A Yiddish‑language production of Michel Tremblay’s classic play ‘Les Belles‑sœurs’ opened at the Centre Segal in Montreal’s Snowdon neighbourhood on June 16, 2026. The staging presents the 1960s French drama, originally about women on the Plateau, in the heritage language of the city’s Jewish community.
The performance marks the first time the renowned Quebec work has been translated into Yiddish for a Montreal audience. Organisers aimed to connect the play’s themes of everyday life and familial ties with the cultural background of local Jewish residents.
Centre Segal, a venue known for supporting diverse cultural initiatives, hosted the event. Claudia Hébert was involved in the production, contributing her expertise to bring the adaptation to the stage. The choice of Yiddish reflects a broader effort to make seminal Quebec literature accessible to speakers of minority languages in the city.
‘Les Belles‑sœurs’ first appeared in the 1960s and quickly became a touchstone of Quebec theatre, depicting the aspirations and frustrations of working‑class women. By presenting the work in Yiddish, the new production offers a fresh perspective while preserving the original’s focus on community and personal ambition.
The debut underscores Montreal’s multicultural landscape, where artistic collaborations often bridge linguistic and cultural divides. Attendees experienced the familiar narrative through a new linguistic lens, highlighting the city’s commitment to inclusive cultural expression.