All audiences, 8 years and older Wordless 20 minutes Available for touring

The Great Work

A mysterious scientist conducts explosive experiments in his medieval laboratory. With his magical hands, objects are transformed before our very eyes. However, his thoughts inadvertently come to life and a strange universe takes shape above his head. Appearing as a symbol of planet Earth, the scientist’s cranium becomes the bearer of all his visions centered on the world’s creation. This non-verbal production presents, through ingenious visual and sound design, a pragmatic and meandering vision of humanity’s upheaval. It is an ode to creation.

CREATIVE TEAM

Idea and Director, Dany Lefrançois
Creative Assistant, Julie Pelletier
Sound Design, Guillaume Thibert
Video Design, Martin Gagnon, Julie Pelletier
Starring, Martin Gagnon
Manipulation, Dany Lefrançois

Extracts from press reviews

« Captivating and diabolically distracting! A visually clever and skillful play, with a lot of depth and details, which unfolds a simple yet truly hypnotizing level of theatrical drama. It proves that simplicity and quality can go hand in hand. » - TOUTE LA CULTURE, Mathieu Dochtermann, France
« This perfect combination between host and actor creates, along with the manipulation of miniature objects and the use of lighting, in the course of twenty minutes, some sort of visual and sound symphony that pays tribute to nature and its creation. » - KRAPP’S LAST POST, Daniela Arcudi, Italy
« With the help of simple objects, La Tortue Noire manages to create the universe in its entirety! It is one of the strengths of this company: limitless ingenuity, boundless creativity. The images they bring to life are beautiful and crystal clear as they not only present important moments of evolution, but they also look towards the future. The sustained rhythm and the music make for the perfect mood. Long live La Tortue Noire! » -RADIO-CANADA, Philippe Belley, Canada
« In a unique twilight, an alchemist in the quest of immortality manages to create before our wondering eyes, the most precious elements of the universe as well as the most dangerous. It is the entire beauty of the world and the ingenuity of the handlers that are assembled in this latest production from La Tortue Noire. Satisfaction guaranteed! » –VOIR.ca, Jean-François Caron, Canada

Presentation History

2022

Festival International de Théâtre de Rue et de Marionnettes, Puppet Fair, Sofia, Bulgarie
2020

Théâtre Des Roches, Montreuil, France
2019

International Microfestival, Dordrecht, Pays-Bas
Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes, Charleville-Mézières, France
Festival Incanti, Turin, Italie
2018

Festival International Puppet Fringe NYC, New York, États-Unis
La Rue les Arts, Mandre-les-Roses, France
Taller Internacional de Títeres TITIM, Matanzas, Cuba
2017

Cégep de Jonquière, Saguenay, Canada
Les Bibliothèques de Saguenay, Saguenay, Canada
Musée régional de la Pulperie, Saguenay, Canada
2014

Festival Marionnettissimo, Tournefeuille, France
2012

Festival international des arts de la marionnette (FIAMS), Saguenay, Canada
International Crossroads Festival, Anvers, Belgique
Théâtre des Marronniers, Lyon, France
2011

Rencontres internationales du mime, Montréal, Canada
2010

Festival de Théâtre FAIT, L’Assomption, Canada
Saison de théâtre insolite, Trois-Rivières, Canada
Maison de la Culture Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de Grâce, Montréal, Canada
Festival Casteliers, Montréal, Canada
2009

Festival Festin de los Munecos, Guadalajara, Mexique
Festival de théâtre de rue de Lachine, Montréal, Canada
Festival Vue sur la relève professionnelle des arts de la scène, Montréal, Canada
2008

Festival La Luna è azzurra, San Miniato, Italie
Microfestival de marionnettes en chantier, Trois-Rivières, Canada