MainLine Theatre - 3997 Saint-Laurent, Montréal QC 514-849-3378

Situated among the shops on St-Laurent and Duluth is an inconspicuous, graffitied door with the words Mainline Theatre etched across it. Behind it lies a world where fringe theatre lives and breathes.

Making your way up the tiny staircase, behind the hidden door, gives one a slightly ominous feeling, until you reach the door at the top that opens into what could very well be your grandmother’s living room. Lamps and squashy sofas fill the theatre’s lounge area, where there is a small corner bar where guests can have a drink while waiting for the last of the tickets to be sold. A small hallway with doors marked “this is not the bathroom” and “still not the bathroom” lead into the intimate performance space.

The black box venue first opened its doors in Oct. 2005. The term “black box” means that the 100 seats and stage can be moved to accommodate whatever show happens to be going on at the time. The Mainline is currently the headquarters for the Montreal Fringe, an alternative theatre festival that takes place every summer. They also rent out the theatre for local companies looking for a space to perform.

What sets Mainline apart from other theatres in Montreal isn’t only its intimate atmosphere. While more mainstream venues such as the Place Des Arts or the Centaur Theatre are known for producing classic favourites, the Mainline’s taste run to the slightly more obscure.

“I think what separates fringe theatre from mainstream theatre is that it’s less dull,” said the Mainline’s founder, Jeremy Hechtman. “It’s more affordable and it’s not something you see everyday.”

This is a bit of an understatement; recent productions include The Mid-Life Crisis of Dionysus, a musical about the Greek god of wine and theatre, which had the protagonist walking around half-naked feeding audience members grapes from his loin cloth. This week they are preparing the stage for Processed Theatre’s production of Reefer Madness, a musical parody based on a 1936 propaganda video citing the harmful effects of marijuana. “I think people just come here to have a good time,” added Hechtman.

Reefer Madness promises to provide just that. Director Nichole Carlone, who also performed in Dionysus, and her cast has been rehearsing numbers such as "The Orgy," "Listen to Jesus," "Jimmy" and "Mary Jane/ Mary Lane," for the last few months. Hechtman also promises “lots of scantily clad guys and girls.”

The Mainline Theatre has been serving up hit after hit, and with their fifth anniversary coming up they show no signs of slowing down. Regardless of the subject matter, Mainline continuously provides a unique experience, which promises to keep audience members coming back for more.

For information about the Mainline Theatre, or to buy tickets for Reefer Madness, visit www.mainlinetheatre.ca or call 514-849-3378.