If so many children laughed and moved with Élyse Marquis, it was thanks to the many shows of the 1970s and 1980s that delighted them. The little girl, faithful to the dates of returning from school, has become an actress with many TV projects for young people …
Élyse, which children’s programs have influenced you?
Photo provided by Radio Canada
Ghyslain Tremblay, Michèle Deslauriers, Denyse Chartier and André Cartier at Pop Pumpkin
Kids shows have really changed my life! While watching Bobino, Picotine, Fanfreluche and Pop Citrouille, I wanted to be an actress. Actually, I wanted to be friends with these characters. I wanted to be part of their gang.
When I got into theater school, I had a specific purpose of doing children’s shows. And I was served! I played in Watatatow and 0340 on Radio-Canada, Le Club des 100 Watt on Télé-Québec and I had the opportunity to take part in several shows on Canal Famille including Télé-Pirate, Enfanforme, Génération W, Chat boume and Pinpon.
What are your fondest television memories from your childhood?
Photo taken from IMDB
Linda Wilscam in Picotin
I loved coming home from school knowing I could sit in front of the TV and watch Bobino, La Ribouldingue, Fanfreluche and Picotine.
Also, a few years later, I took part in La Fureur – Halloween Special. We had the opportunity to choose our costume from Radio-Canada’s costume designer. When I saw Picotines, I wanted to put them on immediately. Linda Wilscam, Picotine’s interpreter, saw me at La Fureur that evening and wrote me that she had been beaten. In the envelope she put the ribbons Picotine wore in her hair. I gifted the dress to the customer but I still treasure those ties.
Did you watch a lot of TV when you were young?
When I was little, I watched Saturday Heroes (we saw young people excelling in their sports) and homecoming programs from school. The rest of the time we play outside! I remember the Happy Sundays theme my parents used to hear. It was the signal that I had to go to bed.
Is there a character that influenced you?
Photo taken from IMDB
André Montmorency (left) and Jean-Louis Millette in the show La ribouldingue
Actor Denis Bouchard starred in the youth show Pop Citrouille. It was a bit like the ancestor of Télé-Pirate. A show with skits and songs. I loved this show. One day I wrote to Denis Bouchard, who was kind enough to reply and invite me to the set of Pop Citrouille. I couldn’t get over finding myself in a Radio Canada studio surrounded by these wonderful actors. At that very moment, I believed my dream of becoming an actress was possible.
Would you do youth television again?
I had so much fun performing at youth shows that I would do it again tomorrow morning! We did a short show tour with Télé-Pirate and Enfanforme; It was so great to meet the kids and teenagers after the show. Seeing the stars in their eyes is priceless!! Youth television is really important and it’s an honor to have been a part of so many people’s childhoods. Every week people talk to me about Télé-Pirate or Enfanforme!
Élyse Marquis will be at the top of the 12e season of bosses! which starts on Monday at 8 p.m. on ICI Télé.