Nickel City Fifs
In-house production
Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario is a francophone theatre production company. All of our productions are presented in French, however, some shows feature English Surtitles™ so that more people can experience French theatre! We apologize, but not all content on this site is available in English.
Description
One night at Zigs, Sudbury’s gay bar, a young queer thirsting for freedom and community experiences an initiatory journey unlike any other. Under the auspices of Holy Poetry, the crater’s patron goddess, the bar’s colourful fauna introduces him to their magical world by inviting him into eclectic, explosive, and absurd worlds. Will they be able to convince him to join them or will they lose him to the siren song of the big city?
Guided by a desire to make theatre queerer, Nickel City Fifs pays tribute to the struggles of the past and present in an atmosphere that is at once campy, fantastical, irreverent, vulgar, caustic, demanding, and a tad disturbing in parts. A love letter to the region’s queer and francophone communities, this Sudbury epic showcases a voice rarely heard in French Ontario, let alone here in the North.
Location: Zigs Bar, 54 Elgin Street, Sudbury
Duration: 1:15
Viewer discretion is advised
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Relevant information to know
- Under 19 years old? You are still invited for the play. We will provide you with a wristband to wear and you must leave the bar at the end of the show, once it is upon to the public.
- We will be checking IDs at the door.
- There will be drinks sold before and after the show, but not during.
- Since Zigs Bar is in a basement, the flight of stairs to get there may be a challenge if you are a person who lives with limited mobility.
- Proceeds from the box office for this show will be donated to Réseau Access Network for their gender-affirming services.
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Representations in Sudbury
June 22 to 24 2023, Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, presented at Zigs Bar
Tour
May 10, 2025 – Kapuskasing, ON (Centre des loisirs de Kapuskasing)
May 17, 2025 – Ottawa, ON (Maison de la francophonie d’Ottawa)
May 21, 2025 – Hamilton, ON
May 23, 2025 – Kingston, ON (Centre culturel Frontenac de Kingston)
June 3, 2025 – Timmins, ON (Centre culturel La Ronde à Timmins)
June 5, 2025 – Hearst, ON (Place des Arts de Hearst)
Number of representations
6
Credits
Script
- Alex Tétreault
Director
- Alex Tétreault
Dramaturgical Consultants
- Miriam Cusson
- Isabelle Kirouac-Massicotte
Cast
- Ryan Demers-Lafrenière
- Michel Gervais
- Natalie Lalonde
- Simon Rys-Landry
- ER Simbagoye
Stage Manager
- Céline Lepage
Set Designer
- Ra'anaa Yaminah Ekundayo
Lighting
- Ra'anaa Yaminah Ekundayo
Sound Design
- Michel Laforge
Music
- Shawn Kosmerly
- Michel Laforge
Costumes and Accessories
- Céline Lepage
Production Manager
- France Huot
Mentor to the Production Manager
- Natalie Gisèle
Technician
- Matteo DeSimone
Artistic Direction
- Marie-Pierre Proulx
- Dillon Orr
- Alex Tétreault
Image Design
- Matti Lehtelä
Tour Director
- Alex Tétreault
Tour Production Manager
- Anne Parent
Tour Stage Manager
- Emily Payeur
Tour Technical Director
- Gabriel Pilon
Set Construction
- Darlene Sovereign
A Coproduction by
Alex Tétreault and the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario
ATTENTION
We have a Q&A session BEFORE the Friday show!
What is it?
An informal gathering discussing the creation process of the play.
Who will be there?
The audience members and the author and director, Alex Tétreault.
When is it?
This Friday, June 23 at 6 pm.
Where is it ?
Books and Beans, at 158 Elgin St (not even a 5 minute walk from Zig’s)
Places are limited! Please reserve your free spot as of now!
Ryan Demers-Lafrenière
Actor
Michel Gervais
Actor
Natalie Lalonde
Actor
Simon-Rys Landry
Actor
ER Simbagoye
Actor
Céline Lepage
Stage Manager, Costumes and Accessories
Ra’anaa Yaminah Ekundayo
Set Designer and Lighting
Michel Laforge
Sound Design and Music
Shawn Kosmerly
Music
France Huot
Production Manager
Message from the Director
Welcome to Zigs Bar, the great temple of Sudbury queerness!
For more than 25 years, this sacred space where nothing is sacred has welcomed generations of queers in search of community. In this underground Eden, we, the congregation of social rejects, are free to explore and discover ourselves, far away from crushing norms.
When things go to shit, we don’t dwell in our collective sadness and pain. On the contrary, we lick our wounds, crank up the sound system, and fucking party! Faced with the hate and violence of the world, joy is a revolutionary act, an act of rebellion. That’s the beauty of queerness.
Queerness doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s about living authentically and no longer silencing a part of yourself. It’s about giving the finger to the majority, not bending over backwards to satisfy it. It’s about retaking control of your destiny, forging your own path ahead. It’s about realizing the importance of living your best life. It’s about celebrating life, for yourself and for those who can’t.
Don’t fear change; instead, look it straight in the eyes and embrace it! With tongue! Leave all your preconceived ideas outside and let’s together dream of a beautiful, rainbow-coloured future for all.
– Alex Tétreault
You may also like
Movies
- Mommie Dearest (1981) (Drama)
- Hairspray (1988) (Comedy)
- The Mummy (1999) (Action/Comedy)
Shows
- Heartstopper (2022-)
- Angels in America (2003)
- RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009-)
Literature
- The Drag (1927) by Mae West (Theatre)
- The Boys in the Band (1968) by Mart Crowley (Theatre)
- The Rez Sisters (1986) by Tomson Highway (Theatre)
Podcasts
- Food 4 Thot (2017-2022) (Various subjects)
- Uncover: The Village (2019) (True crime series by CBC)
We’d also like to acknowledge and thank our show partners: the Fondation franco-ontarienne, Zigs Bar and Sudbury Pride.
Tickets
Nickel City Fifs
A production by Alex Tétreault and the Théâtre du Nouvel-OntarioLeave your review
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