Paul Buissonneau
Encyclopedia
Paul Georges Buissonneau, CM
(born 24 December 1926, Paris
, France) is a leading francophone
theatre director.
He started his career as a singer with the French chorus Les Compagnons de la chanson
, alongside Édith Piaf
who was also singing with the group at the time. He parted company with the chorus during a tour of North America
, and settled in Quebec
.
In 1952, the City of Montreal
appointed Buissonneau as artistic director of La Roulotte, a parks-based outdoor theatre, which gave an early opportunity to famous Quebec artists Yvon Deschamps
, Jean-Louis Millette
, Claude Jasmin, Claude Léveillé and Robert Charlebois
.
In 1956, he founded his own company, the Théâtre de Quat'Sous
(Four-penny Theatre) and served as its artistic director until 1989. Many famous Quebec playwrights began their career in this theatre, notably Robert Lepage
, François Barbeau, André Brassard
, René-Daniel Dubois
, and Lothaire Bluteau
.
During his 35-year career as director of the Quat'Sous theatre, he played and wrote numerous plays and TV shows. He is remembered for creating and bringing to life the character of Piccolo in the children's television series entitled La Boîte à surprises (The surprise box). The series started in 1954 and lasted up the early 1970s.
He received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1998 and the Prix Denise-Pelletier
in 2001. In 2009, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
"for his contributions to the evolution of the performing arts, especially theatre, as director of the La Roulotte and Quat’Sous theatres."
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...
(born 24 December 1926, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France) is a leading francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
theatre director.
He started his career as a singer with the French chorus Les Compagnons de la chanson
Les Compagnons de la chanson
Les Compagnons de la chanson were a French vocal group from Lyon, France, founded during World War II. Before 1946, they were part of a larger choir called the 'Compagnons de la musique'. The group met Edith Piaf in 1952 at an event in Paris, and recorded a French language song, "Les trois...
, alongside Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf , born Édith Giovanna Gassion, was a French singer and cultural icon who became widely regarded as France's greatest popular singer. Her singing reflected her life, with her specialty being ballads...
who was also singing with the group at the time. He parted company with the chorus during a tour of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and settled in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
In 1952, the City of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
appointed Buissonneau as artistic director of La Roulotte, a parks-based outdoor theatre, which gave an early opportunity to famous Quebec artists Yvon Deschamps
Yvon Deschamps
Yvon Deschamps, CQ is a Quebec author, actor, comedian and producer best known for his monologues. His social-commentary-tinged humour propelled him to prominence in Quebec popular culture in the 1970s and 1980s...
, Jean-Louis Millette
Jean-Louis Millette
Jean-Louis Millette was a French-speaking Quebec actor and writer.Millette's television career spans over thirty years: he was a cast member of many of the best-known series in Quebec, including the children's series La Ribouldingue , L'Héritage, Symphorien and Montréal P.Q. Jean-Louis Millette...
, Claude Jasmin, Claude Léveillé and Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
.
In 1956, he founded his own company, the Théâtre de Quat'Sous
Théâtre de Quat'Sous
The Théâtre de Quat'Sous is a Canadian theatre located on Pine Avenue in the borough of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal in the city of Montreal, Quebec. Established in 1955, it is the third oldest theatre company in Montreal after Théâtre du Rideau Vert and Théâtre du Nouveau Monde.-External links:*...
(Four-penny Theatre) and served as its artistic director until 1989. Many famous Quebec playwrights began their career in this theatre, notably Robert Lepage
Robert Lepage
Robert Lepage, is a playwright, actor, film director, and stage director from Québec City, Québec, and is one of Canada's most honoured theatre artists.- Life and work :...
, François Barbeau, André Brassard
André Brassard
André Brassard is a Canadian stage director and actor, best known for creating the vast majority of Michel Tremblay's plays....
, René-Daniel Dubois
René-Daniel Dubois
René-Daniel Dubois is a Québécois playwright and actor.-Movie career:He is best known for his 1985 play Being at Home with Claude, which was adapted into an award-winning film in 1992 and the 2009 Thriller drama 5150 Elm's Way...
, and Lothaire Bluteau
Lothaire Bluteau
Lothaire Bluteau is a French-Canadian actor. He was born in Montreal, Quebec and performs in both French and English. He had a recurring role in the third season of the television series 24 as the character Marcus Alvers.-Biography:...
.
During his 35-year career as director of the Quat'Sous theatre, he played and wrote numerous plays and TV shows. He is remembered for creating and bringing to life the character of Piccolo in the children's television series entitled La Boîte à surprises (The surprise box). The series started in 1954 and lasted up the early 1970s.
He received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1998 and the Prix Denise-Pelletier
Prix Denise-Pelletier
The Prix Denise-Pelletier is an award by the Government of Quebec that is part of the Prix du Québec, given to individuals for an outstanding career in the performing arts. It is awarded to a creator, performer, stage-craftsman or person who has made a noteworthy contribution in the fields of song,...
in 2001. In 2009, he 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...
"for his contributions to the evolution of the performing arts, especially theatre, as director of the La Roulotte and Quat’Sous theatres."