LA FABULEUSE HISTOIRE D ’ UN ROYAUME
GETS IMMERSIVE
Now in its 35 th year , the massive annual theatrical production continues to innovate with a new immersive audio upgrade
By Michael Raine with Hugo Larin
Mentions of community theatre and volunteer actors typically elicit images of charming but simple productions — DIY sets , minimal lighting , and dicey sound . That is , unless you ’ re from Saguenay , QC . That is because there is really no other theatrical production like La Fabuleuse Histoire d ’ un Royaume , which translates as “ The Fabulous History of a Kingdom .” Held each year in the 2,300-seat Théâtre du Palais Municipal , this historical production tells the creation and evolution of the region . It ’ s a mammoth production that goes all-out to wow the audience .
La Fabuleuse is billed as a show that tingles all your senses . Its massive cast of 150 volunteer actors ( who each play up to
12 roles ) is surrounded by an awe-inspiring visual and sound environment that features a scenic deployment rarely seen elsewhere , featuring horses , fire , water , cannon shots , and animals . All this is brought together so that the audience can witness the birth of Quebec ’ s Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean region and discover its history , beginning with “ Royaume du Saguenay ” ( the Kingdom of Saguenay ), a mythical country that French-Breton maritime explorer Jacques Cartier tried to reach in 1535 on his second trip to “ the new world .” Over its 35-year run , La Fabuleuse has been seen by more than 1,300,000 spectators , which is staggering for an all-French theatre production outside of any major metropolitan area . But its reputation precedes it as a little slice of Broadway in Saguenay .
Now making a grand return after a two-year forced break because of the pandemic , La Fabuleuse ’ s crew upped their game once again in 2022 with the introduction of an immersive audio system , which was delivered by LSM Ambiocréateurs , one of the most influential creators of scenic atmosphere in eastern Quebec .
For many years now , the sound of La Fabuleuse has been driven by Serge Lachance , the founder and president of LSM Ambiocréateurs . His involvement with La Fabuleuse began 14 years ago when LSM became the technical equipment supplier ( sound , lighting , video , rigging ). Lachance then became intimately involved with the production seven years ago as the sound designer and FOH engineer , a position he continues to hold .
38 PROFESSIONAL SOUND