[1] The Fridolinades revues, consisting of comic sketches, songs, and monologues, were named for the often-featured character Fridolin.

Fridolin's boundless optimism in the face of constant disappointment came to emblemize the Quebec spirit of "survivance", and made him one of the first distinctly Canadian heroes of the stage.

His success was considerable: Gélinas was declared by an adoring public to be the first playwright "de chez nous" (from our place).

[1] Gélinas' play Hier, les enfants dansaient (Yesterday the Children were Dancing) takes place entirely in one night.

Throughout the course of the play, Gravel's sons, André and Larry, admit that they are active members of the separatist party and responsible for the bombs that had been threatening the city and destroying historical landmarks.