Où on va, papa ? A Play

The play Où on va, papa ? (Where we going, Daddy?) is based on a largely autobiographical novel by Jean-Louis Fournier telling the story of a father raising his two sons, Mathieu and Thomas, both born with debilitating physical and mental challenges. Though a devoted father, he does not shy away from exploring the limits of his love and the countless times he is filled with frustration and disappointment with no relief in sight. 

Fournier reveals everything with a heavy emotional punch. He does not hide behind a mask of cliché, but gives voice to the darkness that comes with disability, and the rare moments of light. Through short, powerful vignettes, Fournier shows us his life with cynicism and humor. It’s a pastiche of emotions, memories, and anecdotes that combine to form a deep and affecting picture of this particular kind of parent/child relationship.

Mathieu and Thomas can barely communicate, and each in turn repeats learned phrases, such as “Where we going, Daddy?” (a favorite in the car) in what feels to Fournier to be an eternal loop.