WESTERN GOLD: THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
By Martin Bellemare (Quebec, Canada)Francophone Canadian Theatre
WESTERN GOLD: THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
By Martin Bellemare
Translated by Jack Paterson with Johanna Nutter
Translated from LE CHANT DE GEORGES BOIVIN (Quebec, Canada)
About
Ages: Adult
Length: 1 hr 15
Chracters: 1 M (70s)
At 77, Georges Boivin decides “gives the dice a roll”. Georges just lost his wife, you see, the “centre of his universe”. He’s terrified “he’s no longer exists for anyone”. But there is life after 70 and it must continue even after great loss. With his three friends, all the same age as he, he sets out on road trip from Québec to Vancouver, in search of his first love who he hasn’t seen in 50 years.
This translation was commissioned by Western Gold Theatre (Vancouver) and developed by Bouche Theatre Collective (Vancouver) in association with British Equity (London UK) & Western Gold Theatre. We gratefully acknowledge the support of Canada Council for the Arts.
Duval Lang as Georges Boivin (Lunchbox Theatre 2024). Photo Credit: Ben Laird
Current Press (Calgary 2024)
“…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
Jay Brazeau as Georges in Western Gold Theatre’s 2021 English language Premiere.
Press – English Language Premiere (Vancouver 2021)
“…explores with great insight thematic territory I’ve never seen covered before…the execution is poetic and the insight genuine…a revelation…moments of magic and even transcendence…an intimate — and rewarding — conversation about love.” – Colin Thomas, colinthomas.ca
“…insightful, thoughtful and mind-expanding…riveting… 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
Original French Language Press (Montreal 2011)
“Le Chant de Georges Boivin is a precious gift. A “beautiful adventure” for an older actor…” – Isabelle Houde, Le Soleil
“…a theatrical road-movie brimming with vulnerability…the play destroys any prejudice that older people are devoid of passionate. Even after great loss, love is possible.” – Alix Forgeot, L-Express.ca
Translation Production History
2024 | Alberta Premiere (Calgary, Canada)
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
April 16 – May 5, 2024
The Vertigo Theatre Studio
(No. 161, 115 – 9 Ave. SE, Calgary, AB)
Directed by Bronwyn Steinberg | Featuring Duval Lang
Produced by LunchBox Theatre
www.lunchboxtheatre.com
2021 | English Language Premiere (Vancouver, Canada)
THE BALLAD OF GEORGES BOIVIN
Nov. 10 – 28, 2021
PAL Studio Theatre (81 Cardero St, Vancouver BC V6G 3L2)
Directed by Jack Paterson | Featuring Jay Brazeau and John Innes in rep.
Produced by Western Gold Theatre in association with Bouche Theatre Collective
Click for More Info
Nominated for 3 Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards.
Origingal language Production History
This play has been presented at Théâtre du Rideau vert (Montréal, 2010), Théâtre de la Huchette (Paris, 2011), and la Maison-des-Arts (Laval, 2011) with Théâtre Bluff. 2013/14, a production directed by Mario Borges and featuring well known francophone actor Pierre Collin, was seen across Quebec and francophone communities across Canada including the National Arts Centre (Ottawa).
Awards & Notables
Le Chant de George Boivin is the recipient of:
- Le Prix Gratien-Gélinas (2009)
- Conseil des arts de Montréal Bourse Rideau (2013)
John Innes as Georges in Western Gold Theatre’s 2021 English language Premiere.
2021 workshop with Western Gold Theatre (Vancouver). Featuring Paul Beckett, Jay Brazeau, John Innes and Allan Morgan.
2020 workshop with British Equity WSW London Branch (London UK). Featuring Micheal Grinter and Charles Roe.
TRANSLATION EXCERPT
Look!
Vancouver a hundred and forty kilometres.
We’re driving through the Rockies
Past walls of rock and giant cliffs
Past emerald green lakes
And snow-capped peaks
(Jean-Pierre.) “We don’t see each other as often as we used to
We do less together
Have less to say to each other
But we know each other ‘s millage
And
Are you listening to me.
You see
I mean
This trip
It makes me feel alive.
Are we less close today?
No
We’re even closer
On this journey
Right now.
Thank you
Thank you Georges.”
And then
Jean-Pierre opens the car window
And leans his head into the wind
Jean-Pierre is alive
About the Playwright
Martin Bellemare
With his work described as “dazzling formal mastery” and “virtuoso inventiveness” by the Prix Michel-Tremblay jury, Martin Bellemare is a leading new voice in Quebecois theatre whose work has yet to be translated to English.
A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada French Language Playwrighting program. He received NTC’s Creation Award for La Liberté (2012) and Moule Robert (2017). In 2018, he received the Prix SACD de la dramaturgie francophone for Maître Karim la perdrix and the Prix Michel-Tremblay for Moule Robert.
He has been writer in residence at Théâtre de l’Aquarium (Cartoucherie/Paris), La Chartreuse, Centre National des Écritures du Spectacle (Villeneuve-lès Avignon), La Maison des Auteurs (Limoges), the Domaine de Mariemont (CED-WB/Wallonie), Théâtre du Bic (Québec). His work for young audiences is published by Lansman and have been presented in Montréal, Paris and Poznan (Poland). Recently, Des pieds et des mains, was created at Centre National des Arts (Ottawa, 2016), and presented at Tarmac (Paris, 2017).
His work has been produced in Quebec, France, Poland and Switzerland and translated into German, Italian and Lithuanian.
Back to Translations