| Transmissions: Translating Atlantis
In March 1997, I was invited by Playwrights' Workshop Montréal and Centre des auteurs dramatiques to come to Montréal to attend a workshop and staged reading of the French translation of my play Atlantis. Since my French is quite rusty, I wasn't sure how well I'd be able to follow the text, let alone discussions between the director, the translator and the actors. The surprising thing was that by the end of the week I was following the text quite easily. Even the discussions weren't completely mysterious. Was this because everyone very kindly switched to English when they noticed a baffled look on my face? The experience was exciting, rejuvenating and rewarding. The director and cast chosen for the workshop were excellent (Oliver Reichenbach, Germain Houde and Louise Portal). Linda Gaboriau at Centre des auteurs dramatiques and Peter Smith at Playwrights' Workshop Montréal went out of their way to make me feel not just welcome but necessary to the process. The public reading of the play on March 16th was evocative and passionate, and sparked an enthusiastic response from the audience. This is a tribute to Michelle Allen's translation and gives me great hopes for the French premiere of the play -- by Theatre de la Manufacture in Montréal in March in the 1998-99 season. All in all, a very positive experience. My gratitude to everyone involved.
The following are notes on Atlantis by Translator Michelle Allen: L'éxriture de l'Atlantide est près du corps, intime, sensuelle. A la fois lyrique et concrète, elle ancre solidement le mythique dans le réel. La précision et la musicalité du texte de Maureen Hunter, l'alternance organique des voix de Ben et de Mircea, ont rendu mon travail de traductruice exigeant mais très satisfaisant. Michelle Allen
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