Lunchbox Theatre presents
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
Translated to English from Le Chant de Georges Boivin
by Martin Bellemare
Translated by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
Featuring Duval Lang as Georges Boivin
Directed by Bronwyn Steinberg
April 16 – May 5, 2024
Vertigo Studio Theatre
#161, 115 – 9 Ave. SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0P5
www.lunchboxtheatre.com
“…pure theatrical magic…so powerful it tugs at the heart…be assured the rewards are immense…The Ballad of Georges Boivin is beautifully written, directed, designed and acted, and it has so much to say about aging, friendship, and, above all, the enduring qualities of love.”
– Louis B. Hobson, Calgary Herald
“The Ballad of Georges Boivin is a really sweet and lovely story…a touching story about love, friendship, and the fear of death…a show that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun or touching show. It is certainly one that I will be encouraging my friends and family, especially my grandparents , to go see.”
– A L Couch, Calgary’s Independent Critic
At 77, Georges Boivin decides to “give the dice a roll.” Georges just lost his wife, the “centre of his universe.” But there is life after 70, and it must continue even after great loss. With his three friends, all older than he, he sets out on a cross-country road trip from Québec to Vancouver, in search of his first love who he hasn’t seen in 50 years.
The Ballad of Georges Boivin at Lunchbox Theatre featuring Duval Lang. Photo: Ben Laird
This translation was commissioned by Western Gold Theatre (Vancouver) and developed by Bouche Theatre Collective (Vancouver). The English Language premiere of The Ballad of Georges Boivin was produced by Western Gold Theatre (PAL Vancouver Theatre, 2021) featuring Jay Brazeau and John Innes as Georges, directed by Jack Paterson We gratefully acknowledge the support of Canada Council for the Arts.
Cast & Crew
Georges Boivin: Duval Lang | Director: Bronwyn Steinberg | Sound Designer: Anton De Groot | Set & Lighting Designer: Beth Kates | Costume Designer: Ralamy Kneeshaw | Apprentice Stage Manager: Michael Luong | Stage Manager: Ashley Rees
Translator Notes
Francophone playwrighting is a uniquely Canadian form. Born from different circumstances and cultural needs, there is nothing quite like it in Western English Language practice. The poetic, abstract and expressionistic live side by side with gritty realism and the mundane often becomes the fantastical.
It is no secret that elder artists face barriers to participating in the performing arts due to our professional structures and the natural process of ageing. A great joy of developing this translation was bringing artists together across cultural, lingual, and physical distances in an intergenerational creative conversation. It would not have been possible without the generosity of playwright Martin Bellemare, insight of translation dramaturg Johanna Nutter, and the input by remarkable senior artists Paul Beckett, Jay Brazeau, Micheal Grinter, Allan Morgan, John Innes, and Charles Roe.
It’s rare for a Canadian work to resonate beyond initial production. I’m thrilled the Lunchbox Theatre team has brought Georges to Calgary!
About Lunchbox Theatre (Calgary, Canada)
Lunchbox Theatre presents engaging, accessible one-act plays primarily at lunchtime, focusing on new Canadian works that examine and explore socially relevant issues. We seek to provide memorable experiences that reflect today’s realities and expand our understanding of life. Lunchbox is a hub for artistic learning — for audiences, artists as w.ell as new plays. www.lunchboxtheatre.com