Theatre had a bad reputation, even in Europe, but it wasn't always banned in New France. For example, Marc Lescarbot, a poet, came with the Champlain expedition in Acadia and mounted a play, le Théâtre de Neptune, in 1606. We can find traces of a few plays after the foundation of Quebec. Some were produced locally, mostly in religious institutions like the Jesuit's college (opened in 1635). Plays like those of Corneille or Molière also made it to the colony. The local actors were amateurs, and these representations soon drew the attention of religious authorities.

This opposition culminated in 1694 when Governor Frontenac tried to organize a public representation of Molière's Tartuffe at the Chateau Saint-Louis. Quebec's bishop, Mgr. de Saint-Vallier, was opposed to theater in general and to Molière's play in particular, which was banned by the Church three decades before that. On January 10th, de Saint-Vallier asked his priests to take a public stance in church against theatre and to denounce Lieutenant Mareuil, who had the first role in the play. On January 16th, de Saint-Vallier published two orders, the first forbidding parishoners from going to see the play, the second banning Mareuil from receiving communion. He then negociated the cancellation of the play with Governor Frontenac in exchange of 100 pistoles, and Mareuil was banned from the colony.

After that, no other public representation of theater took place during the French regime, except for religious plays, college plays and private events.