Bouche Theatre Collective

Speak Beyond Language

The Ballad of Georges Boivin (Vancouver CAN)

The Ballad of Georges Boivin (Vancouver CAN)

by | | 1.Landing Page, 3.Development, News

“A superb show, with a superb actor!”
– EntertainmentVancouver.com

Upintheair Theatre Presents
The Creatus Project & Bouche Theatre Collective
In association with
Western Gold Theatre & Presentation House Theatre

THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN

By Martin Bellemare
Translated by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
Directed by Jack Paterson* | Featuring Allan Morgan as Georges*

The rEvolver Festival
Saturday May 25 @ 3:30 pm & Talkback with Dr. Julia Henderson
Sunday May 26 @ 3:30 pm & Talkback with the artists
The Cultch (1895 Venables Street, Vancouver BC V5L 2H6)
More info: www.upintheairtheatre.com

“…explores with great insight thematic territory I’ve never seen covered before… an intimate — and rewarding — conversation about love.” – Colin Thomas, colinthomas.ca

“…insightful, thoughtful and mind-expanding…a beautiful play, filled with hope and longing and the realization that yes, there is life and love well into our golden years!” – EntertainmentVancouver.com

Allan Morgan in The Ballad of Georges Boivin
(rEvolver Festival, The Cultch 2024)

At 77, Georges Boivin “gives the dice a roll”. Georges just lost his wife, you see, 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 road trip from Québec to Vancouver, in search of a first love whom he hasn’t seen in 50 years. A play about love in all it’s various forms.

CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM
Featuring Allan Morgan* | Director: Jack Paterson* | Stage Manager: Andy Sandberg | Associate Director: Hannah Siden | Set Designer: Glenn Macdonald | Sound Designer: Stephen Bulat | Video & Video Systems Design: Joel Grinke & Vanka Salim | Lighting Designer: John Webber | Assistant Lighting Designer: Chengyan Boon | Company Technician: Kaeden Atkinson-Hill | Senior’s Access Consultant: Dr. Julia Henderson

* This is a Canadian Actors’ Equity Association production under the Festival Policy. rEvolver Festival is an approved festival under Canadian Actors’ Equity Association’s Festival Policy.

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.

Gallery

Jay Brazeau and John Innes in The Ballad of Georges Boivin
(Western Gold Theatre @ PAL Studio Theatre, 2021)

Director/ 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 older artists might face age-related physical and cognitive changes. However, far greater impediments to their successful participation in the arts are the social stigmas of ageism and ableism. No matter what their age or their physical or mental abilities maybe, older artists can and must have their place in the arts respected and supported.

On this project, we explored forms and aesthetics specifically from tools to support Senior artists and in performance in festival touring. We asked “what new is created when we make access integral to creation, design, rehearsal, and presentation processes?” And by doing so – draw attention to the needs of our ageing population in an intergenerational conversation and illuminate the experience of seniors’ day to day living.

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.

Creating artist access supertitles
(rEvolver Festival, The Cultch 2024)

2021 | English Language Premiere

Produced by Western Gold Theatre
In association with Bouche Theatre Collective
Featuring Jay Brazeau and John Innes alternating as Georges Boivin in repertory

November 10 – 28, 2021
PAL STUDIO THEATRE – 581 CARDERO STREET, VANCOUVER
www.westerngoldtheatre.org

Cast & Crew
Assistant Stage Manager: Jessica Adamson | Assistant Lighting Designer: Chengyan Boon | Sound Designer: Stephen Bulat | Video & Video Systems Design: Joel Grinke | Costume Designer: Alaia Hamer | Senior’s Access Consultant: Dr. Julia Henderson | Artistic Director: Tanja Dixon-Warren | Set Designer: Glenn Macdonald | Assistant Director: Hannah Siden | Video & Video Systems Assistant: Vanka Chaitra Salim | Stage Manager: Ingrid Turk | Access And Surtitle Coordinator: Anika Vervecken | Lighting Designer: John Webber

We gratefully acknowledge the support of:

Ingrid Turk, Kaeden Atkinson-Hill, Upintheair Theatre, Western Gold Theatre, Presentation House Theatre, & Supertitles.gr

The Ballad of Georges Boivin at the Lunchbox Theatre (Calgary CAN)

The Ballad of Georges Boivin at the Lunchbox Theatre (Calgary CAN)

by | | News

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

Our Success is Measured in the Success of Others

Our Success is Measured in the Success of Others

by | | News

Canadian New Works Abroad

Our Success is Measured in the Success of Others

Over the last five years, Bouche Theatre Collective and Creative Producer Jack Paterson have worked hard to introduce new Canadian works to artists and organisations across Canada and abroad.

We do this by sharing texts for potential translation, introducing and connecting artists and organisations, providing insights on translation, and supporting English language applications and documentation.

We are thrilled to share the most recent new Canadian work to reach presentation in a new language directly as a result of this volunteer outreach.

Canadian playwright Nathalie Boisvert with the Italian team

ChezActors & Piacenza Kultur Dom present

LIFTING

By Nathalie Boisvert
Translated to Italian by Carolina Migli
Translated from Facelift

March 7, 2024
Teatro Trieste Trentaquattro
Via Trieste 34 – 29121 (Piacenza, Italy)

First the foundation…then the eyes…and finally the mouth. The activity of a daily make-up routine turns into a examination a woman’s life, questioning the female ideal, the relationship between women and beauty, seduction, and ageing.

Featuring Mirella Girometti, Sara Gurnari, & Alice Robbi

Audience Response
“It was very poignant to understand the world of today. The dichotomy there is between what we are and what we think we show the world or better. What we Are and what we would like to be.”

“Who is to judge what I show of myself to the world? This piece is absolutely effective for today.“

“This play is like an onion . It has multiple layers . If you cut into it , it makes you cry.”

Gallery

Photographer Mauro del Papá

A GLIMPSE INTO NEW TRANSLATION INTERNATIONAL

A GLIMPSE INTO NEW TRANSLATION INTERNATIONAL

by | | 3.Development, BE, Martin Bellemare, News

A GLIMPSE INTO NEW  TRANSLATION INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES

New Translation Canada, Bouche Theatre Collective, & British Equity London Branch (UK)

ROBERT MOULE

By Martin Bellemare | Translated to English by Jack Paterson
Translated from Moule Robert

December 15, 2023
Digital

Featuring Angelica Servan, Des Fleming, Luana Holtz, & Seamus Hewison | Produced by Jack Paterson & Ayvianna Snow

“With Moule Robert, Martin Bellemare offers us a text of dazzling formal mastery (…). This virtuosic inventiveness is at the service of the ethical questions dividing our society. In his own way, Martin Bellemare wrestles with the question that haunted Brecht: how to be good in a world that is not?” – Prix Michel-Tremblay Jury

Robert Moule is a very ordinary man who works in a daycare. One day, he grabs a girl from the daycare by the arm and finds himself accused of sexual assault. He descends into a Kafka-like journey of inner decay and comic absurdity.

This translation was made possible by a translation grant from Canada Council for the Arts

We gratefully acknowledge the support of

Bali & Canada Cross-Cultural Exchange & Creation

Bali & Canada Cross-Cultural Exchange & Creation

by | | 3.Development, News

INTERNATIONAL CROSS-CULTURAL CREATION

Western Theatre Force Collective, Bouche Theatre Collective, PEPADI Indonesian Society of Wayang Puppetry and Sanggar Paripurna (Bali, Indonesia)

East meets West:
Variations in Light

In association with The University of Saskatchewan & The Presentation House Theatre

Conceived of by Jack Paterson, Made Georgiana Triwinadi,, I. Nyoman Sedana, & I. Made Sidia

Considered one of the longest uninterrupted performance traditions in the world, the Balinese traditional performing arts are unique, rich, and complex. Deeply embedded in Balinese spiritual life (Balinese Hinduism), virtually every form of music, dance, and drama has its origin in ritual, if not a ritual itself. Practices like Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry) reach back to 1500 BC.

This residency examined of what new is sparked when different cultural rivers come together in equal respect through creative exchange of knowledge and combining of practices.

A devised creation inspired by selected elements of “The Ramayana”, Variations in Light was a multi-cultural exchange performed in Indonesian including western devised creation, found object puppetry, new media, projection and instillation and Balinese Traditional Dance, Gamelan Orchestra, and Wayang (shadow puppetry).

Canadian Creative Ensemble Members:
Joel Grinke, Jack Paterson, Deneh’Cho Thompson, & Vanka Salim.

Balinese Creative Ensemble Members:
Nyoman Atheny Pramasastra Dewi & Made Georgiana Triwinadi, I Kadek Hendra Adi Saputra,I Wayan Pratama Nugraha, Putu Daniel Ardinatha, I Putu Adika Aryasena, Kadek Suwargita Gadistya Candrakasih, Ida Made Panji Gotama, Ida Bagus Putu Sidiantara, Ni Nyoman Liana Darmawati, Made Anggun Pradnya Paramita, Ni Made Raisa Cening Kirana, I Dewa Ayu Kartika Sari Dewi, I Putu Arya Adi Saputra, Ni Kadek Candra Parameyta, Ni Made Imas Berliana, I Komang Adi Piyana, I Made Danu Pranata, I Made Dwi Darma Putra, Balawan, Pande Kompyang Wiguna Rupatama, Ida Ayu Sri Widnyani, & Ida Bagus Ari Kanaka.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Gallery

Artist Testimonials

Having the opportunity to be immersed in Balinese artistic culture has given me an opportunity to reflect on my own practice. The relationships and new ideas that built during our time will surely lead to future artistic collaborations and discoveries.

Joel Grinke

Experience Design

The opportunity to witness and participate in artistic exchange with Balinese masters was life changing. My artistic practice undoubtedly grew, but more importantly my artistic Raison D’Etre was transformed to include dynamic and community integrated thinking. As an artist and an educator I am already dreaming of future bilateral transpacific exchange programs that will generate more thoughtful and caring artistry through intentional and generative cross-cultural discourse and co-creation.

Deneh'Cho Thompson

Playwright, Director, Theatre Maker

I’ve always known a bit about Balinese culture, being raised Indonesian and learning a bit of Balinese dancing when I was very young, but to be able to work closely with local dancers and musicians, to join their spaces, and to have the honour of being invited and participating in so many ceremonies and live performances was an incredible learning experience.

Vanka Salim

Designer

About

THE INDONESIAN SOCIETY OF WAYANG PUPPETRY – BALI (PEPADI)

We couldn’t ask for a better or more knowledgeable creative partners and hosts. THE INDONESIAN SOCIETY OF WAYANG PUPPETRY (PEPADI) is the Indonesian national organization of professional puppeteers, puppet makers and other specialty arts expertise (individuals and groups). Founded by General Surono in 1971, PEPADI’s mission is to preserve and develop the art as the supreme treasures of national culture, promote artistic and cultural discourse, enhance human dignity, developing the next generation of professional artists.

Venue Host: Sanggar Paripurna & I Made Sidia

SANGGAR PARIPURNA was founded in 1990 by multi-talented artists from the village of Bona, Blahbatuh, and covers a wide range of arts, such as puppetry, puppet building and creation, percussion and music, dance, mask and the art making offerings, and more. Since it’s inception, the studio has been dedicated to the preservation, development and creation of art and culture of Bali. The company is an intergenerational with a special focus on community. www.sanggarparipurna.com.

I MADE SIDIA is an acclaimed innovator in the Balinese Performing Arts. He has collaborated with many national and international productions such as the “Theft of Sita” and has toured extensively across the U.S., Europe, Australia and Asia. He is the co-creator and director of the tourist spectacle Bali Agung Show featuring 180 performers in a fusion Balinese and Western forms.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of:

Our Success is Measured in the Success of Others

Our Success is Measured in the Success of Others

by | | Nathalie Boisvert, News

Canadian New Works Abroad

Our Success is Measured in the Success of Others

Over the last five years, Bouche Theatre Collective and Creative Producer Jack Paterson have worked hard to introduce new Canadian works to artists and organisations across Canada and abroad.

We do this by sharing texts for potential translation, introducing and connecting artists and organisations, providing insights on translation, and supporting English language applications and documentation.

The 8th new Canadian work to reach presentation in a new language directly as a result of this volunteer outreach, BTC is thrilled to share Nathalie Boisvert’s Facelift, translated to Italian by Carolina Migli.

ChezActors & Piacenza Kultur Dom present

LIFTING

By Nathalie Boisvert
Translated to Italian by Carolina Migli
Translated from Facelift

Saturday November 18, 2023
Teatro Trieste Trentaquattro
Via Trieste 34 – 29121 (Piacenza, Italy)

First the foundation…then the eyes…and finally the mouth. The activity of a daily make-up routine turns into a examination a woman’s life, questioning the femal ideal, the relationship between women and beauty, seduction, and ageing.

Audience Response
“It was very poignant to understand the world of today. The dichotomy there is between what we are and what we think we show the world or better. What we Are and what we would like to be.”

“Who is to judge what I show of myself to the world? This piece is absolutely effective for today.“

“This play is like an onion . It has multiple layeres . If you cut into it , it makes you cry.”

Gallery

Photographer Mauro del Papá