Le Fâcheux Théâtre : Committed to the Social Good
Founded in 2017 by Sylvain Sabatié, Fâcheux Théâtre is a non-profit professional theater company that has since become a Gatineau staple. Its Molière in the Park summer program in particular offers a unique and convivial experience, revisiting Molière’s repertoire and language with a contemporary twist. Every year, the company attracts an ever-growing and varied audience, thanks to the quality of its productions, its acerbic and entertaining approach and its “pay what you can” formula.
Fâcheux Théâtre stands out for its boldness and inclusivity, also presenting reinterpretations of other classics and more contemporary plays (such as Larry Tremblay’s “Dragonfly of Chicoutimi” presented in 2024) with a clear objective: to resonate with today’s social issues and be made accessible to all, regardless of cultural or theatrical background.
Theater as a tool for social reflection
For founder and artistic director Sylvain Sabatié, theater is much more than an art form: it’s a lever to stimulate reflection and provoke social dialogue. “I’m self-taught. I studied sociology, so all these social issues are of particular concern to me, and I find that theater, and comedy in particular, is a tool to speak about certain issues, get people to think, and play a bit of a civic role in the public arena”. Fâcheux Théâtre‘s productions aim to raise awareness, educate, mobilize, AND entertain.
“I find that theater, and comedy in particular, is a tool to speak about certain issues, make people think, and play a bit of a civic role in the public arena.”
This vision goes hand in hand with a commitment to democratizing culture and bringing it within the reach of society as a whole, notably through free performances. However, these initiatives rely on essential public subsidies, as Sylvain Sabatié reminds us: “Imagine a society where profitability was the main criterion to determine which art forms can exist! It would be eye-opening to see just how much would be made inaccessible should subsidies be eliminated. Funding thus plays a crucial role in preserving a democratic and diverse cultural offering.
That said, the issue of accessibility is not just an economic one; the venue also matters:
“It can be a bit scary to enter a place like a theatre […] even when admission is free, especially for people who aren’t familiar with the conventions. So by playing outside, we remove this constraint, we remove the weight of the institution, which is not the same everywhere obviously, but which is always somewhat present.”
When efforts get rewarded
The year 2024 was an exceptional one for Fâcheux Théâtre, which received “the most prestigious awards of [its] existence”.
At the Prix Rideaux Awards, the organization recently won the “Production of the Year” award for The Dragonfly of Chicoutimi, while “Design of the Year”, “Performance of the Year” and “Behind the Curtain” were also presented to members of the team. The organization also won the “Organization of the Year” award at the Culturiades Gala organized by Culture Outaouais.
Photo credit: Catherine Archambault
“It can be scary to enter a place like a theatre […] and so by playing outside, you remove that constraint, you remove the weight of the institution.”
However, the reality behind these achievements is not without its challenges, including the difficulty of running an organization without employees and developing new productions and projects when subsidies are not keeping pace.
Despite all this, and to demonstrate that the arts and culture sector has something to contribute and that there are ways of doing things differently, Fâcheux Théâtre intends to continue, inspired by a strong vision and values centered around sustainability, respect, and the well-being of artists and the local community :
- An eco-friendly approach: Sets and costumes made from recycled or borrowed materials, minimizing the ecological footprint while fostering creativity
- Healthy working conditions: Providing artists with a respectful and pleasant working environment, and fair remuneration
- A collaborative ethic: Refusal to cooperate with individuals or companies whose values do not align with those of respect and cooperation that define the organization
Working with The Storyteller
How did you come to work with The Storyteller?
Fâcheux Théâtre had the opportunity to work with The Storyteller as part of Culture Outaouais‘ TREMPLIN program. It was extraordinary because, all of a sudden, we had someone to support us in communications, and whose expertise it is. Thanks to the program, we were able to benefit from better support at a lower cost.
What features or qualities do you appreciate most about The Storyteller?
Geneviève immediately stood out for her proactivity and creativity. She came up with ideas that we probably wouldn’t have thought of. She quickly adopted the organization’s philosophy and DNA.
What are the positive impacts of working with The Storyteller?
Several noteworthy achievements were accomplished through this collaboration:
- A partnership and sponsorship plan: This document provides a solid foundation for the future.
- More efficient communications: This lightened our workload while reinforcing our professional image.
Many thanks to Sylvain Sabatié for taking the time to chat with us. To keep up with Fâcheux Théâtre, subscribe to its Facebook page. You can also show your solidarity by making a donation on its Zeffy profile.
