ABSENCE DES EXTRATERRESTRES

All audiences, 12 years + 

 

Whom can you confide in when your heavy heart is too much to bear?

Absence des extraterrestres tells the story of an 8-year-old boy caught up in the turmoil of his parents’ separation, in the mid-1970s, against a counterculture backdrop, including Christ-like figures, esotericism, and speculation about the existence of aliens.

The child tries to understand this changing world, but reality hits him hard, leaving him deeply moved. His reasoning—accurate and sincere—is only inkling of thoughts that are still too complex for him to grasp. What can you do when your heart is weighed down by so many emotions? 

Object theatre that explores childhood, rebellion, and wonder, combining humour, tenderness, and universal questions about how we relate to the world.

 

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Language: French

Running time: 55 minutes

Technique: Object manipulation and video

The show will be followed by a talkback with the artists.

 

Photos

Photo: Antoine Laprise Archives

Company

Québec actor, playwright, and puppeteer Antoine Laprise partners with French stage director Hubert Jégat in this autobiographical tale exploring separation, rebellion, and refuge in the supernatural. Through his works, Antoine Laprise gives objects a voice to express emotions we all experience. With the Théâtre du Sous-marin jaune and its now famous Loup Bleu, he has created several remarkable works: Candide, La bible, Discours de la méthode, Les essais d’après Montaigne, Kanata and Guerre et paix.

CréatureS compagnie combines puppetry, objects, masks, the written word, images and new technologies in its theatre productions. For over 20 years, it has been experimenting with theatrical formats that explore spaces where they can perform and where they can engage with audiences, both on stage and in public spaces. The company’s latest works invite us to explore new ways to imagine space, to reconsider our relationship with the universe and, by extension, our relationship with our planet.

Credits

Story and performance: Antoine Laprise

Stage director: Hubert Jégat

Puppets: Christine Plouffe

Music: Martin Tétreault

Lighting: Paul Foresto

Costumes: Manon Guiraud

Dramaturgical support: Olivier Ducas

Production director: Myriam Poirier Dumaine

Technical director: Paul Foresto

 

Acknowledgements: Louise Lapointe; L’Illusion, Théâtre de marionettes; Nadine Lapuyade; Daniel Canty; Myriame Larose; CréatureS compagnie (France); Les Sages Fous / Fabrique de théâtre insolite (Trois-Rivières); Olivier Ducas; Francis Monty; La Pire Espèce / Les Écuries (Montréal); Carole Karemera; Festival Trans-Amérique; École supérieure de théâtre / UQAM (Montréal); Christian Jauvin; and Marie-Géraldine Chartré.

 

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The show is sold out? Try your luck at the door! Arrive early. If any reserved tickets become available at the last minute, we’ll be happy to put them back for sale. 

Out of respect for the performers and fellow spectators, latecomers will not be admitted.