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Éverard Maillet/L'Étoile

The Ordre du Bon Temps, the restaurant and theatre at the Pays de la Sagouine, in Bouctouche, South-East New Brunswick, were completely destroyed by a fire, whose origin has yet to be determined.

BOUCTOUCHE - The Ordre du Bon Temps, the restaurant and theatre at the Pays de la Sagouine, in Bouctouche, South-East New Brunswick, were completely destroyed by a fire, whose origin has yet to be determined. The fire started last night around 11 p.m. Firefighters arrived quickly on the scene, but the flames had already taken over the building.

“The restaurant is a complete loss. We’ve lost our theatre as well as most of the technical equipment, sets, and costumes that have been used in all of the plays since the opening of the Pays de la Sagouine 16 years ago. The Bouctouche region and all of New Brunswick have lost a historic monument. Several historical events took place on that stage, like when the world leaders of 52 countries met at the Sommet de la Francophonie in 1999,” recalled Paul LeBlanc, executive director of the Pays de la Sagouine.

This restaurant and theatre, with a capacity of 250 people, offered dinner theatre, among which the ever famous Christmas dinner theatre, whose rehearsals started a week ago. “Unfortunately, we will have to cancel the show. It was going to be on stage in November and December. Obviously, we’re very sad about what happened because we know how the Christmas dinner theatre at the Pays de la Sagouine had become a tradition for many families, work colleagues, and friends everywhere. We will inform the public shortly about reimbursements,” explained Paul Leblanc.

Acadie’s greatest actors and artists have all set foot on the Ordre du bon Temps stage. Today, all are dismayed by this news. The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed. More details will be released as they are made available.