Heritage Community Foundation PresentsAlberta Online Encyclopedia
Le Cercle Dramatique
; "The complete cast of 'Le Voyage des Berluron")
The performing arts receive substantial support in St. Paul, and long-standing amateur theatre organizations have added to the artistic character of the community.
In October of 1955, Le Cercle Dramatique de St-Paul debuted, under the direction of Mme. Alphonsine Gouin, with a performance of “Ces Dames aux chapeaux verts.” The play was widely attended in St. Paul and later performed to welcoming audiences in surrounding Francophone communities. The group went on to establish the “Festival des Alentours,” inviting local secondary schools to take part and inspiring them to form their own award-winning acting troupe called “le Théâtre de Chez-Nous.” Le Théâtre Chez-Nous also went on to tour Alberta as part of the “Young Canada at Work” project. Operated primarily by volunteers, the troupe’s mission is to enrich Franco-Albertan culture through the medium of live theatre. Using funds acquired from performances, the troupe has been able to send certain members to attend acting workshops offered by the Faculté Saint-Jean. Those members were then able to share their new skills with their fellow actors.
; "Sylvain Lefebure, Prudent Poirier, George Michaud, Clarence Labrie, Remi Van Brabant and Charles Oulette")
Over the years, the troupe has performed a number of French-Canadian plays, some bilingual and many of them by Western Francophone playwrights. Le Cercle Dramatique continues to offer live theatre in St. Paul and other Francophone centres throughout Alberta.
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For more on the towns of St. Vincent and St. Paul, visit Peel’s Prairie Provinces.