A unique journey of the senses in Sherbrooke
After more than 1,000 performances of Traces et Souvenances and Par le Chemin des Fresques, Traces et Souvenances Productions is launching a third touring show this summer: Ventreville, A theatrical journey to stimulate the mind and the belly.
During an animated urban tour, 15 colourful characters from different eras will take guests on a walking tour of some legendary, gastronomic, monumental or curious hubs in downtown Sherbrooke. From a beer tasting at the edge of a crime scene from another time to a Greek choir doing slam poetry in a construction site, visitors will see that Wellington Street has always had a beautiful and eclectic vibe! The show starts near the parking lot of the old Siboire station at 80 Depot Street and ends at Strathcona
Square, in front of City Hall.
“I wanted to tell the story of our city centre, its past but also its present. To bear witness to its cultural identity. To take the Well Sud project in hand and bring the public into it. To talk about itinerancy, street work, slam poets, the positive but also more delicate impacts of the Espace Centro project... To talk about the Well’s hours of glory, from south to north, to talk about love too, about drifts, parties and ruptures. To put the spotlight on our restaurant owners, our businesses and our craftsmen. It was a great challenge for the authors, who really rose to the challenge,” explained Lysanne Gallant, general and artistic director of Productions Traces et Souvenances, also the show’s designer and director.
A blend of culture, history, tourism and heritage, Ventre-ville integrates commerce and gastronomy into its narrative. “While several scenes will take place in the street, others will unfold at Siboire, the Liverpool Resto Billard Night Life and the O Chevreuil restaurant, three partner businesses that, in addition to offering the public a little drink and a bite to eat, will generously lend their spaces to the show. The Ça beigne company will also offer the public a little sugar! “concluded Ms. Gallant.
Co-written by André Gélineau and William S. Messier, Ventre-ville will run from July 8 to Aug. 28, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 4 to 6:15 p.m., rain or shine! Marianne Roy is the show’s co-director, Guylaine Carrier served as costume and props designer and Victor Choinière is production manager.
Actors Victor Choinière Champigny, Lysanne Gallant, Michel-henri Goyette and Magali Saint-vincent will share the roles of the 15 or so characters in the show.
The Economic Development Office, through its Mitigation Program, is also injecting $21,700 into the show’s presentation, and Destination Sherbrooke, a partner from the outset, is handling the promotion, marketing and ticketing of the event. “For the City of Sherbrooke, it was important to make our contribution to this new theatrical journey by Productions Traces et Souvenances. It retraces the past, but it also looks to the future,” commented Chantal L’espérance, chair of the downtown revitalization committee and president of the borough of Les Nations.
Ventre-ville is a new summer event not to be missed! To reserve seats, the ticket office is online! Don’t forget to bring a water bottle, a hat and an umbrella!
For information and reservations: www.ventre-ville.com.