A Love Letter to
Friendship, Loss and Love

Imago Theatre and Playwrights Workshop Montreal present Scorpio Moon

By Mai DaSilva

April 4, 2025

Within moments of walking into Studio Mile-Ex, you’re welcomed into the dank, crumbling world of Scorpio Moon by Adjani Poirier. With an idea that sparked from an assignment during her time at the National Theatre School, Scorpio Moon, presented with Imago Theatre in collaboration with Playwrights Workshop Montreal, reflects the essence of what it means to love another person. The show had its world premiere at Studio Mile-Ex on March 27 and closes April 6.

Everything interesting always gets destroyed”
“Only if you let it

In astrology, to be born under a Scorpio Moon is believed to reflect someone who is highly emotional, secretive, and afraid of vulnerability, yet intensely loyal, passionate, and loving. At its very core, that is what Adjani Poirier explores in the piece: finding the balance between having secrets and being vulnerable, as well as dealing with the difference between what’s right and what’s comfortable.

The stirring two-hander follows college best friends Lily (Bénédicte Bélizaire) and Koa (Cameron Grant) attempting to fix their crumbling friendship in the very place their friendship first flourished. The character dynamic between these old friends is a major part of what makes this play so enticing. Throughout the play, I found myself changing who I felt was the most respectable character, feeling angry at some moments, and flipping entirely at another. The realistic complexity of their conflict is the beauty of Adjani Poirier’s creation; the well-developed characters aid in creating an experience that everyone can, in some moments, find themself relating to, and yet cringing in others (a very accurate representation of real life.)

At its very core, that is what Adjani Poirier explores in the piece: finding the balance between having secrets and being vulnerable

After the show, Adjani spoke briefly about her process with this piece. One of the things that spoke to me the most is Adjani’s description of how these characters are feeling intense emotions regarding their love and resentment for one another, but are unsure how to express them to each other. This, in itself, essentially sums up one of the most crucial themes of this piece: vulnerability. The ability to be vulnerable with one another is a part of the art of humanity, and Poirier portrays this vulnerability in a beautifully crafted manner, leaving the audience with the relief one might feel after sharing their soul with another.

Similarly, as an audience, we have the opportunity to see a build-up of arguments unravel and to learn the various points of view of their respective experiences. Within the reflections on their perspectives, we see how their lives are affected by socioeconomic inequalities, race, gender and sexuality.

Scorpio Moon invites the opportunity for audience members to reflect on their relationships, as well as their positions and privileges in the world.

Image: Emelia Hellman

Beyond the reflective nature of the piece itself, the production design elevates the immersion, bringing the entire experience to a different level. Between the sound designs by Jackie Gallant and the set design by Stavri Papadopoulou, the entire space felt real, as if I was actually walking into an abandoned warehouse.

The unfolding soundscape enriches the environment with sounds like the occasional sirens that make you wonder if they’re real or part of the show, playing into the realistic approach of the play.

Additionally, simple details, like an empty drink can, all have their own stories. Something like an expired STM pass acts as an homage to our city, creating this familiar atmosphere. By the end of the show, it’s as if we’ve grown familiar with these incredible details, yet the set is so elaborate that we may continue to notice more on our way out. Incorporated into the set are the French subtitles by Elaine Normandeau. The classy way these translations are incorporated into the staging not only encourages the accessibility of English theatre to multiple audiences, but looks incredibly natural and non-disruptive!

About Adjani Poirier

Adjani Poirier, the Montreal based playwright, creates an incredibly engaging piece, which reflects the complexity of humanity in a wonderfully creative way. Scorpio Moon continues to run this weekend, until April 6, at Studio Mile-Ex. Tickets are base priced at 29$, and Imago Theatre offers the option for Pay-What-You-Decide tickets available for every performance. https://www.imagotheatre.ca/scorpio-moon.

Images courtesy of Imago Theatre

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Mai DaSilva is an up-and-coming multidisciplinary artist based outside Montreal. She has performed in various plays and independently produced several of her scripts. Currently a theatre student at John Abbott College, Mai is ecstatic to delve deeper into the world of Montreal theatre.