Author Archives: admin

Le Labyrinthe

Posted 4 June 2016 by admin

Le Labyrinthe

devised by Jean-Michel Rabeux et Sylvie Reteuna with la compagnie de l’Oiseau Mouche

« A man in a bull’s mask roars and struggles in the night. The others build a maze around him with cardboard, wood and concrete blocks. Dressed in blood-red dresses, they are dream workers – nightmare workers. What prison are they building? The wobbly structure tries to confine the monster. The monster does not want to be confined. Who is roaring when this man with a bull’s head roars? Who are they trying to shut away, these men and women like you and me? They are trying to shut away what is different. What monster inside themselves are they trying to kill, to destroy in the night? »

Directed and designed by : Jean-Michel Rabeux and Sylvie Reteuna / Music : Kate France and Eric Sterenfeld / Costumes : Stéphane Lavergne and Marie-Claude Billault / Lighting designed : Jean-Claude Fonkenel / Mask : Francis Debeyre / Papier maché head : Marc Mérigot / Technicians : Eric Blondeau and Pierre Yves Aplincourt / performed by : Nadia Bezzar, Lothar Bonin, Martial Bourlart, Aurélie Bressy, Florence Decoucelle, Yannick Derraine, Thierry Dupont, Hervé Lemeunier, David Mariette, Valérie Szmiglieski, Valérie vincent and Martine Warziniak.

Coproduction : La Compagnie de l’Oiseau Mouche (production) / La Rose des Vents scène nationale de Lille Métropole

Created at La Rose des Vents, scène nationale de Lille Métropole May 2000. Toured 2000-2003 to Gymnase à Roubaix, La Verrière à Lille, Hambourg, Vivat Armentières, Festival Minos Périgueux, théâtre de l’Agora, scène nationale d’Evry et de l’Essonne, la Grande Halle de la Villette (Rencontres Urbaines), Garage, Théâtre de l’Oiseau Mouche Roubaix, la Coupole, scène nationale de Senart, théâtre de Cahors, Centre culturel Théo Argence de Saint Priest, Théâtre de Villefranche sur Saône, théâtre d’Albertville and to Switzerland.

Circus

Posted 3 June 2016 by admin

Circus

performance with the Mary Ward Over 60s Drama Group and 12 doves

A performance by the Grand Opera of Oklahoma with the Mary Ward over 60s drama group (directeur: Peter Avery)

” a revolving spectacle featuring: people, doves, objects, music, time, eroticism, absence, presence and a marching band.”

Devised by : Kate France / text: Up in the Gallery by Franz Kafka / with : Andrzej Borkowski, John Carlton, Ruth Catlow, Catherine Coker, Georgina Dobson, Joan Godfrey, Patti Mullineaux, Joanna Neville, Babs Perry, Edie Poole, Charles Redstone, Bella Reid, Carolyn Roy, Grace Sammons, Sheila Simmons, Joan Stewart, Rita West, Tony Wiltshire / Accordeon: Igor Outkin / Lighting : Andrew Stickland / Doves from Animal Actors / Production: The Grand Opera of Oklahoma

Circus was created in July 1992 for the Heatwave Festival, Serpentine Gallery , and presented December 1992 ICA in the Ripple Effect as part of the Grand Opera of Oklahoma special Christmas double bill, together with Nature.

Nature

Posted 2 June 2016 by admin

Nature

An exploration of forces beyond human control, made with the assistance of friends, family and pets

In a hastily constructed theatre, with the workings clearly visible, The Grand Opera of Oklahoma attempts to encompass the whole of Nature in one hour. Featuring three performers and a tortoise, ingenious mechanical devices, live music and specially made home movies.

Astonishing transformations, daredevil feats and breathtaking celestial pageants are nearly managed. Sandwiched between the acts are furtive amorous encounters and moments of acute melancholy.

« When I first saw Nature, I was struck by the poetic qualities and theatrical freedom of the performances. Gentleness – that mixture of humour, precision, freedom and potential cruelty – is probably one of the most difficult qualities to convey in the theatre. Nature succeeds in doing it, treading a fine line of unfinished theatre. » Jean-Marie Hordé, théâtre de la Bastille, Paris

Devised by : Andrew Davenport, Kate France et Jean-Daniel Paris / Performed by Andrew Davenport, Kate France, John McEwen and Jean-Daniel Paris / with film appearances by : Olive Davenport et Doris Roberts / Lighting : Andrew Stickland / Sound : Jon Pinsky .

Nature was first commissioned by the Arts council for the Heatwave festival at the Serpentine Gallery. After being seen at the 1991 Edinburgh Festival, it was performed in the Yermolova Theatre, Moscow and in the Theatre de la Bastille, Paris, with the support of the British Council. In December 1992, Nature was performed at the ICA, London in the Ripple Effect as part of the Grand Opera of Oklahoma special Christmas double bill, together with Circus.

Grace

Posted 1 May 2016 by admin

Grace

” After years of near reclusive existence,Grace makes a long awaited PUBLIC APPEARANCE; On this UNIQUE and EXTRAORDINARY occasion, La doyenne lays aside her Mantle of Mystery to share the secret of her Life and Loves, her Passion and Pain, her Heights of Glory and Depths of Despair. Grace gives you her story FROM THE HEART, toujours avec humilié et dignité. This, her last performance, marks a GLITTERING MILESTONE IN THEATRICAL HISTORY…”

« See Grace and die happy. That’s the message of the Grand Opera of Oklahoma, and frankly I couldn’t agree more » (the Stage)

« Finely performed » (the Independent)

« Ever memorable…quite captivating… this most diverting show which provoked the most ready, natural laughter I have heard from an audience this entire festival » (the Scotsman)

A Grand Opera of Oklahoma production / devised and performed by Andrew Davenport and Kate France with the pianist Fiona Fleck / with the participation of Olive Davenport / Lighting : Andrew Stickland / Sound : Jon Pinsky

Performances: Edinburgh festival 1988, Brighton Festival Spring 1989 , Centre Charles Peguy, London, ICA, (Institute of Contemporary Art) London as part of the Ripple Effect, National Revue of Live Art, Glasgow.