By Yorg
The opening night of The Wolves at the Segal Centre unfolded under an unusually warm November evening in Montreal, with city traffic at a near standstill heading east, the usual hum of rush hour at its best. Against the odds, I managed to secure a parking spot just steps from the entrance, a small stroke of luck that set the tone for what promised to be a memorable night of theatre.
Entering the Segal Centre, known for its commitment to dynamic and thought provoking theatre, I was met with a bustling energy unique to opening nights. Inside the theater, the seating arrangement—audience members facing each other from opposite sides—mimicked a sports field, while the stage was set with artificial turf, creating the illusion of half a soccer pitch. This setup instantly drew me into the world of Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves, a play celebrated for its raw portrayal of adolescence through the lens of a high school girls’ soccer team.
The Wolves which is an Imago Theatre and Geordie Theatre co-production delves deep into the pressures, friendships, and inner conflicts of teenage life, capturing the unfiltered voices of young women as they grapple with identity, social expectations, and the courage to define themselves. Through spirited exchanges during pre-game warmups, the characters reveal the unspoken rules of their world and the challenges they face as they explore questions of privilege, belonging, and authenticity. DeLappe skillfully portrays how broader social dynamics—such as hierarchy and gender roles—manifest in the daily lives of these young people, potentially offering audiences a mirror for their own societal reflections.
The play also touches on the themes of loss and resilience, exploring how adversity impacts the team’s unity and shapes their character. Facing grief together, the players learn to lean on each other, finding strength in their shared experiences and forming bonds that transcend the field. DeLappe’s sharp, layered dialogue captures the immediacy and frenetic energy of youth, making the characters’ journeys feel authentic and intensely relatable.
The cast of ten young women brought exceptional vitality to the production. With Quinn Dooley as #00, Alyssa Angelucci-Wall as #14, Meenu Atwal as #2, Nora Barker as #11, Masha Bashmakova as #25, Maria Jimenez as #46, Darragh Mondoux as #7, Amy Ring as #8, Espoir Segbeaya as #13, and Amelia Sargisson as the Soccer Mom, each performance was raw and engaging. Their rapid-fire exchanges, filled with humor and vulnerability, created a fast-paced rhythm that mirrored the chaos of teenage life. Supporting this immersive experience were Emelia Hellman’s photography, Julia Carrier’s set design, Rachel Quintero Faia’s costumes, and Tim Rodrigues’s lighting—all elements contributing to the play’s dynamic atmosphere.
At its core, The Wolves is a story of camaraderie, resilience, and the courage to embrace individuality within a team. The play invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys through youth, connection, and self-discovery, providing a rich, emotional experience. I noticed a few audience members becoming visibly moved, perhaps by moments of joy or sorrow. Don’t miss this impactful production—The Wolves is a thought-provoking, unforgettable representation of adolescence.
FROM NOVEMEBER 6th NOVEMBER 17th , 2024
FOR RESERVATIONS / TICKETS: SEGALCENTRE.ORG OR 514-739-7944.
SEGAL CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS
5170 COTE-STE-CATHERINE ROAD
MONTREAL, QC H3W 1M7, CANADA
METRO: CÔTE-STE-CATHERINE, SNOWDON BUS: 129, 51, 17
