Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
Théâtre du Rideau Vert
Company in Montreal, Quebec , founded in 1949 by Mercedes Palomino and Yvette Brind'Amour. Mme Brind'Amour was artistic director until her death in 1992, when she was replaced by Guillermo de Andrea . The current artistic director is Denise Filiatraut. Céline Marcotte is the director general.
The company was launched with a production of Lillian Hellman's Les innocentes/The Children's Hour, directed by and starring Mme Brind'Amour. Over the years, many of the country's great actors walked across Mme B and P's boards including: Denise Pelletier , Jean Gascon , Gérard Poirier and Geneviéve Bujold .
But from traditional theatre, the Rideau Vert took a gigantic leap forward in 1968 with the premiere of Michel Tremblay 's Les Belles-soeurs (directed by André Brassard ). Although it had presented premieres before and did after, this was perhaps one of the most significant in the history of modern Canadian theatre. From the placid little house which presented the works of Shakespeare , Molière , Ibsen and Feydeau, Rideau Vert launched itself into the forefront of the new Quebec theatre. Since 1972 and Rideau Vert's production of La Sagouine , the company has championed the theatrical career of Antonine Maillet as well, presenting the premieres of most of her plays and translations.
The company has also toured extensively in Canada and abroad (to Europe and Russia). Since 1968 the Rideau Vert has owned (and in 1992 extensively renovated) the same theatre on St-Denis Street. It is a monument to nearly five decades of fiscal and artistic ups and downs, but also of solid, accomplished theatrical life.
The company began its 50th season with the production of a new work by Michel Tremblay, the brilliant Encore une fois, si vous le perméttez . It continues to present classics of all repertoires, including, in 1999/2000, works by Brecht and Shaw.
Website: www.rideauvert.qc.ca
Last updated 2010-04-12
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