Camillien Houde,
"le p'tit gars de Sainte-Marie"
August 22 to September 2, 2017
Text: Alexis MARTIN
Stage direction: Daniel BRIÈRE and Geoffrey GAQUÈRE
With Pierre LEBEAU, Josée DESCHÊNES, six other performers
and thirty or so citizens from Centre-Sud.
A production by Espace Libre and the Nouveau Théâtre Expérimental
MONTRÉAL, Aug. 22, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Espace Libre and the Nouveau Théâtre Expérimental (NTE) have teamed up with cultural, business and community stakeholders in their neighbourhood to create a free moveable show about the life of Camillien Houde, an iconic figure of municipal and provincial politics. Camillien Houde, "le p'tit gars de Sainte-Marie", part of Montréal's 375th anniversary official programmming, will be presented from August 22 to September 2, 2017.
Written by Alexis Martin (co-artistic director at the NTE), Camillien Houde, "le p'tit gars de Sainte-Marie", will be directed by Daniel Brière (co-artistic director at the NTE) and Geoffrey Gaquère (artistic director at Espace Libre). They will have the privilege of directing eight celebrated actors, including Pierre Lebeau in the lead role and Josée Deschênes who will play his wife. As well, some thirty Centre-Sud residents will be recruited to play the part of the former mayor's fellow citizens. To get ready for their role, they will be coached by theatre professionals throughout the entire creative process and will take part in a number of preparatory workshops.
"Le p'tit gars de Sainte-Marie" is a stellar example of the events in our programming," said Serge Postigo, Assistant Commissioner for Montréal's 375th anniversary. "Not only will we be bringing this major and fascinating public figure of Montréal's political history back to life, and through him the great changes of the 20th century, but the whole neighbourhood will become part of this mobile performance. In doing so, our desire to build bridges takes on its full meaning."
"Camillien Houde's legacy is everywhere and for me it is a huge source of inspiration. This is another example of creativity of Montrealers. This cultural mediation project will allow us to bring an important part of our history back to life, while allowing citizens to appropriate it democratically," said Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal.
"The performance Camillien Houde, "le p'tit gars de Sainte Marie" produced by Espace Libre and the Nouveau Théâtre Expérimental for Montréal's 375th anniversary will allow us to relive a chapter of the 20th century and illustrate just how committed this political figure was to his fellow citizens," added Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region.
Camillien Houde grew up in a working-class background and went on to become the mayor of Montréal from 1930 to 1950. He embodied the great populist movement of municipal and provincial politics, all while weathering the major upheavals that shaped the 20th century. During the Great Depression, as unemployment skyrocketed, he and his wife transformed City Hall into a veritable relief shelter and distributed food and clothing to the underprivileged.
Houde always kept the "little people" close to his heart, going so far as being interned for denouncing conscription. From WWI to WWII, through the birth of mass media such as radio and film, this is an entire segment of human history caught up in the turbulence of the last century, which will be portrayed on the Espace Libre stage and in its neighbouring streets.
This grand ambulatory show will be presented in 10 exceptional evening performances. Members of the audience will first be invited to meet at Place Joseph-Venne (corner of Ontario and Poupart Streets) at 6 p.m. to watch the opening of the performance. Next, they will move to Espace Libre's main theatre, located just a few steps away. The performance will culminate with a grand banquet and other entertainment for everyone a little further west at the Parc des faubourgs (corner of De Lorimier Avenue and Ontario Street). A festive and unifying event, Camillien Houde, "le p'tit gars de Sainte Marie" promises to leave Montrealers with unforgettable memories!
PREPARATORY WORKSHOPS
The call for extras continues! If you live in Centre-Sud and would like to be part of this great human and artistic adventure, contact Marie Semel, Public Relations and Cultural Mediation Manager at Espace Libre.
[email protected]
514-521-3288, ext. 5
For more about the project: Follow us throughout the season learn more about show-related activities and ticket reservations.
Espacelibre.qc.ca
Nte.qc.ca
For more information on Montréal's 375th anniversary: 375mtl.com
The press conference will be followed by the launch of Espace Libre's 2016-2017 programming and will be attended by the artists and directors for the season.
Espace Libre, 1945 Fullum Street, Montréal, QC, H2K 3N3
Information/tickets: 514 521-4191
SOURCE Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal
Image with caption: "Photo Credit : Espace Libre (CNW Group/Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160822_C3988_PHOTO_EN_756799.jpg
Source Espace Libre - NTE: Rugicomm, Valérie Grig, Media Relations, [email protected], 514 759-0494; Source 375MTL: Isabelle Pelletier, 514 238-4178
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