James de Beaujeu Domville

Who is James de Beaujeu Domville?

James de Beaujeu Domville is a French-born Canadian theatrical producer and administrator. In addition to his theatrical work, Domville has served in several important Canadian cultural positions, including five years as Commissioner of the National Film Board of Canada.

Domville was born in Cannes, France. He studied at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and then at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, from which he gained a Bachelor of Civil Law degree.

His first theatre work was the production of the satirical musical My Fur Lady. He was co-writer and producer of My Fur Lady, which was a success, being produced at the Stratford Festival and then touring Canada from 1957 to 1958. Following on from this, Domville co-founded a theatre production company, Quince Productions. He co-produced Jubilee and Spring Thaw over the following few years, and was also involved in theatre design, helping to plan the Fredericton Playhouse and the National Theatre School of Canada.

From 1964 until 1968, he served as the National Theatre School's Director-General. He was then the Executive Director of the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde from 1968 until 1972. He also sat on the Advisory Arts Panel of the Canada Council from 1968 until 1972, serving as the panel's chairman for the final three of those years.