The project and its history
LA FABRIQUE DE THÉÂTRE INSOLITE
An unusual sanctuary dedicated to the creation of puppetry and object theater
La Fabrique de théâtre insolite, a venue for creation and performance by the Les Sages Fous theater company, opened in spring 2024.
This inspiring venue specializes in creating new theatrical works that are marginal, peripheral, hybrid, and unconventional.
The story of the Fabrique de théâtre insolite is a fairy tale. It is the fabulous story of a building that has been reborn in its community. It is a dream location dedicated to the ancient art of puppetry, as avant-garde as it is popular. It is the story of a company that, after traveling the world with its traveling shows, will finally have a place that will allow it to have a year-round, local, and sustainable presence in its city and region.
By hosting local and international artists in creative residencies, La Fabrique de théâtre insolite gives the entire population access to a variety of avant-garde, world-class shows.
In this way, we enable local audiences to fully benefit from all the contacts, networks, and knowledge we have acquired over two decades of international presence.
PREFIGURATION
The last few years have been epic, marked by major transformations. This significant transition was brought about by the creation of La Fabrique de théâtre insolite. We have adapted all our projects to this changing reality, establishing creative strategies to test all the activities that make up the project as a whole.
The preliminary stages of the Fabrique de théâtre insolite are divided into three phases:
IN “CAMPING” MODE (2018-2020)
Starting in October 2018, we finally had access to the church and convent, we were able to outline the artistic direction of the Fabrique project, showcase our talents with powerful performances, and grow our audience on an annual basis.
IN “PANDEMIC” MODE (2020-2021)
The pandemic forced our team to cancel the planned performances, but we were able to adapt our Micro-festival so that it could continue to serve the community by offering socially distanced residencies that took place throughout 2020-21.
IN “CONSTRUCTION SITE / ITINERANT” MODE (2022-2023)
Construction began in August 2022, but the spaces had been unusable since the beginning of the year. After conducting several exploratory studies, our team even tore up three century-old floors in the church with the aim of reusing the wood to build furniture for the Fabrique.
Put on your helmet and construction boots and take a 360° tour of the construction site.
OFFICIAL OPENING – END OF 2023
After seven years of hard work, our ambitious project dedicated to the creative process will come to fruition in November 2023.
After traveling the world with our traveling shows, we will finally have a place that will allow us to have a year-round, local, and sustainable presence in our city and region.
We will thus be able to fully share with local audiences all the contacts, networks, and knowledge we have acquired over two decades of international presence.
Extraits de presse
“I am truly proud to see all the work that Les Sages Fous has done with this creative space for the citizens of Trois-Rivières.“
M. Mathieu Lacombe
Ministre de la Culture et des Communications, ministre responsable de la Jeunesse et ministre responsable de la région de l’Outaouais
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“I am delighted to see this magnificent project come to fruition. I would also like to highlight the immense artistic contribution made by Les Sages Fous to our city.“
M. Jean Lamarche
Mayor of Trois-Rivières
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“This unusual theater project has been carefully designed by and for artists.“
Dinaïg Stall
Coordonnator of DESS puppet theater department – UQAM, 2019
This cultural infrastructure project was made possible thanks to the financial support of the following partners: Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications, Canadian Heritage, the City of Trois-Rivières, and Culture Trois-Rivières.
