March 31, 2005 -

Ottawa/Gatineau -- The winners of the Prix Théâtre Le Droit/Radio-Canada 2005 theatre awards were announced on Tuesday, March 29 as part of the celebration of World Theatre Day held at La Nouvelle Scène. The Prix Théâtre Le Droit/Radio-Canada comprise three awards: the Prix du jury (“Jury Award”), presented to an artist or production from the Ottawa-Gatineau region and consisting of a $750 cash prize sponsored jointly by the daily newspaper Le Droit and Radio-Canada Radio and Television, Ontario-Outaouais region; the Prix Reconnaissance (“Merit Award”), presented to an artist or production from outside the region; and the Prix du public (“People’s Choice Award”).

The Prix du jury went to L’Hôtel by Alex Poch-Goldin, translated by Manon Saint-Jules, a Théâtre la Catapulte production directed by Geneviève Pineault and presented in March 2004. Actress Céline Bonnier received the Prix Reconnaissance for her performances in La Cloche de verre by Sylvia Plath, Dors mon petit enfant by Jon Fosse, and Les Aveugles by Maurice Maeterlinck, all three presented in November and December 2004 by the National Arts Centre French Theatre. The Prix du public was presented to Bachelor by Louise Roy and Louis Saïa, directed by Yves Desgagnés, produced by Zone 3 and presented in October 2004 by the Maison de la culture de Gatineau. The adjudicators of the 2005 awards were Odette Dumas (chair), Danièle Grenier, Caroline Barrière, Marthe Blouin and Karl Thomassin.

The presentation of the different categories of the Prix Théâtre Le Droit/Radio-Canada 2005 was the result of a close and dedicated collaboration between the Franco-Ontarian cultural association Théâtre Action, the Théâtre de l’Île de la Ville de Gatineau, the Maison de la culture de Gatineau, the National Arts Centre French Theatre, and La Nouvelle Scène and its four resident companies (Théâtre de la Vieille 17, Compagnie Vox Théâtre, Théâtre du Trillium and Théâtre la Catapulte).

The 2005 edition of the Prix Théâtre was made possible by the generous support of Le Droit and Radio-Canada Radio and Television, Ontario-Outaouais region. The inaugural Prix Théâtre Le Droit was presented in 1993 to Gilles Provost, Artistic Director of the Théâtre de l’Île.

Special thanks to Marcil Lavallée, Chartered Accountants, who supported the Prix Théâtre Le Droit/Radio-Canada 2005 by tallying the votes for the Prix du public.

Information:
Guy Warin
Communications Officer
National Arts Centre French Theatre
(613) 947-7000, ext. 759
gwarin@nac-cna.ca