La Sagouine (Photo by: Dolores Breau)
La Sagouine, a play featuring one of Acadia’s most famous characters, was recently featured at Toronto’s Pleaides Theatre and enjoyed great success. Penned by Antonine Maillet, La Sagouine is portrayed by Viola Léger who embodies completely this 72 year old shrewd Acadian washerwoman. She presented a series of monologues in front of a Toronto audience asking for more. Theatre critics were full of praise and described La Sagouine as a “national treasure”. The play was presented in English for two weeks at the end of May and in French from May 31st to June 5th. The last time La Sagouine was played in Toronto was in 1979.
Many cultural critics gave a perfect score to Viola Léger in the role that has made her a well-known figure on the Canadian theatre scene. Praises were also given to the team surrounding Léger: Director John Van Bureck, set designer Yannick Larrivée, and lighting director Robert Thompson.
“La Sagouine is a cultural and artistic treasure,” simply states The Globe and Mail. Cultural critic Christopher Hoile of Toronto’s Eye Weekly states: “La Sagouine is simply essential viewing. (…) There really are no words to describe the quiet brilliance of Léger’s performance. You simply cannot imagine anyone else so fully and so compassionately embodying such an immensely rich character.” Robert Crew of the Toronto Star says: “It is, in fact, one of the little gems of Canadian theatre — gritty, honest and utterly true to life. I’ve never seen La Sagouine in French and my feeling is that it would add an extra dimension to what is already a warm, wise and wonderful piece of theatre.” Critics praised the universality and realism of the monologues and gave notice to a solid direction and the glorious lighting. Read more »
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Le Pays de la Sagouine is proud to present its 2010 Season. Starting on Sunday, June 20th, the population is invited to join in this Acadian celebration! Not to miss this year: the dinner theatre La Sagouine will be presented in English. On Saturday July 24th, mark your calendar because legendary Acadian band, 1755, will present a mega concert at le Pays de la Sagouine. As every year, various comedians are on the site daily to meet and entertain the public, as well as house bands Borlico and Les Cotchineux. A summer of celebration for all! Read more »
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The New Brunswick Arts Board (artsnb) has released the results of its February 1st, 2010, Competitions. Grants totalling $130,375 were awarded by juries of professional artists under two funding programs.
Twenty-five students will receive awards under the Arts Scholarships Program. The program recognizes and encourages New Brunswick students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and who are pursuing a career in the arts. Students can receive up to $2,500 for full-time studies in the arts and $1,000 for part-time or short-term studies. Read more »
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Tags: artist, artsnb, awards, crafts, dance, grant, literary, media, music, theatre, visual artists
Arts | Kellie Underhill | 
April 23, 2010 1:40 am | 
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Sherry Smith (left) and Marguerite McNeill in a scene from Dan McIvor’s Confession, playing at Live Bait Theatre in Sackville NB, Oct. 15-17.
Confession, last year’s new play by award–winning Canadian dramatist Dan McIvor, opens a whirlwind 3-day run at Sackville’s Live Bait Theatre tonight at 8 pm.
“This is the second in our October mini-series of three fresh, exciting, Maritime plays,” explains Live Bait’s Artistic Director, Karen Valanne. “Sheldon Currie’s touching comedy, Lauchie, Liza and Rory, played to enthusiastic playgoers from across the central Maritimes at the beginning of the month and we fully expect that trend to continue.”
Confession has been described as a play about who we were, who we are and what we will become. The action takes place both in the present moment and in the past memories of three characters who, by sharing their secrets, discover how much alike they really are: Kit, the daughter, outspoken, funny and rebellious at 21; Kath, the mother, somewhat sardonic and bitter in her 40’s; and Kitty, the old lady who tries to piece together the puzzle that is her life by finding a way to confess her greatest failing. Read more »
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The program for the 13th edition of the FrancoFête en Acadie was announced today and promises an event filled with talented artists and memorable moments. The annual not to be missed event of the arts will take place in Moncton from Wednesday November 4th to Sunday November 8th 2009. On the menu for this year: various showcases, many concerts, the SOCAN Singer Songwriter Circle, and the Oiseaux de nuit concert series.
“Much more than a working event for the cultural industry, the FrancoFête en Acadie is the ideal occasion to discover the best in francophone talent from the Atlantic Provinces and elsewhere in music, dance, theater, etc., explains France H. Levesque, Chair of the FrancoFête en Acadie. It is an extraordinary event showcasing the vitality and the creativity of our artists and a unique rendezvous during which we can honour the work and efforts of our colleagues and all those who evolve in the world of creation and distribution.” Read more »
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From August 8th to 19th 2009 Caraquet’s Old Convent will host Le Violon fantastique, a grandiose multimedia presentation. Inspired by an Acadian legend from the Catherine Jolicoeur Collection, the storyline depicts a bewitched community, a blacksmith who plays music, his eldest daughter, and a stranger with one goal: corrupting them. The Violon fantastique scenario is by Jules Boudreau and Jac Gautreau. The show is part of the “L’Acadie et ses humeurs” section of the official program of the 2009 World Acadian Congress.
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Grammy Grace: A Mid-wife's Tale
The Heritage Players are in full dress rehearsals for their latest production, Grammy Grace: A Mid-wife’s Tale set to take the stage March 21 at 6pm and March 22 at 4pm at the United Church Hall in Blackville.
Written by Valerie Sewart of White Rapids this play takes place in April 1949 as Grace Sturgeon prepares to deliver her daughter’s sixth child. With the doctor not likely to make it in time, the expectant father away in a woods camp, and five other children to take care of, Grace has her hands full.
This production will make you laugh, cry and remember a simpler time. Stewart captures the way life was like back then and audience members will enjoy mention of their neighbors, storekeepers and local landmarks.
Roast beef dinner with a variety of desserts will be catered by the 1st Blackville Pathfinders who are raising funds for their trip to Europe in 2010.
Seating is limited and both shows will likely sell out in advance. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling Lou Anne at (506)625-4336.
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