Canadian performers' unions to honour Robert Lepage

Quebec actor and director Robert Lepage will be honoured in a gala celebration in Quebec City hosted by three Canadian performers' unions for his cultural contributions as an artistic pioneer.

"Mr. Lepage is an impressive ambassador for Canadian culture, for our artists, and for Quebec. He speaks to the world through his art, and in doing so, brings a part of Canada to a global audience," said Allan Teichman, president of the Canadian Actors Equity Association, an organization representing professional theatre, opera and dance artists working in English Canada.

Robert Lepage, pictured here in 2001, is recognized for being an artistic visionary who has dabbled in nearly all the performing arts: drama, opera, film and musical theatre. Robert Lepage, pictured here in 2001, is recognized for being an artistic visionary who has dabbled in nearly all the performing arts: drama, opera, film and musical theatre.

Equity is hosting the event on Sunday night with ACTRA, which represents film and television performers in English Canada, and Union des artists (UDA), which looks after French-language performers in all media.

Richard Hardacre, ACTRA national president, praised the 49-year-old actor, director and screenwriter for his abilities to "push the boundaries of performance and art."

Lepage has worked with circus troupe Cirque du Soleil as well as cementing a reputation as a theatrical pioneer in almost every performing art genre: drama, opera, film and musical theatre.

His films include Le Confessional, Le Polygraphe and Possible Worlds, while his theatre productions include The Seven Streams of the River Ota, The Dragons' Trilogy and The Far Side of the Moon.

Lepage has worked both in Canada and in Europe, often garnering critical acclaim for his directorial prowess.

He was artistic director of The National Art Centre's Théâtre français in Ottawa from 1989 to 1993.

In 1997, he founded La Caserne Dalhousie, a multidisciplinary production centre in Quebec City that is also home to his Ex Machina company.

He worked with the Canadian Opera Company on Bluebeard's Castle and Ewartung and then in Japan and Paris for The Damnation of Faust.

Lepage has also made forays into the music world, taking on the role of stage director for Peter Gabriel's 1993-1994 Secret World Tour and then again on the singer's Growing Up tour in 2003-2004.

The Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil approached him to create its permanent Las Vegas show KA in 2005.

Lepage received The Europe Theatre Prize earlier this year along with Peter Zadak.

The prize, worth €60,000 (about $91,000 Cdn), honours individuals or drama institutions whose dramatic works have "furthered understanding and insight between peoples."