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.

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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

Partners
  • For their support during the creation of this play, La Tortue Noire would like to thank the Fondation TIMI and the Festival La Luna à Azzurra.

Prochaines représentations

  • Il n'y a aucune représentation pour le moment.

Trailer

GrandOeuvre 271 Photo par: Patrick Simard
GrandOeuvre 044 Photo par: Patrick Simard
grandoeuvre-017 Photo par: Patrick Simard
grandoeuvre-132 Photo par: Patrick Simard
grandoeuvre-452-1 Photo par: Patrick Simard
grandoeuvre-155 Photo par: Patrick Simard

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