From July 23 to 28, Le Concierge transformed the corridors of Kingston’s two French-language secondary schools into a theatrical world that was as surprising as it was moving. Without a single spoken word, this creation by Vincent Leblanc-Beaudoin, Daniele Bartolini, and Christoph Ibrahim invited audiences to follow a night-shift caretaker through an immersive journey where everyday reality gradually gave way to dreams. Blending realism, poetry, and imagination, the production encouraged audiences to reflect on the effects of loneliness, our need for human connection, and the often-overlooked role of essential workers in our society.
Beyond its performances, Le Concierge also left a lasting impact on the community through an artistic residency offered to students from École secondaire catholique Sainte-Marie-Rivier and École secondaire publique Mille-Îles. Over several days, these young francophone artists had the opportunity to collaborate with the creative team and take part in a professional theatre production. Their dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm helped make this artistic adventure a truly enriching experience filled with learning, collaboration, and meaningful encounters. Thank you to each and every student who participated in this exceptional project.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Normand Dupont, who led the post-show discussion following the Friday, July 24 performance. This conversation gave audiences the opportunity to delve deeper into the creative process and engage with the artists about the themes explored in the production.
Le Concierge also received significant media attention, highlighting both the originality of the production and its impact on the community.
- À échelle humaine – Le Concierge : spectacle immersif présenté à Kingston
- Y a pas deux matins pareils – Culture : « Le Concierge » à Kingston
- ENT: Immersive play kicks off this year’s Kick & Push theatre festival
- Kingston Theatre Alliance – A Wordless Wonder: ‘Le Concierge (The Caretaker)’
- Kingston Theatre Alliance – En conversation avec: Daniele Bartolini, Christoph Ibrahim, et Vincent Leblanc-Beaudoin
- CFRC – July 24th show at 3pm from 29:18
- Le concierge, my impressions by Normand Dupont
- Le Concierge interview by Tracey Guptill
Centre culturel Frontenac sincerely thanks Vincent Leblanc-Beaudoin, Daniele Bartolini, and Christoph Ibrahim for offering Kingston audiences such a unique, moving, and memorable theatrical experience. Thank you for inviting us to see the world from a different perspective and for sharing your remarkable talent with our community.
We also wish to thank our valued co-presenter, The Kick & Push Festival, for its trust and collaboration, as well as Les Tréteaux de Kingston, the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO), and the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) for their support in bringing this project to life.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed, in one way or another, to making this adventure possible. Thanks to the artists, students, partners, volunteers, and audiences, Le Concierge will leave a lasting impression on Kingston’s francophone cultural landscape. We already look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable artistic experiences.
Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to our partners and funders for their continued support throughout the season:
Canadian Heritage | Ontario Arts Council | Ontario Government | City of Kingston | Kingston Arts Council | Tourism Kingston | Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario | Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est | Community Spirit Gaming Centre | Réseau Ontario | ACFO Mille-Îles | Les Voyagements | Les Tréteaux de Kingston | | Fédération culturelle canadienne-francaise | PassepART | Théâtre Action | Réseau de soutien à l’immigration francophone de l’Est de l’Ontario | The Kick & Push Festival | Skeleton Park Arts Festival | Live Wire Music Series | le FestivÎLES | Gananoque Town | Centre franco-ontarien de folklore | Mayla | LaVida Bistrobar & Social | The Duchess Pub | The Iron Duke