PRODUCTION GUIDEBOOK A production of L'Illusion, Théâtre de marionnettes
A word on the company L'Illusion, Théâtre de marionnettes creates, produces and performs plays that draw on world literature and the rich repertoire of story tales. Each production explores various forms and techniques in the larger family of puppetry arts. Be it shadows, rods, strings or simple everyday objects, anything can be used to give life to inanimate objects and create a world where anything can happen. On the eve of its 35 th year, L'Illusion stands out. This is due to the artists' spirit and passion, the company's openness to the next generation, innovation as well as efforts to make all its activities widely accessible. The company made a bold move by setting up in a permanent location in order to create and present its productions. This unique theatre space located in Montreal is entirely dedicated to puppet productions. The company also tours outside its theatre studio, indeed all over Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the United States and Europe. More to discover... For youngsters getting ready to come to a theatre, it is always interesting to learn things about the history of the company presenting the production. Where does it come from? Is it a new company or has it produced other plays previously? Who are the performers? What are their names? Why have they chosen this line of work? Where did they learn it? Teachers can find answers to these questions by going to the company's website at www.illusiontheatre.com. 2
ACCOMPANYING CHILDREN TO A PERFORMANCE Before going out to the theatre To fully benefit from the experience, we suggest that you focus preparations for the performance on going out to a theatre. Few children have the opportunity of going to a theatre space on a regular basis. So it may be a first for many of them. Take time in the classroom to discover what theatre is and tell children about how things are going to happen and what they will be experiencing. What is theatre? Why, when and how did people begin to gather in various locations to hear story tales that made them laugh or cry? The history of theatre is fascinating. From the large Greek amphitheaters to London's Globe theatre and state-of-the-art spaces, thousands of venues have been built to give life to stories. For some, the mere glimmer of a candle is enough to make a whole world appear! There are various forms and it keeps evolving to better involve all those who come to hear stories. For teachers interested in having their students discover theatre, may we suggest John Russell Brown's The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre, published by Oxford University Press. And what about puppets? It is important to find out what children know about puppets. Have they already seen a puppet play? There are various types of puppets. They can be made of wood, cloth or paper and can be operated with strings or rods. They can be a small as a thumb and as large as an elephant. Introducing children to the play's themes may arouse interest, but please avoid telling too much in order to preserve the magic of the play! 3
Going out to a performance Going out in a group can be an event in itself. Getting on a school bus with a group of friends is exciting. In fact it has nothing to do with the destination or the length of the trip. Of course, once they're in the venue, paying attention is crucial for a successful theatre outing. Yet you must not forget to remind the children that they have the right to react to what happens on stage. Performers love hearing children's responses. Laughter, oohs and ahhs are more than welcome. Children often have questions and name characters out loud. No problem! We suggest not using the classic sshhh! with the children since it often ends up affecting their concentration as well as that of the performers. The puppet performance will be enriched by the sets, the music and the lighting. The audience will collectively enjoy the tale played out by the actors and the inanimate objects coming to life before their very eyes. Following up on the performance There is a whole range of follow-up activities. All of them help enrich the outing. You can broaden it to other learning experiences, including drawing, handicraft, discussions, writing and research. 4
Following the performance, we suggest that you first take time to exchange in the classroom on their impressions. What was their favorite moment? How did they feel? What did they understand or not understand in the show? Bear in mind that there is no good or bad answer. Every child can have his/her own interpretation of the show. THE PRODUCTION Ondin was first designed as a musical theatre adventure filled with movement. Words are there to support the events just as in picture books. The show makes use of the audience's imagination and feelings to help them create their own interpretation of the story. The show is a journey of initiation both for audiences and the hero of the story. It is an aquatic ode that draws on timeless myths. Two puppeteers and a musician step into the space shaping and transforming it. Like nymphs or aquatic fairies, they bring life to the story before the audience's very eyes. To surprise and carry spectators away the performance area moves and changes as the show progresses. The soundscape is created live on stage and is incorporated into the storyline. Summary of the story A young fisherman finds himself in the ocean depths. A stunning change takes over as he turns into a strange marine creature. A fascinating world emerges. The boy begins exploring his surroundings and happens on creatures that are stranger at every turn. Currents and his inquisitiveness lead him to unknown shores. From the depths he sees a young girl playing on the shore. The unexpected meeting is very disturbing. How do they accept each other when they are both so similar and so different? Separated by the sea, the two lonely children will come together in its heart. 5
The Creative Team Playwright and Director : Sabrina Baran Set and Costume Designer: Josée Bergeron-Proulx Puppets: Josée Bergeron-Proulx and Isabelle Chrétien Lighting Designer: Guy Simard Soundscape: Maryse Poulin Performers: Sabrina Baran, Gabrielle Garant, Maryse Poulin *Before the performance, it may be interesting to have the children realize how many people are needed to produce a play. Many tradespeople are involved in a production. In the classroom discover how many of them there are. THE MAIN THEMES The marine world: The seashore Although sceneries are different in various corners of the world, there are some common elements of nature that provide a true picture of the shore environment... rocks, algae, shells and driftwood lying in the sand. Before the performance: Discover the various types of coast, beach and shoreline. What is similar? What is different? Handicraft idea: Create your own coastline using paint but also texture, tissue paper, sand, cardboard, fabric. In fact you can use anything. The secret of the production: Several objects in the set come from Gaspé region of Quebec. The artists in the show picked up a whole series of objects that inspired them. 6
Under water Before the performance: - Have fun together discovering all the creatures hiding on the bottom of the sea. What are those that children are already familiar with? After the performance: - It is interesting to remember the characters and the creatures that Ondin meets during his adventure: The little blue fish The multicolored fish school The octopus The ray The snake eel Discover more: - What are other creatures that Ondin could have encountered? - How could these other characters have influenced the story? Marine myths and stories: Ondin draws inspiration from the famous myths and marine stories that evoke the power and mystery of the ocean. After the performance: - Drawing activity: And what if I transformed myself? What if I could live under water? Kids can first draw a portrait of themselves as a marine creature. - Reading activity: Discovering some of the great stories and myths that have been fascinating humans since the dawn of time. Ondine The fairy Melusine The little mermaid Vodnik Roussalka - Writing activity: Creating your own marine story. 7
Discover more: The names of the characters come from very ancient stories. Can you name them? - An Undine is a water nymph from the Nordic mythology. - Melusina means "marvelous" or "sea mist". It is also a legendary fairy whose legs turned into a serpent's tail when she took her bath. The other... a friendship is born Throughout his adventure, Ondin has encounters that influence his story. The same applies to children throughout their lives. The show can foster a discussion on relationships with others. As soon as a child is born, he/she begins to interact with others. He/she is very quickly confronted with a strange phenomenon: the others look like him/her while being different. Initial social experiences such as the discovery of friendship or rejection bring on a whole range of intense feelings. Simulation activity: If you could have heard the voices of Ondin or Melusine, what would they have said? Discovering the world When the story begins, Ondin is dreaming of discovering what lies on the bottom of the sea, where the waters end... which he will manage to do. After the performance: - Along with the children it can be interesting to ask yourselves questions on the meaning of the lines that conclude the show. "Ondin and Melusine go far and away... where sea and sky meld into one." They go towards the horizon! (several interpretations are possible) 8
Discover more: As a discussion or a drawing, continue Ondin and Melusine's journey. Imagine what they could encounter on their odyssey. Fishing as it is done in various areas of the world As the show opens, young Ondin is using his rod to fish. Around the world there are many ways of fishing. The set draws inspiration from various fishing techniques. The large wooden structure that has the sea moving is based on a Chinese fishing technique. The area where Melusine lives is also based on a fishing technique used in India. Ecological Awareness: It can be interesting to address the relationships human beings have with the marine world. Raising the awareness of children on the significance of the marine ecosystem. The impact of pollution for animals that live under water. 9
Musical Instruments in the Production: Musician Maryse uses several peculiar instruments during the performance. Here are some of them. The ocean drum: This drum, which is the show's main instrument, can recreate the sound of the sea thanks to several beads rolling on its skin. It is used in the show for its musicality and because it looks like the moon. It will also be used as a boat by Ondin and Melusine. The kalimba This tiny African percussion instrument is also called a thumb piano because you play it with your thumbs. Once it rests on the drum, its sound becomes much stronger. The tamboa Drawing inspiration from instruments in the slit drum family (Africa, South Sea Islands, South America etc.) the tamboa is a sounding box topped by six black-cherry keys which are tuned in one of several pentatonic chords, producing a musical quality which is simple, harmonious and magical. The side flute is a wind instrument. The side flute has the same sound approach as other instruments in the flute family: a bevel located at the mouthpiece makes the air vibrate as it goes through and as a result creates a sound. 10