This fonds is comprised of records created by Le Groupe de la Place Royale since its inception. Records pertain but are not limited to: administration; budgets and finances; choreographies; dance teaching and workshops; general artistic files; publicity and promotion; subject- based records; performances; printed material; touring and exchanges as well as technical records. Also found in this fonds are black and white as well as colour photographs presenting the Groupe's performances as well as practices, workshops and special events. Portraits of principal dancers are also found in the fonds. There is a considerable number of posters of various sizes announcing performances of Le Groupe in Canadian and European cities.
Audio-visual material. A large amount of sound, video and film recordings on various formats. Recordings pertain to performances, rehearsals, dance events, workshops and residencies, interviews, public service announcements as well as some material used as soundtracks and/or visual backdrops during performances.
Multi-media DVDs. These are principally multiple media records used to promote the various dancers and choreographers that have worked directly or indirectly with The Groupe Dance Lab.
Groupe de la Place Royale : The modern dance company Le Groupe de la Place Royale was formed in 1966 by Canadian pioneer dancer and choreographer Jeanne Renaud. In its beginnings, Le Groupe had two main objectives: bring together professional dancers interested in modern dance research and to promote artistic diversity and experimentation. To this aim, Le Groupe welcomed musicians, sculptors, painters, poets and costume makers in the creation of performances with its permanent dancers. The name of the company comes from the Place Royale which is located on St-Paul Street in Old Montreal and where it had its studios.
Following the departure of Jeanne Renaud in 1972, the artistic direction of Le Groupe was ensured by such renowned choreographers and dancers as Peter Boneham (main Artistic Director), Jean-Pierre Perreault and Michael Montanaro. In 1977, Le Groupe left its Montreal studios to relocate permanently in Ottawa.
In 1988, Peter Boneham took sole charge of Le Groupe's artistic direction and changed its name to Le Groupe Dance Lab/Lab de danse. The mandate of the new organization was to promote choreographic laboratories to help veteran and up-and-coming choreographers from Canada and abroad perfect their training and test their creations.
Le Groupe de la Place Royale was financially supported by numerous institutions including the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. During its more than forty years of existence Le Groupe performed on tour across Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe.
Due to financial and administrative difficulties, Le Groupe de la Place Royale/ Le Groupe Dance Lab ceased its activities in July 2009. Several of its past members, choreographers and dancers have since gone on to remarkable and recognized careers in dance in Canada and through out the world.
