Feminist Play Exploring Class, Gender and the Madonna-Whore Complex "Damnee Manon, Sacree Sandra", First English Edition

Michel Tremblay

First Edition

[Feminism][Sex Work][Theater] Tremblay, Michel. Damnée Manon, Sacrée Sandra. Vancouver: Talonbooks, 1981. First English edition. 43 pages. Glossy photographic wraps featuring a black-and-white composite image of actors Heath Lambert and Clare Coulter. 8vo. A feminist play by Quebecois dramatist Michel Tremblay, Damnée Manon, Sacrée Sandra explores class, gender, and sexuality in 1970s French-Canadian society through the lens of two women—one a sex worker, the other a devout Catholic—locked in philosophical debate. Originally staged in French at Montréal’s Théâtre de Quat’Sous in 1977, this English edition was first performed in Vancouver (1979), then at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto, reflecting the national resonance of Tremblay’s intersectional feminist critique. As with much of Tremblay’s work, the text centers on marginalized voices and challenges dominant cultural narratives, offering a richly theatrical portrayal of Quebec’s socio-religious tensions, particularly as they affect women.

The back cover features an extended excerpt from the play's dialogue, highlighting Tremblay’s blend of philosophical inquiry and vernacular speech. This English version, translated by John Van Burek, played a pivotal role in introducing Anglophone audiences to Tremblay’s radical theatrical language and his commitment to exploring the lives of women within restrictive social frameworks. The play’s enduring cultural relevance is evident in its continued production across Canadian theaters and its academic analysis within gender and performance studies. Spine chipped with shelfwear to edges and corners; binding intact with clean pages. Overall good condition. The first English edition of a feminist work from a Canadian dramatist.

Item #22129

Price: $225.00