Popular theatre as an expression of community

Abstract

In this paper we have examined evidence in French- and English-language Canadian theatre of a widespread trend towards the use in the legitimate theatre of the genres and ethos traditionally associated with popular entertainments. We have seen how the two cultures have expressed their identities in works based on popular models, by intellectualizing them and adapting them to particular milieux. Our survey has revealed distinct regional popular theatres whose appeal is based on geographic, economic, historical and linguistic factors. We have noted that the growth of the popular theatre movement in Canada corresponds with what is happening in other countries, particularly in the period between 1965 and 1975, and how this movement evolved from a common fascination with total theatre in the West in the twentieth century.