Migrant stories are varied and diverse, but there’s a particular throughline that touches them all: people in search of a better future, while at the same time enduring the struggle of starting over somewhere new.

Such is the basis of Théâtre la Seizième’s co-presentation with PuSh International Performing Arts Festival and SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs. L’amour Telle Une Cathédrale Ensevelie, performed in French and surtitled in English, is a Haitian opera-theatre show that chronicles the tragic stories of exiled Haitian families as they cross the ocean in search of new land—specifically, Montreal.

“I think the show is made for Canada,” says author and director Guy Régis Jr. in a statement. “It is a country with a great history of mixing populations … This is what this show is about, and I hope that it will lead us to discuss this question further.”

The operatic drama will be accompanied by Haitian classical guitarist Amos Coulanges and a French-Creole chorus.

On February 3, following the evening show, there will be a bilingual talkback with the artists. A bilingual conversation on the subject of literature and exile will be held between Guy Régis Jr and Dr. Joel Akinwumi, assistant professor in the Department of French at Simon Fraser University, on February 4 at 11am. 

L’amour Telle Une Cathédrale Ensevelie

When: February 3 at 7:30pm; February 4 at 2pm

Where: SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 W Hastings St, Vancouver)

Tickets: $40.95, available here