"Une chose pour le théâtre": Ines Pérée et Inat Tendu de Réjean Ducharme
Abstract
Réjean Ducharme’s collection houses a treasure trove of typescripts and manuscripts, among which are five dactylograms of his inaugural play, Ines Pérée et Inat Tendu, officially published in 1976. Delving into the dossier of his work not only offers insights into the motivations behind each unpublished version but also allows us to uncover the playwright Ducharme as he forged his own style of conceiving a dramatic play. As we discover the unpublished variants, a tempting question emerges: can we truly grasp the essence of a play solely through its official published text? Interviews with stage professionals who have brought the play to life over the years reveal their memories. They will immerse us to the concreate moment of each staging, spanning from 1968 to 2012, each revival giving birth to a singular theatrical experience. An analysis of Ines Pérée et Inat Tendu dossier illustrates Ducharme’s deep involvement and influence in the conception and creating of “this thing for the theatre”.
The dossier takes witness to the social changes that have given it a special place in the history of Quebec theatre, which we are going to rediscover and celebrate together.