Lamarche Michel

Article by Françoise Le Guen
Cornwall Express
27 May 2010

Resident of Cornwall since 1993, Michel Lamarche is retired for almost two years and, like many retirees, he has never been so busy. Michel dreamed of doing something totally different from those activities he knew.

A completely fulfilled wish! And from one activity to another, life has thrown him in the francophone community. "I can not say no, he told us with a smile. "In view of all its implications, Michel Lamarche is, without doubt, a curious man, passionate in communication.

To start, Michel has been with the theatre for five years, in Gatineau, at the Markalou Theatre. He is currently rehearsing for a new part "Ils, sont donc fols ces soldats." This is precisely the drama that opened the doors of the Francophone community activities. Last November, he was part of the play ''Villemaire décroche son Molière'' and his adventure had begun.

"I wondered how the Amalgam could provide continuity, links between actors between plays (every two years). During a discussion with the group, the idea sprang why not an improvisation league? Robert Perron of l'Amalgam knew improvisation for having participated to in Montreal and Halifax. And we decided to create the improvisation league LILA. Initially, the project was to be presented in schools with 5 or 6 players. But LILA created a lot of enthusiasm; its growing fast.
 
Then everything intertwined rapidly. Michel joins the CHOD 92.1 FM and makes his debut on the radio, first by doing interviews and from that week on as host every Thursday.

"I love doing interviews, says Michel, I meet artists and I discovered all kinds of people and participate in all kinds of interesting activities. Like, for example, ''I joined in the march walking in high heels'', organized by the Centre Nova - French CALACS Prescott-Russell. "The men were asked to walk a mile in the shoes of a woman, on May 1, to demonstrate their support for the prevention of sexual assault and violence against women. For Michel Lamarche doing interviews is the best job in the world. ''Valorizing people is important to me. Recognizing each person's value.''

At the moment, Michel Lamarche also repeats with the troupe of Théâtre des Coquelicots, in Montreal for the play Le mariage de Marie à Gusse à Baptisse . He is enthusiastic. It is an extraordinary play. The original play, The Marriage of Miss Beulemans, was adapted into 14 languages ??and has traveled the world.

It has been described as a masterpiece by Marcel Pagnol of the l'Académie française and is the most played in the world in the Belgian comedy theater's repertoire. The performances will be given in October 2010 a the Olivier Guimond Theatre.

"In addition to having fun, I gained experience in working with different directors scene, he said." At this moment, in Cornwall, Michel in collaboration with Nicole Labelle, l'Amalgam, lead workshops with young people from the Marie-Tanguay school, to mount a play to be presented during ''la Foire des petits francos.''

And finally, Michel Lamarche prepares a car rally for 24 June with his cronies Claude Villemaire and Robert Perron of l'Amalgam.