Public Reading: A Tribute to Marie Laberge at St. John
December 9, 2026 at Espace culturel St. John.
Les Fougueux de la scène invite you to discover C’était avant la guerre à l’Anse à Gilles, the Governor General’s Award-winning work by Quebec author Marie Laberge.
Following the performance (in French), audience members will have the opportunity to meet Marie Laberge, purchase her books and have her works signed. You are also welcome to bring your own copies.
To mark her 50-year artistic career, this play sheds light on a reality that remains surprisingly relevant today, even though the story takes place nearly a century ago, between 1931 and 1936.
In a village where nothing seems to change, the play portrays the lives of women in rural Quebec as they face the weight of tradition, poverty, and social and religious control. Behind their silences and sacrifices lies a deep desire for emancipation.
Director: Isabelle Villeneuve
Production Manager: Arnold Van Genuchten
ABOUT ST. JOHN
Enjoy this performance in a truly unique venue: l’Espace culturel St. John, a former Anglican church built between 1882 and 1885, now transformed into a space dedicated to arts and culture. A true architectural gem, this intimate hall is located on Shefford Street in the heart of Old Bromont. This lively area features beautiful heritage buildings home to cozy cafés, fine restaurants, and one-of-a-kind shops—an ideal place to extend your cultural outing!
