THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVINS (2020 – 2024)
By Martin Bellemare | Translated to English by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
Conceived of & Directed by Jack Paterson
ON ACTIVE ACCESS DESIGN+ FOR SENIOR ARTISTS (AAD+)
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.
On “The Ballad of Georges Boivin”, we explored forms, tools and aesthetics to support Senior artists in performance in main stage small theatre, festival & rural 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.
The Creatus Project “Bakes Access & Accommodation into Creation”. This is done by identifying the barriers and needs of the senior performer creatively and structurally, addressing these barriers, and then integrating the solutions into all aspects of production.
Creating Access for Senior Artists (Decentralising Memory)
Reimaging each presentation to meet both the singular needs of each of the four elder actors who have portrayed Georges and different needs of each of our venues, we decentralised memory from product, added memory prompts developed with the actor (ex. set, props, sound cues, media, etc.) and created new text and staging to meet each artists’ unique accommodations. This “Artist First Approach” means each show is distinct to the performer, revealing new opportunities for senior artists (and others) in areas previously seen as unattainable,.
“…a revelation!”
– Colin Thomas, Colinthomas.ca
WESTERN GOLD THEATRE
In Association with Bouche Theatre Collective
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
Written by Martin Bellemare
Translated by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
Directed by Jack Paterson
FEATURING
Jay Brazeau and John Innes alternating as Georges Boivin in repertory
November 10 – 28, 2021
Evenings: Wed – Sat @ 7:30 pm
Matinees (from Nov. 14): Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun @ 2:00 pm
PAL STUDIO THEATRE – 581 CARDERO STREET, VANCOUVER
www.westerngoldtheatre.org
The Ballad of Georges Boivin interpreted by John Innes
SYNOPSIS
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.
ON PROCESS
Working collaboratively with Dr. Julia Henderson, a specialist in Ageing in the Performing Arts, and senior artists Jay Brazeau, John Innes, Glenn MacDonald, and Ingrid Turk, we developed alternatives to fully memorizing texts, embed access accommodations creatively in the show (staging, design, etc.), and structurally (scheduling, performance supports, etc.).
A solo monologue for an actor 70+, Jay (71) and John (85) alternated as Georges. By starting with each performers’ distinct access needs, two stagings – tailored to each performer’s distinct access requirements – were created.
As Jay wished to have his script onstage, we developed the document (font size, format, etc.). It become a map and other story elements. His interactions with it were projected on a screen upstage. With John, we developed and projected supertitles behind the audience. Memory triggers (ex. rocking-chair, etc.) were hung in his view and lit for related scenes. Rehearsals were structured over a 6-week period with reduced hours.
The Ballad of Georges Boivin
interpreted by Jay Brazeau
Press
“…explores with great insight thematic territory I’ve never seen covered before…the execution is poetic and the insight genuine…his (John Innes) skill is a joy… a wonderful combination of ease and thoroughness in his technique…he inhabits every word…moments of magic and even transcendence…an intimate — and rewarding — conversation about love.” – Colin Thomas, colinthomas.ca
“…insightful, thoughtful and mind-expanding…Brazeau gives a riveting performance, showing that emotions are still alive – and even volatile – even in your seventies… This is 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
“…a heart-warming play that shakes off the myth often associated with old age.” – Reviewvancouver.com
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
Jessie Richardson Awards & Nominations:
- Outstanding Direction – Small Theatre: Jack Paterson
- Outstanding Design (Media) – Small Theatre: Joel Grinke & Vanka Salim
- Outstanding Set Design – Small Theatre: Glenn Macdonald
Gallery
Clip: Jay Brazeau as Georges (Western Gold Theatre 2021)
Clip: John innes as Georges (Western Gold Theatre 2021)
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM
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.
2024 | Festival Presentation
“A superb show, with a superb actor!”
– EntertainmentVancouver.com
Upintheair Theatre Presents
The Creatus Project & Bouche Theatre Collective
With Western Gold Theatre & Presentation House Theatre
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
Written by Martin Bellemare
Translated by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
Directed by Jack Paterson* | Featuring Allan Morgan* as Georges
More Info: www.creatus.ca
rEvolver Festival
Saturday May 25 @ 3:30 pm & Talkback with Dr. Julia Henderson
Sunday May 26 @ 3:30 pm
The Cultch (1895 Venables Street, Vancouver BC V5L 2H6)
ON PROCESS
Building on the creative accommodation tools developed in 2021, we reimagined the production to meet the participation needs of a new senior performer while also meeting the venue and presentation needs common to festival presentation.
Allan Morgan in The Ballad of Georges Boivin (The Cultch 2024)
Normalizing creative accommodation in production, we collaborated with The Cultch, Presentation House Theatre & rEvolver Festival (UpintheAir Theatre) Production & Administrative teams to develop a responsive rehearsal structure to meet evolving access needs and develop new production paths to accommodation in the load in, tech. and other festival production structures. Artistically this included developing and creating new text, new staging, & new design with the performer.
GALLERY
Clip: Allan Morgan as Georges (rEvolver Festival 2024)
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.
2024 | Rural Touring
The Ryga Arts Festival Presents
The Creatus Project & Bouche Theatre Collective
With Western Gold Theatre & Presentation House Theatre
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
Written by Martin Bellemare
Translated by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
Directed by Jack Paterson*
Featuring Allan Toots as Georges
More Info: www.creatus.ca
Ryga Arts Festival
Thursday Sept. 22 @ 7 PM
Summerland Alliance Church
14820 Victoria Rd N, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z5
Community Forum – Ageing & the Arts:
Friday Sept. 23 @ 10 AM
St. Stephen Anglican Church
9311 Prairie Valley Rd, Summerland BC V0H
Allan Toots in The Ballad of Georges Boivin (Summerland’s Ryga Arts Festival 2024)
Photo: Ricardo Fernandez
Normalizing creative accommodation in production, we collaborated with Summerland’s Ryga Arts Festival & Presentation House Theatre Production & Administrative teams to develop a responsive rehearsal structure to meet the evolving needs of a rural senior performer in a combination of remote and in person activities, and develop new production paths to accommodation in the load in, tech. and other rural touring & presentation structures.
The developed process “brought the show to artist” and included included developing and creating new text, new staging, & new design with the performer and presenting partners.
GALLERY
Allan Toots in The Ballad of Georges Boivin (Summerland’s Ryga Arts Festival 2024)
Photo: Ricardo Fernandez
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM
Featuring Allan Toots | Director: Jack Paterson* | Stage Manager: Andy Sandberg | Associate Director: Hannah Siden | Set Designer: Glenn Macdonald | Video & Video Systems Design: Joel Grinke & Vanka Salim | Senior’s Access Consultant: Dr. Julia Henderson
Development & Production History
2021 | Active Access Development
Western Gold Theatre
in association with Bouche Theatre Collective & The Canadian Play Thing
VIRTUAL GOLD: THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
Featuring Paul Beckett, Jay Brazeau, John Innes and Allan Morgan
Translation Dramaturgy by Johanna Nutter
Produced by Tanja Dixon Warren
2020 | New Translation Development
Bouche Theatre Collective & Western Gold Theatre
With Presentation House Theatre
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
Featuring Jay Brazeau & John Innes
Translation Dramaturgy by Johanna Nutter
Produced by Jack Paterson & Tanja Dixon Warren
2019 | New Translation Development
BoucheWHACKED! Theatre Collective & British Equity London Branch
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
Featuring Micheal Grinter and Charles Roe
Produced by Lola May and Jack Paterson
2018 | This translation was commissioned by Western Gold Theatre (Vancouver) with the support of Canada Council for the Arts.
2021 | Development Workshop (Western Gold Theatre)
2019 | Translation Development Workshop (British Equity London UK)
2024 | Alberta Premiere (Calgary, Canada)
Lunchbox Theatre
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
By Martin Bellemare
Translated by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
Directed by Bronwyn Steinberg
Featuring Duval Lang
April 16 – May 5, 2024
The Vertigo Theatre Studio
(No. 161, 115 – 9 Ave. SE, Calgary, AB)
www.lunchboxtheatre.com
NOTABLES
BETTY MITCHELL AWARDS 2024 (Calgary Professional Theatre Awards)
- Nominee: Outstanding Lead Performance In a Drama – Duval Lang, Lunchbox Theatre
Duval Lang as Georges (Lunchbox Theatre, 2024).
PRESS
“…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, The Calgary Herald
“…a lovely story of love and loss…an ode to live theatre…a lovely, incredibly moving story and a testament to masterful storytelling. Don’t miss this lovely little play.” – Jenna Shummoogum, www.JennaShummoogum.com
“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
2021 – 2024 | Additional Accomodations –
Remote Access for Disability Identifying Artists
Weaving accommodation into all aspects of “The Ballad of Georges Boivin” production, emerging artist Hannah Siden (writer, film maker, director, actor) plays a significant creative role as Assistant Director.
Hannah has hEDS and has been disabled by ongoing CSF leaks and other complications since 2020 leaving her homebound. Since 2021, BTC has worked to develop a “Remote Artist Access Platform for Small/ Micro Budget Theatre” to facilitate for Hannah’s active participation in rehearsals and other production activities, attend Performances, and participate in talk backs.
She wrote about her experience for the UBC Medical Journal and aims to be an advocate for equitable health care and disability rights.
Assistant Director Hannah Siden
GALLERY
On Active Access & Cross Sensory Translation
“Accessibility as a springboard towards new forms of communication. Accessibility not simply as a practice for otherwise excluded audiences, but as added value. Accessibility as a creative challenge and experimentation with new languages.” – Redattore Sociale (Piacenza, Italy 2022)
Active Access Design was pioneered by Global Hive Labs., an international network of artists and companies, co-founded by Jack Paterson (Canada), Denise Yvette Serna (USA), Katie Merrit (UK), and Carolina Migli (EU) working together in devised creation. With collective members across multiple countries, we identified access as a priority.
International projects applying Active Access Design include Medusa USA at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre (USA, 2019), Medusa UK at London’s The Pleasance Theatre (UK, 2019) & The Cockpit Theatre (UK, 2020), Atlantide at Piacenza’s Teatro Trieste 34 (Italy, 2020), and Palazzo del Mondo at Piacenza’s famed Palazzo Farnese (Italy, 2022). AAD+ has been applied to cross-cultural, multi-ligual and aceess acomodation projects.
Ivani Ca & Golda Dahan in PALAZZO DEL MONDO | Palazzo Farnese 2022 (Piacenza, Italy)
We gratefully acknowledge the support of
