Gratien Gélinas
Encyclopedia
Gratien Gélinas, was a Canadian
author, playwright, actor, director, producer and administrator who is considered one of the founders of modern Canadian theatre and film.
His major works include Tit-Coq (1948), Bousille et les Justes (1959), and Hier, les enfants dansaient (1968). He also wrote a series of satirical revues known as the Fridolinades.
The Fridolinades revues, consisting of comic sketches, songs, and monologues, were named for the often-featured character Fridolin. A poor boy from Montreal, he wore a tri-colour Canadiens
hockey jersey, knee socks, and suspenders. While not quite joual
, the French he spoke was reflective of what a person would hear on the streets of Montreal, which made it stand out in sharp contrast to the continental French being spoken in most other theatres. Fridolin's boundless optimism in the face of constant disappointment came to emblemize the Quebec spirit of "survivance", and made him one of the first distinctly Canadian heroes of the stage. His success was considerable: Gélinas was declared by an adoring public to be the first playwright "de chez nous" (from our place).
Gélinas' play Hier, les enfants dansaient (Yesterday the Children were Dancing
) takes place entirely in one night. Based in 1966, it revolves around the tumultuous politics in Quebec around that time though its characters are entirely fictitious. Pierre Gravel is debating whether or not to accept a prominent position within the Liberal party. Throughout the course of the play, Gravel's sons, André and Larry, admit that they are active members of the separatist party and responsible for the bombs that had been threatening the city and destroying historical landmarks.
Gélinas also founded the Comédie-Canadienne, which was active until 1972.
In 1967, Gélinas was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
and was promoted to Companion in 1989. In 1985, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
. He received an honorary doctorate from the Royal Military College of Canada
in St-Jean in 1989.
He married Huguette Oligny
in 1973 and is the grandfather of actor and pop singer Mitsou Gélinas
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
author, playwright, actor, director, producer and administrator who is considered one of the founders of modern Canadian theatre and film.
His major works include Tit-Coq (1948), Bousille et les Justes (1959), and Hier, les enfants dansaient (1968). He also wrote a series of satirical revues known as the Fridolinades.
The Fridolinades revues, consisting of comic sketches, songs, and monologues, were named for the often-featured character Fridolin. A poor boy from Montreal, he wore a tri-colour Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
hockey jersey, knee socks, and suspenders. While not quite joual
Joual
Joual is the common name for the linguistic features of basilectal Quebec French that are associated with the French-speaking working class in Montreal which has become a symbol of national identity for a large number of artists from that area...
, the French he spoke was reflective of what a person would hear on the streets of Montreal, which made it stand out in sharp contrast to the continental French being spoken in most other theatres. Fridolin's boundless optimism in the face of constant disappointment came to emblemize the Quebec spirit of "survivance", and made him one of the first distinctly Canadian heroes of the stage. His success was considerable: Gélinas was declared by an adoring public to be the first playwright "de chez nous" (from our place).
Gélinas' play Hier, les enfants dansaient (Yesterday the Children were Dancing
Yesterday the Children were Dancing
Yesterday the Children were Dancing, or Hier, les enfants dansaient, is a Canadian, specifically Québecois play by Gratien Gélinas.The story is about a member of parliament, Pierre Gravel, who is offered the post of Minister of Justice...
) takes place entirely in one night. Based in 1966, it revolves around the tumultuous politics in Quebec around that time though its characters are entirely fictitious. Pierre Gravel is debating whether or not to accept a prominent position within the Liberal party. Throughout the course of the play, Gravel's sons, André and Larry, admit that they are active members of the separatist party and responsible for the bombs that had been threatening the city and destroying historical landmarks.
Gélinas also founded the Comédie-Canadienne, which was active until 1972.
In 1967, Gélinas was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
and was promoted to Companion in 1989. In 1985, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
. He received an honorary doctorate from the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
in St-Jean in 1989.
He married Huguette Oligny
Huguette Oligny
Huguette Oligny, is a Canadian actor.She married Gratien Gélinas, a great pioneer of Quebec theater, in 1973.In 1984 she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1996. In 1999 she was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec.-External links:...
in 1973 and is the grandfather of actor and pop singer Mitsou Gélinas
Mitsou
Mitsou Annie Marie Gélinas is a Canadian pop singer, businesswoman, television and radio host, and actress...
.
External links
- Gratien Gélinas at The Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian Encyclopedia is a source of information on Canada. It is available online, at no cost. The Canadian Encyclopedia is available in both English and French and includes some 14,000 articles in each language on a wide variety of subjects including history, popular culture, events, people,...
- Library and Archives Canada biography