Pauline Boutal, entre les toiles et les planches

OCTOBER 22 TO NOVEMBER 1 ST 2025

Produced by

Théâtre Cercle Molière

Pauline Le Goff Boutal

Maryse Gagné

Jean-François Le Goff, Léo Rémillard, Dr. Georges La Flèche, Charles Comfort, Armand Chossegros

Tobias Hughes

Marie Le Goff, Suzanne Le Goff, Gabrielle Roy Jodi Kristjanson

René Brun, Louis-Philippe Gagnon, Antoine LeGoff

Jack Maier

Arthur Boutal

Colin Rémillard

Louise Le Goff, Louise Alexander, Christiane Le Goff

Caroline Touchette Director

Simon Miron

Playwright

Lise Gaboury-Diallo

Stage Manager

Sarah Lamoureux

Sound Designer & Composer

Nathanaël Wsiaki

Set Designer

Kara Pankiw

Lighting Designer

Éric Bossé

Costume Designer

Brenda McLean

Assistant Costume Designer

Heather Lee Brereton

Stitchers

Amelia Carlson, Kate George, Beth Toderash

Wardrobe Technician

Amand Jones

Painter

Melissa Smigelski

Props Manager

Patrick Bellemare

Acquisition of Props

Miguel Fortier

Technical Director

Miguel Fortier

Assistant Technical Director

Patrick Bellemare

Technicians

Meagan Chrest, Keith Damboise, Andréas Destilleux, Josh Gehman, Willow Isaac, Rowan Lundy, Robbie Playter, Cari Simpson

Subtitles Operator

Tommy Inthirath

Translation of the Subtitles

Loraine Forbes

Acknowledgements

Loïc Bazin, Louise Duguay, Gilles Messier

THE ESSENTIALS

Please switch off your mobile phones.

Taking photographs or videos during the performance is prohibited.

Show Duration : 2 hours, with intermission Suggested Audience : 12 years + Advisory: Use of herbal cigarettes (tobacco- and nicotine-free).

Talkback with the Artists : After the show on Thursdays, October 23 & 30.

L'aparté : Before the show on Friday October 24, Marie-Ève Fontaine welcomes Catherine Moreau to discuss Pauline Boutal's impact on the Franco-Manitoban community from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the TCM foyer.

Accessibility Services: Get access to English or French subtitles, hearing assistance devices and more. Ask our team about our accessibility services or visit cerclemoliere.com/en/accessibility to learn more.

SYNOPSIS

Witness the remarkable life of Pauline Le Goff Boutal, a woman ahead of her time. A prolific figure in the arts in Winnipeg, she flourished as both an illustrator and a painter. Her passion for theatre led her to dedicate over 40 years to Cercle Molière, including 27 years as its director, from 1941 to 1968.

Imagine being offered a special gift — a small, precious talisman meant to guide one through a life as unpredictable as it is extraordinary. A journey, unmistakably feminine, filled with twists and turns. Scenes unfold like vivid paintings: sometimes joyful, sometimes dramatic. And, little by little, a portrait emerges — not just of a life lived, but of a woman playing the leading role in her very own play… a long-running production she simply called life.

AFTER THE PLAY

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JE VEUX LIRE CECI EN FRANÇAIS

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IN THE SET

Arthur Boutal (around 1927 - 1930)

Louise & John Warwick

Photo: Ernest Mayer, Saint-Boniface

36. (page 54) Novembre (1917)

Louise Duguay

Photo: Ernest Mayer, Saint-Boniface

Autoportrait (1949)

Winnipeg Art Gallery

Photo: Ernest Mayer, Winnipeg Art Gallery

Étude, Nu féminin assis (1949)

Bernard Bocquel

Photo: Ernest Mayer, Saint-Boniface

Dessin de costume pour le Ballet royal de Winnipeg (around 1949-1950)

SHSB FCM, box 450, folder 079

Scanned image: Société historique de Saint-Boniface

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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Welcome to Théâtre Cercle Molière for the opening performance of our 100th season.

Yes, yes, you read that right! “Le Cercle” is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Did you know that it is the oldest theatre company still operating in North America, in any language? That's such a sensational fact that I want to shout it from the rooftops!

For me, stories have the power to deepen my connection with things. The play Pauline Boutal, entre les toiles et les planches is a perfect example of this: the play offers us a deep and intimate insight into the life of this great artist who left her mark on the minds and cultural scene of her time. Through the prism of her life, we witness Saint-Boniface in the last century. It was in this context that Cercle Molière was born. Since reading this play, my view of Winnipeg's French-speaking neighbourhood has changed: it now holds memories of a time when the creative force of this small community of artists, who were at the origin of our theatre, was bubbling. Saint Boniface thus becomes a palimpsest where the past and the present coexist.

Another highlight of this production is that it was created from start to finish by Manitoban artisans. It should be noted that Pauline Boutal, entre les toiles et les planches is the very first play by Lise Gaboury-Diallo, an icon of French-Canadian literature. Simon Miron, who performed in our hit production L'article 23 et sa suite in 2021, is directing the play. With sensitivity and rigour, he leads a team of dedicated designers and a brilliant cast, which brings together familiar faces (including some star players from LIM - the Manitoba Improvisation League) as well as new faces, whom we are delighted to welcome into the great Cercle family. I would also like to give a shout-out to Léo Dufault, who came up with the idea for this play. So you see, it is an entire community of passionate artists who brings you this story today.'

This is important because it enriches our experience of this area. Perhaps the next time you take a stroll through the streets of Saint Boniface, you might be filled with flashback of the last century... !

And now, let us borrow Madame Boutal's energy to say loud and clear: Place au théâtre !

Marie-Ève Fontaine

Artistic

Director & Co-Executive Director for

Théâtre Cercle Molière

Photo Sarah Lamontagne

FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT

Curtains. Silence.

February 2021. I receive an unexpected invitation. Léo Dufault and Geneviève Pelletier are already thinking about the centenary of Théâtre Cercle Molière. They offer me a role I never thought I would play: to be the author of a dramatic text celebrating the important legacy of Pauline Boutal...

How could I say yes without trembling? How could I dive into the life of this extraordinary woman who, with her exceptional talents, left an indelible mark on French Manitoba?

Theatre is an act of faith. So I said yes. With trepidation. With gratitude.

I opened the doors to Pauline's past and discovered a thousand lives in one: illustrator, painter, actress, director, manager and grande dame of the theatre. But also an elegant and strong woman, full of courage, daring and joyful stubbornness.

There were so many stories I wanted to tell: her travels, her theatre festivals, her tours with the Cercle Molière, her precious friendships, her awards, honors and triumphs. But little by little, I realised I couldn't say everything. I had to focus on certain details and leave others out. Every choice is a sacrifice.

I chose to focus on her personal life. The woman behind the icon: her desires, her passions. Her sacred fire.

And that's when theatre worked its magic: the words found their voice. Thanks to Simon Miron. Thanks to the actresses and actors. Thanks to this talented and passionate troupe.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Théâtre Cercle Molière for their trust, as well as to the University of Saint Boniface for giving me the time I needed for research and creation. I would also like to thank Simon Miron, the actresses and actors, and the entire TCM team from the bottom of my heart—they brought this crazy and beautiful adventure to life.

Tonight, we are celebrating Pauline Boutal. But through her, we are celebrating an entire community, a tradition, a language and a passion. So...

Curtains. Lights. Long live theatre. Again. And always.

Lise Gaboury-Diallo

Author of the play Pauline Boutal, entre les toiles et les planches

THE CAST

Maryse Gagné (she/her)

Pauline Le Goff Boutal

Maryse Gagné is a queer Franco-Manitoban artist from Winnipeg. From a very young age, she found a love and ease for the performing arts through FTJ, LISTE, Chiens de Soleil, and TCM's Marathon de mise en scène. You may recognise her, as she spent many years behind the bar at Cercle Molière serving you the famous order: two glasses of red wine and popcorn!

Maryse has been a performer with the Manitoba Improvisation League (LIM) for 10 years and has been the proud captain of the Yellow Team since 2022. She loves to make people laugh and tell stories that are often wacky, sometimes absurd, but also touching and authentic.

Dedication: Maryse would like to dedicate this performance to her late father, Louis Gagné, with whom she always shared a love of theatre. Louis passed away in September last year. He worked at Cercle Molière in the 1980s and worked for Rainbow Stage and the MTC for over 20 years.

Tobias Hughes (he/him)

Jean-François Le Goff, Léo Rémillard, Dr. Georges La Flèche, Charles Comfort, Armand Chossegros

Toby is an actor and improviser based in Winnipeg. During his career, Toby has worked with most of Winnipeg's theatres, and his most recent show with Théâtre Cercle Molière was Le Jardin . He is also a member of Outside Joke, an improvisational theatre company specialising in musical comedy.

Jodi Kristjanson

Marie Le Goff, Suzanne Le Goff, Gabrielle Roy

Jodi Kristjanson is an actor, director, and multidisciplinary artist. Recent credits include: Asst. Director/Director: Prophecy (TPM), A Year with Frog & Toad (MTYP), The Piano Teacher, New (RMTC), Anastasia, Once Upon a Mattress (Genesis); Asst. Music Director/Music Director: Frozen (Neptune Theatre), The Selfish Giant (DSL), Little Women (Genesis); Actor: Trouble in Mind (RMTC/Citadel), Le Monde de Gabrielle Roy (CBC/ICI Télé), Seekers of Atlantis (CCA), Whatever Happens After? (Naked Theatre), Knock Knock Ginger (One Trunk Theatre), A Winter Getaway (Hallmark). Jodi is a graduate of Drama Studio London and holds a Bachelor of Philosophy from Collège Universitaire Dominicain/ Carleton University. She is also a co-founder of Genesis School of Dance where she is the director of the musical theatre program. Much love to her family & friends. ICXC

Jack Maier (he/him/they/them)

René

Brun, Louis-Philippe Gagnon, Antoine Le Goff

Jack Maier is an actor, translator, and accessibility specialist. The last time he was on stage was here at TCM, in the show Inédit. Since then, he has remained as an in-house translator and subtitling operator. He is also part of the Vocal Image Ensemble Winnipeg (VIEW) team, which describes the visual elements of theatre, dance, and visual arts for those who are blind or visually impaired. Jack is delighted to help tell the story of Pauline Boutal.

Colin Rémillard (he/him)

Arthur Boutal

With over a decade of improvisation experience as a member of LIM, Colin is taking to the stage at TCM for the second time. This time, he will take on the role of Arthur Boutal, a man in distinguished attire, devoted to his charisma. He will bring with him his experience in dubbing children's animated series, his stint as master of ceremonies on the HéHo Late Show, and his role as Steve (Inédit, Plamondon, 2019). He is also very excited to wear the beautiful costumes.

Caroline Touchette (she/her)

Louise

Le Goff, Louise Alexander, Christiane Le Goff

Caroline Touchette is an actress from Saint Boniface. She joined the university theatre troupe Les Chiens de soleil in 2010, where she has participated as an actress in the creation of six plays, including the musical Arielle in 2013, in which she played the title role, and the role of a mother in Katrine Deniset's J'm'en vais in 2019. Caroline has also appeared on stage at TCM on numerous occasions, both in regular productions and in youth plays, most recently in Bertrand Nayet's Sous les tilleuls (2024). In 2020, Caroline travelled to Saskatoon to perform in Martine-Noël Maw's professional production of Will et Ernest, presented by the Troupe du Jour in Saskatoon, where she was nominated for an award at the Saskatoon and Area Theatre Awards - Outstanding Leading Performance. Since then, Caroline has appeared in television series including Le monde de Gabrielle Roy (2021) and Banni (2022).

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Éric Bossé (he/him)

Lighting Designer

Éric Bossé is a lighting designer and stage technician at Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg. Passionate about the performing arts, he completed a bachelor's degree in French language and literature, with a specialisation in theatre, at the University of Manitoba. Drawing on his technical and artistic experience, he puts his expertise to work in theatre production by sculpting lighting atmospheres that support and enhance the performers' work. For the play Pauline Boutal, entre les toiles et les planches, he brings his expertise to bring the stage world to life and enrich the audience's experience.

Lise Gaboury-Diallo (she/her)

Playwright

A retired teacher, Lise Gaboury is vice-president of the Association des auteur·e·s du Manitoba français (Association of French-Language Authors of Manitoba). Over the years, she has published various types of texts, including poetry books and short story collections. She won first prize in French poetry in Radio-Canada's National Literary Competition for Homestead (2004), as well as the Rue-Deschambault Literary Prize three times: in 2009 for the poetry collection L'endroit et l'envers (2009), in 2011 for the short story collection Lointaines, and in 2023 for the poetry collection Petites déviations. Her text ‘at the edge,’ selected for the special issue of Prairie Fire, ‘50 over 50: Honouring Women Writers in Canada, part 1,’ appears in the autumn 2024 issue, Volume 45, No. 3.

Sarah Lamoureux (they/them)

Stage Manager

Sarah Lamoureux is a stage manager, writer, and musician from Winnipeg. They graduated from the University of Winnipeg in Canada with a degree in theatre production and stage management. To date, Sarah has had the opportunity to work with most of Winnipeg's theatres as a stage manager. They have successfully completed multiple school tours throughout Manitoba, as well as shows in Edmonton (AB), Ottawa (ON), and Limoge (France). Their recent directing projects include Un peu partout (TCM), The Play That Goes Wrong, The Sound of Music (RMTC), Neither Here Nor There (sick&twisted), Airborn(e) (Alien Dream Productions), and Blue Beads and Blueberries (MTYP). Place au théâtre!

Simon Miron (he/him/they/them)

Director

Simon Miron is a multidisciplinary francophone Métis artist. He identify as bi-spiritual. They have participated in over 100 professional productions in Canada and the United Kingdom. Simon completed a master's degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is a graduate of MacEwan University's TheatreArts programme. They are one of the founders of The Village Conservatory for Music Theatre. In addition to their involvement in theatre (directing, dramaturgy, musical direction, choreography, etc.), Simon is involved in several film and television projects.

Brenda McLean (she/her)

Costume Designer

Brenda is a theatre designer, creator, and director based on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She has been training in, creating, and imagining theatre for over 30 years. Brenda has previously collaborated on two co-productions between PTE and TCM, Rise Red River and The Flats. She is delighted to be part of TCM’s 100th anniversary, contributing to this new play as the costume designer. Recent design credits include costume design for Billie and the Moon (MTYP), set design for Owl Calling (Roots Sky Productions), costume design for Ponderosa Pine and Raised by Women (PTE), and set and costume design for Romeo and Juliet (Magnus Theatre).

Kara Pankiw (she/her)

Set Designer

Born and raised in Canada - Kara is a theatrical scenographer. Her passion is to explore the emotional relationship one has to the physical space around them, and how this relationship influences their experience. She is excited by new work and immersive productions that push the boundaries between the audience and performers. She continues to use this as the foundation when collaborating with other creatives.

Nathanaël Wsiaki (he/him)

Sound Designer & Composer

Teacher, composer, lyricist, musician and sound engineer, Nathaniel uses sound to tell and embellish stories. His portfolio showcases web series’ (Décidémons - 2023), albums with Almost Insight, theatrical productions with Circumfero (since 2012) and the Théâtre Cercle Molière (Sous les tilleuls - 2024) and video games (Cubey vs. The Universe - 2022, Party Business Supreme - 2023).

WHAT'S NEW

Exposition: Le Théâtre Cercle Molière présente...

Until 9 January 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the CCFM Gallery (340 Provencher Boulevard, Winnipeg)

On the occasion of its centennial, the Théâtre Cercle Molière has partnered with Société historique de Saint-Boniface and Centre culturel franco-manitobain to offer the public a unique exhibition, specially designed to celebrate a century of francophone theatre in Manitoba. Step behind the scenes of the theatre and explore a hundred years of creativity. Iconic posters, set and costume sketches, photographs, and rare archival documents from the TCM collection offer a unique insight into the history and artistic life of the Théâtre Cercle Molière.

Presented in collaboration with Société historique de Saint-Boniface & Centre culturel franco-manitobain. Designed by Annie Langlois with the support of Thomas Bres.

Family Sunday

2 November 2025 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at FPFM (2-622 B, Taché Avenue, Winnipeg)

Come celebrate National Francophone Immigration Week with your family with an African storytelling session hosted by Louis Ciza!

On the program: Two traditional African tales (in French): The Gourd Monster and the Divine Ram and Saraba. After each story, an interactive exchange between the storyteller and the audience to explore the lessons and messages carried by these tales. To wrap up the morning: a fun craft workshop followed by a snack.

Presented in collaboration with Fédération des parents de la francophonie manitobaine

STAY UP TO DATE WITH OUR ACTIVITIES

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BOUTIQUE

Merchandise from Théâtre Cercle Molière is on sale in the foyer during performances and when our reception is open. (Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.)

New Season Sale

Take advantage now of 30% to 50% off merchandise from the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons!

The Molière Century merchandise is coming!

Advance sales of our centenary season T-shirts and hoodies start now. Visit the boutique table in the foyer for an exclusive preview!

As far back as I can remember, Pauline Boutal has always been more of a legend than a woman to me. The place where I fell in love with theatre bore the name of this mythical figure, a pioneer whose historic actions indirectly opened doors that enabled me to explore performing arts. Knowing her only by name, I am fascinated to encounter, through this play, a young Pauline in all her strength: a tenacious, passionate and generous woman. Pauline's career as an illustrator, presented alongside the key moments of her life, immediately captivated me. Beyond French, drawing was her primary language: thanks to it, costumes, sets and characters came to life. From her sketches to the stage, she performed true feats of magic.

To create a portrait of the great dame, I attempted to capture a fragment of this magic. In it, Pauline is both the subject and the creator: the characters surrounding her are traced from her works – fashion sketches, costume designs for the stage, comic strips and paintings. In some of these caricatures, we recognise familiar faces. Which figures from Pauline's life are hidden behind her anonymous characters?

Elevated in our cultural pantheon, Pauline's portrait is surrounded by a halo, like the central figure in a stained-glass window like the ones her father made. She is surrounded by a community she shaped with her own brush and, as a symbol of our theatre, is dressed in a gown reminiscent of the curtains that fall on the stage. The legacy Pauline leaves us extends beyond le Cercle Molière: it is the community that continues to thrive on this stage and the living stories that her art continues to tell.

Arielle Morier-Roy (she/they) is a Queer, nerdy, crafty and multiskilled graphic artist who has been working at TCM since 2016. She is deeply grateful to have been entrusted with the opportunity to create the visual identity for the Molière Century.

Find out more on the artist's webpage for the 2025–2026 season!