Deniz Başar’s acclaimed play explores immigration, identity and unlikely friendship through comedy and narrative theatre
MONTREAL — After a sold-out run, the critically discussed stage production Wine & Halva is returning to Montreal this month, bringing audiences back into a world of humour, cultural tension and emotional vulnerability through a story that examines immigration, identity and friendship.
Presented by Sort Of Productions and director Art Babayants in association with Postmarginal, and in partnership with Teesri Duniya Theatre, the production runs from May 9 to May 23 at Rangshala in Cité-des-Hospitalières. The play features French subtitles and selected post-show talkbacks.
Written by Turkish-Canadian playwright Deniz Başar, Wine & Halva blends satire, storytelling and social critique in a narrative that follows the unconventional friendship between Derya, a Turkish immigrant pursuing a PhD in North America, and Farias, a gay white Canadian struggling with economic insecurity and personal frustration.
The production arrives at a time when Canadian theatre companies are increasingly turning to works that address migration, cultural identity and political polarization, while also seeking broader audience engagement through humour and accessible storytelling.
“How can I be racist? I’m vegan!”
That line, one of several provocative moments in the play, captures the production’s sharp comedic tone and willingness to challenge liberal assumptions surrounding diversity, privilege and allyship.
A Story Rooted in Immigration and Human Connection
Play Uses Comedy to Explore Precarity and Identity
Set against the backdrop of a fictionalized Istanbul coffee house, Wine & Halva creates an immersive atmosphere filled with Turkish coffee, music, poetry and political conversation. Beneath the warmth and humour, however, the play confronts the emotional strain of displacement and the complexity of human relationships shaped by class and culture.
Three narrators guide audiences through the evolving relationship between Derya and Farias, two characters whose lives appear to have little in common but who gradually develop a meaningful connection.
“This is a powerful story of an unlikely friendship that breaks cultural barriers and reveals the true meaning of connection,” said director Babayants.
Derya emigrates to North America believing education and academic opportunity will provide stability and belonging, only to discover that she is suddenly perceived as a visible minority in her adopted home.
Farias, meanwhile, is trapped in a low-paying service-sector job with limited prospects and growing dissatisfaction. The contrast between the two characters becomes central to the play’s broader examination of social identity and emotional survival.
“I actually really like diversity when it is all there to pamper me. But I just don’t like conflict, you know?”
The production uses humour to expose uncomfortable truths about performative tolerance and the contradictions that can emerge within progressive spaces.
Narrative Theatre Tradition Shapes Production
Başar, a first-generation immigrant from Turkey to Canada, draws heavily from narrative theatre traditions rooted in West Asia and the Middle East. The result is a production that combines direct audience engagement with poetic storytelling and politically charged dialogue.
According to the production team, the play explores friendship not only as a personal relationship but also as a form of resistance against systems that isolate individuals through economic hardship, racism and social fragmentation.
“How can friends truly do justice to one another when they have almost nothing in common?” the production asks in its central thematic question.
The play’s creators say audiences can expect an emotional experience that balances laughter with discomfort and reflection.
“Theatregoers will laugh, cringe, then laugh-cry—because it feels all too real,” the production notes.
Another line from the play underscores its biting critique of social dynamics and racial tension:
“My tears are the most useful weapon I have against non-white people and I find it very empowering to exercise my abilities.”
Montreal Theatre Sector Continues Post-Pandemic Momentum
Independent Productions Draw Audiences With Bold Themes
The return of Wine & Halva also reflects growing momentum within Montreal’s independent theatre scene, where smaller productions with politically and socially engaged themes have continued attracting audiences following pandemic-era disruptions.
The production team includes director and scenographer Art Babayants, performers esi callender, Caroline Nowacki and Corbeau Sandoval, along with lighting designer Aurora Torok and sound designer Malte Leander.
Performances are scheduled Wednesday through Sunday at 7 p.m., with weekend matinées on select dates. Organizers are also offering a limited number of accessible-price tickets at $20, alongside regular tickets priced at $35. Pay-What-You-Can performances will be held May 13 and 14.
The show is staged at Rangshala, located in Montréal’s Cité-des-Hospitalières district.
With its mix of satire, political commentary and emotional storytelling, Wine & Halva returns to the stage as both a comedy and a reflection on the tensions shaping contemporary multicultural societies.