A well-known Acadian play will be getting some new blood. La Sagouine has been performed in Bouctouche, N.B. twice a week for the last 21 years, all by one woman, Viola Leger.
Leger has long been the face of Antonine Maillet’s play, immersing herself in the role of the Acadian cleaning lady from rural New Brunswick.
But a demand for more shows has prompted auditions for new actresses to fill the role.
“We have Madame Leger on contract with us two days a week, but the visitors are saying, what about the five other days?” says Pier Furness, acting general manager at Le Pays de la Sagouine.
Leger won’t be leaving the show but she can’t perform the play seven days a week, so new actresses are being asked to audition for the role.
“Of course, whomever will play the role will have big shoes to fill,” says perform Irene Maillet, who has worked with Leger for 13 years.
A collection of theatre experts, along with the play’s author, will be part of the selection committee.
“We need somebody who's going to come with their own soul, with their own interpretation of that role and really that's what we're looking for,” says Maillet.
More than 70,000 people visit Le Pays de la Sagouine every year and the one-woman play is always the highlight.
“We've watched her on TV, she's traveled to Quebec to do her show, so for us to come here, it's almost a must,” says tour guide Gabrielle Cote.
Auditions will wrap up by the end of July. Nine semi-finalists will be chosen. From there, up to three will make the cut and take to the stage next summer.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis
