Hosanna

Michel Tremblay's play about a drag queen and his/her bikie lover is a taughtly written and very compelling work. People spend time talking about its relationship to the Quebec situation and the city's desire to be part of Canada yet separate. This problem of personality is cleverly drawn by Michel and, for those of us who have little interest in the internal affairs of Canada, we see the stresses placed on relationships. The second act of the play is almost entirely taken up with Hosanna's monologue. Having seen the play, I can recognise the great ability of a very talented dramatist.

Different from the traditional idea of the "drag queen," Hosanna, an aging man confronts his demons, from socio-economic status, linguistic autonomy and masculinity. Hosanna speaks in Joual, the quebecois dialect and as she recounts her story she engages the reader's empathy. Michel Tremblay in an interview was clear that Hosanna represented the state of the quebecois when this piece was written (1971). Hosanna is wearing a mask of strength to hide her vulnerablities both in body and linguistic identity. Her Cleopatra suit and Drag Queen persona is her protection against anglo-culture. Tremblay is a prolific author and his characters vast. His work is akin to Balzac's "Comedie Humaine." For a good read, with universal appeal and a small history lesson. I would recommend any of Tremblay's work. No matter what walk of life, you will love Hosanna because one can easily identify with her very human crisis of existence.