“Another daring production awaits inside.” Does that thought cross your mind as you stand before the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous? It should. This Montreal theatre has been a home for audacious performances since 1955. It is one of the city’s oldest theatre companies. Only Th\u00e9\u00e2tre du Rideau Vert and Th\u00e9\u00e2tre du Nouveau Monde are older.
The Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous stands on Pine Avenue. It is in the borough of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. Paul Buissonneau founded it. He wanted to present his team at the Festival d’art dramatique du Qu\u00e9bec.
In 1963, the company bought a synagogue. The address was 100, avenue des Pins Est. They transformed it into their theatre. In December 1963, they inaugurated their small and cozy theatre. It had 159 seats. This ended ten years of wandering.
One notable production was L’Osstidcho in 1968. It featured Robert Charlebois. Louise Forestier also starred in it. Yvon Deschamps, Mouffe, and the Quatuor de Jazz Libre du Qu\u00e9bec were also part of the cast. These artists remain influential in Qu\u00e9bec and France.
In 1973, Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous presented the first Canadian play about a drag queen. It was Hosanna by Michel Tremblay.
Louise Latraverse took over the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous in 1984. She stayed until 1987. Louison Danis succeeded her. Latraverse promoted young creators. She showcased Th\u00e9\u00e2tre Rep\u00e8re and Robert Lepage. She also highlighted Ren\u00e9-Daniel Dubois’s play Being at Home with Claude.
Pierre Bernard became the artistic director in 1988. He served for 12 years. He revitalized the theatre. With Andr\u00e9e Lachapelle, he created the Auditions G\u00e9n\u00e9rales du Quat’Sous. Brigitte Jaques’s Elvire Jouvet 40 was a notable play during his tenure. He chose Wajdi Mouawad as his successor.
Wajdi Mouawad directed the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous from 2000 to 2004. He focused on how art helps us. He called it the “grand petit th\u00e9\u00e2tre.” Mouawad also passed the torch. A selection committee chose Eric Jean in 2004.
In 2005, Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous celebrated its 50th anniversary. It received the Prix hommage at the 11e Soir\u00e9e des Masques.
Olivier Kemeid succeeded \u00c9ric Jean in 2016. He was the artistic director until 2023. Since 2023, Catherine Vidal and Xavier Inchausp\u00e9 have jointly led the theatre.
The original building became dilapidated. It was demolished in 2007. A new building was constructed. It reopened in 2009. The project cost 4.5 million dollars.
The new Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous respects the spirit of the old one. It has won architectural awards. It features large glass panels. These let light into the ground floor. The building has superimposed blocks. Black bricks and perforated aluminum cover the exterior. The theatre space has 170 seats. That is ten more than the old version.
Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous continues its mission. It produces and presents theatrical works. It develops a unique and daring aesthetic. It supports artists who question art and society. The theatre is known for discovering new talents. It provides a space for strong voices and singular visions. The close relationship with the audience makes it a place where risk-taking is the norm. The Auditions g\u00e9n\u00e9rales discover new artists. They allow them to be seen and heard by the cultural community.
As you step inside the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Quat’Sous remember its history. Its walls hold memories of daring performances. It has launched the careers of many artists. Who knows what you will witness tonight.