of Grand Central ... - of which his mother tried by all means of preventing distribution by buying practically all the copies available -, the writer has only published treaties ofgardening and some poetry collections.

"She was never bitter," notes Justin Laramée.She admitted that what she lived was difficult, but she said: "It is so beautiful what I lived and my children are so beautiful."This story is really of great power.»»

The book experienced a Renaissance in the 90s, and Magalie Lépine-Blondeau is convinced that history remains as strong, almost 75 years after its publication.And that this story of passion and freedom will affect all audiences, the oldest and young people looking for absolute.

"As she found the collection of George Barker in 1933, Elizabeth Smart said to herself:" I'm going to marry him, this man."As soon as she reads it, she knows he will be the man of her life.This story is very dramatic, but it is not a melodrama, it is of the order of the tragedy.»»

In the fifth room in the Place des Arts on September 23 and 24, as part of the International Literature Festival