Press kit – Email – www.theatredugrosmecano.qc.ca
The Théâtre du Gros Mécano has been dedicated to the creation and production of plays for young audiences since 1976 in Québec City.
Over the years, a steady stream of nearly 40 original productions, put together by professionnal artists, like block towers of all shapes and sizes, has been shared with parents and children as a game, or a playground of emotions where all discussion becomes possible.
A game that morphs into something new, that uses many voices. A game that constantly reinvents itself, production after production, with one purpose in mind: To accompany children in their life experience here and now
Some may call it the game of life, or Lego Blocks,… We call it Le Gros Mécano…*
*The Théâtre du Gros Mécano (literally : The Theatre of the Big Meccano Set) gets its name from a word play on a popular construction game using metal strips connected with nuts and bolts.
A Theatre Featuring Actors, Words and Imagery, Fantasy, Thoughts and Poetry.
The Bookshop
Colour, magic and romance !
A Théâtre du Gros Mécano (Québec) production, in
co-production with the National Arts Centre (NAC) English Theatre (Ottawa)
“Colour, fantasy, magic, and irresistible movement; a romantic comedy… that explores the serious notions of self-esteem, the desire to love and be loved, and the importance of listening to ones own heart when it goes boom, boom! and firmly seizing the day.”
Jean St-Hilaire, Le Soleil (Québec City)
Celebrated playwright Marie-Josée Bastiens romantic, charming, story about first love, chocolate, the mysteries of life, and books is on the road for its first ever production in English. Translated by Maureen Labonté, the play that so delighted French audiences is certain to be as engaging and well-loved as the original. The Bookshop is suitable for audiences between ages 8 and 98 a romantic comedy that lifts the spirits and brings a smile to the face.
The Story :
It’s the day of the grand opening! First thing this morning, Jane officially took over as owner of the old bookshop on the corner. Everything is going smoothly until she receives a visit from the charming Samuel, who has just opened a chocolate boutique next door. Jane suddenly finds herself tongue-tied with shyness. Since troubles always seem to come in bunches, who should appear in the bookshop in the middle of the night but a charming old gentleman looking for a book he had misplaced… more than 70 years ago?
“I wanted to talk about and share my love of books, those marvellous things that contain all the stories in the world, from picture books to universal encyclopaedias. I wanted to talk about the irresistible urge to take a book and devour every word, gulp down every syllable; to dive into a book, get lost in a book. Every book is unique and speaks directly to our heart. It’s a passport to imaginary worlds.”
Marie-Josée Bastien
This first play for young audiences by acclaimed author and actress Marie-Josée Bastien is directed by Frédéric Dubois, one of Quebec’s hottest young stage directors, and features, for the first time, an English speaking cast made up of some of Ottawa’s and Montreal’s finest and most exciting Anglophone actors.
The Creative Team : Set Design by Élise Dubé, Costume Design by Isabelle Saint-Louis, Lighting Design by Félix Bernier Guimond, Sound Design by Pascal Robitaille, Assistant Director Kate Hurman.
Founded in 1976, le Théâtre du Gros Mécano has earned a reputation in Canada, the United States and in Europe for excellence in the creation and production of theatre for young audiences. Artistic Director Carol Cassistat embraces the company’s mandate to offer young people a superb theatrical experience, and to introduce them to cultural events in a positive way. This first coproduction with the NAC English Theatre is warmly welcomed by both companies.
Marie-Josée Bastien, Playwright
Marie-Josée Bastien is a writer, actor, director and designer, and the cofounder of Théâtre Les Enfants terribles in Québec City, Québec. La Librairie (The Bookshop), her first play for young audiences, was inspired by her visits to a very special real-life bookshop, Shakespeare & company in Paris, France. She trained at the Conservatoire dart dramatique de Québec (where she has been teaching since 1997) and holds a certificate in theatre from Laval University. She recently collaborated on the writing of Lentement la beauté, a collective creation by Québec’s Théâtre Niveau Parking. Over the course of her career she has received numerous nominations and awards in several categories, including Best Directing, Best Original Script, Best Stage Adaptation, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She won the 1993 Prix Nicky-Roy (“Discovery of the year”), and the Prix des Arts et de la Culture de Québec. Ms. Bastien is acclaimed for her support and development of new work and her original and dynamic contribution to theatre in Québec.
Agent : Hélène Basque
helene.basque@theatredugrosmecano.qc.ca
Théâtre du Gros mécano
310, Langelier, Suite 232
Quebec (Quebec) CANADA G1K 5N3
Phone : (418) 649-0092 – (418) 649-0408