« Le Petit Théâtre », the theater troupe of Alliance Française Vancouver!

The Alliance Française Vancouver has been proud to have its own amateur theater troupe since 1978. A true opportunity to enrich the range of French-language events in Vancouver, « Le Petit Théâtre » is designed as an open invitation to the entire Francophone and Francophile community.

In 1978, the Alliance Française Vancouver created a theater troupe called "Le Petit Théâtre du Pacifique." As a nod to this past initiative, 40 years later, we decided to revive it under the name "Petit Théâtre"! This troupe, made up of different actors and actresses each time, all volunteers, whether Francophone or Francophile, beginners or experienced, stages plays written by Francophone playwrights (both classic and contemporary) to celebrate Francophone theater.

« Le Petit Théâtre » stages one to two Francophone plays per year. Three key moments mark this project: auditions, which have the particularity of being open to all those who wish to participate, regardless of their level of stage experience; rehearsals, over several months, allowing actors and participants to come together and put on a play under the artistic direction of Magda Ochoa; and the performances of the play in the brand-new theater of the Alliance Française, for all audiences!

At the heart of the project lies eco-responsibility!

This project, open to the all community, evolves through suggestions and reflections while maintaining the same goal: contributing to a more sustainable cultural practice.

Costumes received special attention! Partnering with La Boussole's thrift store, the troupe will acquire decor and costume elements to be altered in sewing workshops, led by seamstress Cécile Raizonville and open to the whole community.

Photo credit: Gaëtan Nerincx.

The 2025 edition

Photo credit: Gaëtan Nerincx.

For the 2025 edition, the troupe had the pleasure of staging a classic French play! Guided by the pen and prose of Marivaux, the actors plunge into Le Jeu de l'Amour et du Hasard (The Game of Love and Chance).

First presented in 1730 at the Hôtel de Bourgogne in Paris, this classic commedia dell'arte play features Sylvia and Dorante, who, betrothed to each other, secretly decide to swap places with their infinitely funny servants, Arlequin and Lisette. Through three acts, let yourself be carried away in this playful and delicate game, modernized and delightful!

The cast presented this play over three performances on May 23, 24, and 25, 2025. It was a real success, the audience was captivated by the actors' performances, the staging, and the humor of the play.

To relive the play in pictures, check out the album of magnificent photos from rehearsals, performances and backstage.

Album Facebook Album Facebook

Missed the show or want to see it again? Watch the full recording on our YouTube channel!

The artistic team

Direction and adaptation : Magda Ochoa
Assistant to the director and design of the visuals : Emily Geoffroy
Production coordinator : Laura Carnet
Stage manager : Rochelle An
Composer, musician and musical director : Sophian Alkurdi
Lighting design and direction : Tory Ip
Surtitling : Anika Vervecken
Costumes : Cécile Raizonville
Photographer : Gaëtan Nerincx
With : David Prière, Jérémie Chanteraud, Benjamin Vernet, Dorothée Sicard, Mireille Langlois, William Amorin, Rochelle An

Magda Ochoa

Metteuse en scène
Director

David Prière

Monsieur Orgon

Mireille Langlois

Silvia

William Amorin

Dorante

Dorothée Sicard

Lisette

Benjamin Vernet

Arlequin

Jérémie Chanteraud

Mario

Rochelle An

Femme de chambre

Sophian Alkurdi

Compositeur, musicien et directeur musical

Témoignages

"Thanks to YOU! I attended the premiere on Friday evening, and it was such a fulfilling experience! My sincere thanks to Magda and all the actors for the wonderful moment they gave us. I laughed, I appreciated the precise performances, the live music, and I carefully observed every detail, letting myself be carried away by the characters' interactions and schemes. A huge thank you for helping me rediscover these emotions and a piece of French culture here in Vancouver. I'll be eagerly following Le Petit Théâtre's program so I can enjoy another beautiful evening soon!"
A public attendee

"Some might call it hyperbole, but I genuinely believe Le Petit Théâtre offers one of the best ways for amateurs to get on stage. I've never seen so many resources invested to ensure the success of a non-professional acting troupe. Every week, we were able to use the very impressive theatre at the Alliance Française for rehearsals, kindly supported by their team—Fanny, Manon, and Lola—and under the artistic supervision of Magda Ochoa.While the bulk of the experience, of course, focuses on the script and acting—an aspect that will demand a lot of commitment if you join, fair warning!—the Alliance Française also brought in professionals for costume design, music, play surtitling, and sound and lighting. In a word: it was luxury!Our five months of work culminated in three performances, which brought together a large part of Vancouver's Francophone community. It was a pleasure to perform on stage as part of this wonderful project, which truly inspired our troupe, and we wish it a long life!"
Benjamin Vernet, who played Arlequin in the 2025 edition

"I want to extend my warmest thanks to the Alliance Française and Magda Ochoa for their immense trust and for offering me this space for learning and creation. This project allowed me to strengthen my production skills and confirm my desire to pursue a career in artistic direction."
Emily Geoffroy, Assistant to the director and design of the visuals

Edition 2023

After having confronted great plays of the repertory like Un Fil à la Patte by George Feydeau, in 2023 Le Petit Théâtre marked the spirits for its return by proposing a classic play, of one of the greatest French playwrights: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme by Molière.

A rich merchant who has become a bourgeois, Mr. Jourdain wishes to become a Gentleman, that is to say a distinguished man worthy of the nobility. To do so, he trains in the greatest arts: music, dance, philosophy, fencing. His clumsy and somewhat grotesque manners provoke the mockery of his entourage, which does not hesitate to play him. Refusing the marriage of his daughter Lucile with Cléonte, under the pretext that the latter is not a gentleman, each character will use tricks to make Monsieur Jourdain change his mind.

Photo credit: Gaëtan Nerincx.

Ce programme est présenté par
This program is presented by

Avec le soutien de
With the support