La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines is an intimate theatre in Montreal, dedicated to contemporary and experimental performing arts. Founded in 1990, it is both a creative space and a performance venue, run by an organization devoted to promoting live work across the arts.
The venue is located at 3700 Rue Saint-Dominique, just steps from Boulevard Saint-Laurent, in the heart of the city. That makes it an easy addition to an evening spent exploring the Plateau and the Boulevard's restaurants and bars.
What you can see
The programme is broad. It includes dance, theatre, music, visual arts, performance and circus, and it leans toward interdisciplinary and alternative forms that sit between categories. Because the space is small, most productions feel close to the audience, and the atmosphere tends to be attentive and conversational.
The theatre also gives a platform to both emerging and established artists. A visit can be a way to encounter work at an earlier stage of an artist's career, or to see more experimental approaches than a large mainstream stage would typically offer.
Before you go
- The venue has a bar, which opens one hour before each performance, so you can arrive early and settle in.
- Check the venue's website for the current programme, performance times and ticketing, as these change from season to season.
- Reservations can be made by phone at 514 843 7738 or through the venue's website.
If you are curious about live work that takes risks with form, La Chapelle is a good place to start. Come with an open mind, and you may leave with a new view of what performance can be.