CQSB director general Stephen Pigeon, chair of the council of commissioners Stephen Burke and commissioner Ian O’Gallagher were present at Valcartier Elementary School on Oct. 27 for the seventh and final consultation on the future of local English-language schools. (Photo by Cassandra Kerwin) Central Québec School Board consults parents on new schools Cassandra Kerwin cassandra@qctonline.com People are talking, things are moving and a new school is being built on the South Shore of…
Tickets now on sale for QAC’s The Game’s Afoot Submitted by the Quebec Art Company Reserve your tickets without delay for the latest top-notch theatrical offering from the Quebec Art…
The new inscription on the Cross of Sacrifice honouring members of the Canadian Armed forces from the Quebec City area who died during the Afghanistan War will be unveiled on this side of the monument during the Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11. This photo was taken during the 2015 event. (Photo by Shirley Nadeau from QCT archives) Dates of the Afghanistan War added to Cross of Sacrifice Charles André Nadeau canadeau@qctonline.com On Nov. 11, at the end of the traditional Remembrance Day ceremony around the cenotaph on…
(Uwe Kern via Pixabay) NOTE TO READERS: Daylight Saving Time begins Nov. 6 QCT staff Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one…
Larry Hodgson gets the “last laugh” making goofy faces with members of his Quebec Art Company family. (Photo by J.P. Chartier) LARRY HODGSON (1954-2022) – Larry made us laugh: A tribute from the Quebec Art Company
Submitted by Cheryl Rimmer and the Quebec Art Company
Editors’ note: Acclaimed Quebec City horticultural writer Larry Hodgson passed away on Oct. 26 at the age of 68. While Hodgson was known around Quebec and Canada as The Laidback Gardener or Le Jardinier paresseux, within the local English-speaking community, he was perhaps best known for his stage presence.
The Quebec Art Company (QAC) would like to pay tribute to a gentleman we considered an integral part of our company, as well as a friend, sharing his talent and humour since the early 1990s.
Larry Hodgson was valued onstage, both to work with and watch, as well as a delightful attendee at a show he wasn’t in, especially a comedy. That man had the most infectious laugh and got every nuance and joke. We would apprise the actors whenever we had Larry in our audience so they were prepared for the ensuing laughter. He could turn a murder mystery into a farce!
Venerated as one of Quebec’s favourite gardening gurus, he was a busy man. For the last 20-odd years, he was involved mostly in QAC musicals, which we do every two years. He would always check well in advance when the next production was slated so he could, if possible, work his travel schedule around it. We were so glad he did because he embraced each of his roles with genuine enthusiasm and unabashed delight.
Some of his most memorable performances include Alfred P. Doolittle (My Fair Lady), Ali Kahim (Oklahoma), Luther Billis (South Pacific), Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Guys and Dolls), Moonface Martin (Anything Goes), Dindon (La Cage aux Folles) and Elwood P. Dowd (Harvey).
Give the man any opportunity to try something crazy and he was a big kid in a candy store. Coconut-shell brassiere, wigs, heels, hula skirt, tipsy Cockney, invisible giant rabbit, dancing gangster … bring it on, he’d say. Only Larry could get away with it with his sig- nature goofy grace that we all treasured!
We are so honoured to have had the opportunity to share some time, love, laughs and cherished memories with Larry and his family in his final days. He will be sorely missed, fondly remembered and captured forever in our archival photos and DVDs. Gone too soon, but what a beacon of dignity and courage facing his fate.
Wouldn’t it be loverly to doolittle more… ♪♫
The cast of Grosse-Île, 1847 – Élie St-Cyr, Sarah Villeneuve- Desjardins, Vincent Champoux, Érika Gagnon, Hugues Frenette, Véronika Makdissi-Warren, Marie-Hélène Gendreau and Nicolas Drolet – take a bow at the end of the fascinating play, which could be classified as a docudrama. (Photo by Shirley Nadeau) REVIEW: Grosse-IÎe, 1847 in the words of those who lived it Shirley Nadeau shirley@qctonline.com Grosse-Île, 1847 (dans les mots de ceux qui l’ont vécu) (Grosse-Île, 1847, in the words of…
Russian guitarist Grisha Goryachev had some audience members on the edge of their seats, fascinated with his virtuoso interpretations of flamenco compositions. (Photo by Shirley Nadeau) REVIEW: Flamenco guitarist Grisha Goryachev fascinates Palais Montcalm audience Shirley Nadeau shirley@qctonline.com The Société de Guitare de Québec presented its first concert of the 2022-2023 season at the Palais Montcalm…
Strange delights at Marché de l’étrange for ‘freaks’ and creatives Danielle Burns danielle@qctonline.com The Grand Marché welcomed more than 30 artisans to its upper floor over the weekend for the…
Remparts’ Malatesta makes a case to be selected by Team Canada Luc Lang luc@qctonline.com Forward James Malatesta of the Quebec Remparts is making a case to be on Team Canada’s…
It’s championship time for Rouge et Or rugby, soccer and football Luc Lang luc@qctonline.com November is championship season for several Université Laval Rouge et Or sports teams. The Rouge et…