Broue, a ribald look at working-class life set inside a Quebec tavern, has earned a place in the record books. The play, which opened in Montreal on March 21, 1979, has been performed by the original trio of cast members since the first show. For that, it has earned a place in Guinness World Records as the longest-running theatrical play with the same cast.
The three actors -- Michel Côté, Marcel Gauthier and Marc Messier -- hoisted a pint of Guinness in Montreal on Tuesday night to celebrate their entry. They have performed the play 2,726 times.
Broue has turned into a cult classic in Quebec, where it has been seen by 2.8 million theatregoers. It has also been staged in English, as Brew, in numerous cities.
The idea for Broue, which refers to the foamy head on a freshly poured beer, was born in 1978 when the Quebec government passed a law outlawing all-male taverns. When the actors began their run, they were unknowns. All went on to TV and movie careers.
" Broue has become a cult play, a phenomenon, a unique example of longevity in the world of Quebec theatre," Côté said.
While it hasn't yet matched the longevity of The Mousetrap (playing in London since 1952), Broue is enjoying a sold-out run at Théâtre St-Denis in Montreal -- with no tickets available before October, 2007.