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Les Belles-Soeurs

Les Belles-Sœurs is a two-act play by Quebec playwright Michel Tremblay, written in 1965 and first professionally produced in 1968.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Les Belles-Sœurs is a two-act play by Quebec playwright Michel Tremblay, written in 1965 and first professionally produced in 1968. Set in Montreal, it follows working-class women gathered to help Germaine Lauzon paste trading stamps into booklets. The work is widely regarded as a landmark in Quebec theatre for its use of joual and its portrayal of women’s lives.

Plot

The play takes place in a Montreal home where Germaine Lauzon invites female relatives and neighbours to help paste trading stamps into booklets. As the evening progresses, the gathering turns into arguments, confessions, jealousy, and theft.

Historical significance

Les Belles-Sœurs is widely credited with transforming Quebec drama by bringing working-class speech and domestic life to the stage. It is often cited as a defining work of the Quiet Revolution era in Quebec culture.

Performance history

Written in 1965, the play was first publicly read and then professionally staged in 1968 at Théâtre du Rideau Vert in Montreal. It has since been staged repeatedly in Canada and abroad, with many translations and revivals.

Adaptations

The work has inspired later adaptations, including a 2024 film version titled Nos Belles-Sœurs, directed by René Richard Cyr. These adaptations extend the play’s cultural influence beyond the stage.

Key facts

  • The play is Michel Tremblay’s first professionally produced work.
  • It is commonly described as a landmark of modern Quebec theatre.
  • The story centres on Germaine Lauzon and a group of female neighbours and relatives.
  • Its use of joual on stage caused controversy and was considered groundbreaking.
  • The play has been translated widely and performed internationally.
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Canadian context

It is one of the most influential works in Canadian theatre, especially in Quebec, and helped define modern francophone dramatic writing in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Les Belles-Sœurs?
It was written by Quebec playwright Michel Tremblay.
When was Les Belles-Sœurs written and first produced?
It was written in 1965 and first professionally produced in 1968.
What is Les Belles-Sœurs about?
It follows Germaine Lauzon and a group of women who gather to paste trading stamps into booklets, leading to conflict, jealousy, and personal revelations.
Why is Les Belles-Sœurs important?
It is considered a landmark of Quebec theatre because it brought joual and working-class women’s lives to the stage in a major way.
What language is the play written in?
It is written in French, notably using joual, a colloquial Quebec working-class speech form.
Has Les Belles-Sœurs been adapted into film?
Yes. A film adaptation titled Nos Belles-Sœurs premiered in 2024.

References

  1. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/les-belles-soeurs
    Supports: Synopsis, cultural significance, use of joual, and 2024 film adaptation
  2. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Belles-s%C5%93urs
    Supports: Written date, first production, plot overview, and general work details
  3. Stratford Festival — https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/WhatsOn/PlaysAndEvents/Production/Les-Belles-Soeurs
    Supports: Plot summary, authorship, and characterization of the women in the play
  4. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Les-Belles-Soeurs
    Supports: Historical importance and early development of the play
  5. French Wikipedia — https://www.fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Belles-s%C5%93urs
    Supports: First production details and theater history