|
(Posted Feb. 9, 2018)
Cr�ations
In Vivo bringing children's theatre to Orléans
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
 |
|
 Cr�ations
in Vivo will present their latest production,
�Charly', at the Shenkman Theatre on Feb.
10. Heather Jamieson/Photo
|
|
An
exploration into the power of imagination through the
magic of puppetry comes to the Shenkman Arts Centre on
Feb. 10 with two performances of "Charly in the Desert.�
This
will be the world premiere of the play co-authored by
�ve Alexandre-Beaulieu and Cr�ations In Vivo artistic
director St�phane Guertin.
The
play was inspired by a tour that took Alexandre-Beaulieu
through Burkina Faso in 2008. The experience of being
a minority, as a white Canadian in an African country,
motivated her to explore the themes of cultural and linguistic
differences and how to find commonality.
Told
through various forms of puppetry, it is the story of
two children who find themselves part of a blended family.
Charly, 9, is white, Canadian and not happy about his
mother's new African partner and his daughter, Inna, 11,
who have moved in with them.
Frustrated
by the children's failure to get along, their parents
tell them to either find a way to overcome their differences
or a planned vacation will be cancelled. The youngsters
are locked in Charly's bedroom and ordered to figure things
out.
The
antagonism between them quickly reveals the scope of their
differences and the marked contrast in their life experience.
But, as anger fades and imagination takes over, the children
find common ground and learn to cooperate in an imaginary
desert world they create.
"The
element of the imagination as a place where so much is
possible, including the resolution of conflict, was my
main thread in directing the play,� explains director
Gabrielle Lalonde.
While
Cr�ations In Vivo has presented bilingual productions
in the past, as well as an English show for a Lithuanian
tour, Guertin says this is the first time a show has been
created in both French and English at the same time. This
will be the company's first English presentation at the
Shenkman.
The
venue is particularly exciting for the cast and crew,
as actors/puppeteers Chlo� Tremblay and S�bastien Lajoie,
and stage manager Louisa Hach�, were raised in Orléans.
The third performer, Kiara-Lynn N��, moved to Orléans
six years ago.
They
are all very proud to be working professionally at the
Shenkman Arts Centre. "I love this theatre,� says Tremblay.
"It is a wonderful place to create and a beautiful location.�
The
play will be touring to schools and theatres in both French
and English in the months ahead, explains Guertin. "This
is the kind of show I want to present to children. It
offers many possibilities to talk about a variety of important
topics.�
On
stage in the Richcraft Theatre on Feb. 10, the 10 a.m.
performance will be in English, with the French performance
at 3 p.m. eared for children as young as five, Lalonde
says the level of French in the 55-minute play is quite
appropriate for French Immersion students.
After
each performance, the audience will have an opportunity
to meet the cast - and the puppets - and learn more about
the art of puppet theatre.
A
joint presentation of the Shenkman Arts Centre and MIFO,
tickets for "Charly in the Desert� are available at www.shenkmanarts.ca
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
|
THE OTTAWA SCHOOL OF THEATRE presents an all ages production of Treasure Island in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Showtimes Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults. Students and youth 25 and under $10. To purchase visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents Michael Ben-Shalom live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents The Underground live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
CLASSIC PIANO RECITAL – Orléans pianist Emily Hou will be performing works by Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninov and Liszt at Kanata United Church as part os the Beaverbrook Community Concert Series. The recital will start promptly at 3 p.m. Kanata United Church is located at 33 Leacock Dr. in Kanata. For more information visit 
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. Trivia Night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (613) 834-9005 to reserve your spot. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near the Innes Road McDonalds.
