Geordie's "Letters From the Road" has been integrated into Geordie's new website!
Visit http://geordie.ca/category/geordie-blog/ for all the latest blog posts, including posts from Geordie's Artistic Director and other guest contributors from Geordie staff and artists.
See you there!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Fredricton to the Magdalene Islands and back to Fredricton!
We decided to make the trip to the Magdelene Islands on Saturday so we would have a bit of time to look around on Sunday. Our ferry was set to leave at 2pm so we left at 8am and made the five hour drive in order to arrive an hour early.
As 3 pm rolled around and we were still stuck in our van in the pouring rain in the lineup waiting to be let onto the ferry, James suddenly had the inspiration to ask someone why we were still waiting. Apparently they had decided to wait until 6 to depart and had conveniently neglected to mention that important fact when James had called earlier to ask if the ferry was still on schedule.
Of course, they weren't about to let us onto the ferry before then because, as we were told, it's "not a motel" (by the way it basically is the closest thing to a floating motel that there is), so we had to sit in our van for four hours staring at the ferry as it mocked us from meters away. Luckily we had some company in the gigantic moose carcass strapped to the trailer directly beside us like some absurd parade float.
Again James had an inspired idea, this time it was to have a pizza delivered to our van as we waited. 20 points for James!
Eventually they did let us on, and we bid farewell to our decomposing new friend, and made our way to the relative comfort of the ferry lounge area readying ourselves for a peaceful journey.
Unfortunately about 20 minutes in to the ferry ride it became apparent that we were in for a wee bit of a bumpy ride. I later likened it to being on roller coaster that didn't stop for five hours. Upon our arrival Charlotte (who spent almost the entire ride trying not to move and looking rather green) was heard to remark "that was the worst experience of my life".
But in the end it was all worth it, and kind of fun in a ridiculous way. We had the Sunday to tour around the islands (archipelago?) and let me tell you they (it?) are (is?) beeeeeoooootiful, although unbelievably windy. We then had two shows on Monday in Grosse Ille, which included our first performance of I Don't Like Mondays in two weeks. The audiences were very attentive but also the quietest audiences I've ever not heard.
It was a little weird for us, but afterwards the kids were genuinely appreciative. We even got to be interviewed for the school yearbook by the graduating class which consisted of two students. It was too bad we didn't have more time to spend there but we had to get the ferry back on Tuesday. Luckily the ferry ride back was much smoother and we spotted what we decided was a dolphin. Then it was back to Fredericton for 7 shows in three days.
- Adam
As 3 pm rolled around and we were still stuck in our van in the pouring rain in the lineup waiting to be let onto the ferry, James suddenly had the inspiration to ask someone why we were still waiting. Apparently they had decided to wait until 6 to depart and had conveniently neglected to mention that important fact when James had called earlier to ask if the ferry was still on schedule.
Of course, they weren't about to let us onto the ferry before then because, as we were told, it's "not a motel" (by the way it basically is the closest thing to a floating motel that there is), so we had to sit in our van for four hours staring at the ferry as it mocked us from meters away. Luckily we had some company in the gigantic moose carcass strapped to the trailer directly beside us like some absurd parade float.
Again James had an inspired idea, this time it was to have a pizza delivered to our van as we waited. 20 points for James!
Eventually they did let us on, and we bid farewell to our decomposing new friend, and made our way to the relative comfort of the ferry lounge area readying ourselves for a peaceful journey.
Unfortunately about 20 minutes in to the ferry ride it became apparent that we were in for a wee bit of a bumpy ride. I later likened it to being on roller coaster that didn't stop for five hours. Upon our arrival Charlotte (who spent almost the entire ride trying not to move and looking rather green) was heard to remark "that was the worst experience of my life".
But in the end it was all worth it, and kind of fun in a ridiculous way. We had the Sunday to tour around the islands (archipelago?) and let me tell you they (it?) are (is?) beeeeeoooootiful, although unbelievably windy. We then had two shows on Monday in Grosse Ille, which included our first performance of I Don't Like Mondays in two weeks. The audiences were very attentive but also the quietest audiences I've ever not heard.
It was a little weird for us, but afterwards the kids were genuinely appreciative. We even got to be interviewed for the school yearbook by the graduating class which consisted of two students. It was too bad we didn't have more time to spend there but we had to get the ferry back on Tuesday. Luckily the ferry ride back was much smoother and we spotted what we decided was a dolphin. Then it was back to Fredericton for 7 shows in three days.
- Adam
Friday, October 22, 2010
Meanwhile, From New Brunswick...
Hi Folks,
I know the office staff must be going ape with For Art's Sake and all, so someone had better be keeping this blog up!
We all are doing fine in Fredericton right now. Two more shows here tomorrow before we head off to the Magdalen Islands on Saturday. We're hoping for good weather. Here are a few photos, taken with my iPhone, mostly from the last leg of our tour through the Lower North Shore of Quebec.
Waiting for the water taxi at 6:30am in St-Augustine's
One of the only times we had to string up the backdrop between the basketball net and the wall!, in St-Augustine's.
Getting a lift by ATV in Harrington Harbour
A small audience for I Don't Like Mondays in Harrington Harbour
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Story Wars at Kingsclear School in New Brunswick - with a rare shot out the window of the elusive fourth member of the School Tour Team, The Van.
Good spirits all around, Charlotte loves the fact that there is both a Boston Pizza AND a Swiss Chalet a few minutes from our hotel here in Fredricton.
Adam almost fell on his face today during Story Wars at Kingsclear School, because the bedsheet got caught on his foot. He had to take his shoes off to finish the show. Both of them had trouble not cracking up.
We have not been doing I Don’t Like Mondays that often but we will have our chance next week: one on Monday and then three times in one day in Fredericton! Need to brush up!
- James.
I know the office staff must be going ape with For Art's Sake and all, so someone had better be keeping this blog up!
We all are doing fine in Fredericton right now. Two more shows here tomorrow before we head off to the Magdalen Islands on Saturday. We're hoping for good weather. Here are a few photos, taken with my iPhone, mostly from the last leg of our tour through the Lower North Shore of Quebec.
Waiting for the water taxi at 6:30am in St-Augustine's
One of the only times we had to string up the backdrop between the basketball net and the wall!, in St-Augustine's.
Getting a lift by ATV in Harrington Harbour
A small audience for I Don't Like Mondays in Harrington Harbour
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Story Wars at Kingsclear School in New Brunswick - with a rare shot out the window of the elusive fourth member of the School Tour Team, The Van.
Good spirits all around, Charlotte loves the fact that there is both a Boston Pizza AND a Swiss Chalet a few minutes from our hotel here in Fredricton.
Adam almost fell on his face today during Story Wars at Kingsclear School, because the bedsheet got caught on his foot. He had to take his shoes off to finish the show. Both of them had trouble not cracking up.
We have not been doing I Don’t Like Mondays that often but we will have our chance next week: one on Monday and then three times in one day in Fredericton! Need to brush up!
- James.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Photos from Story Wars at Harold Sheppard School
Thanks very much to Mom and staffer Kelly M. from Harold Sheppard School who sent us some photos from the performance of Story Wars that took place at their school. Kelly says:
"The Eye! Give me The Eye!"
"I'm Charon's cousin, Gord."
"And Dionysis said, 'Do a funny dance!'"
"I am The Oracle!"
"The Minotaur was a HUGE monster!"
I can't wait for another Geordie Productions play to come to our school! The kids talked about it all day at school today. I work at the school and have 2 children who are students there, nothing but good things were said. They thought it was funny and I can't begin to tell you how true to life the stories are!!! I have seen 2 plays so far, last year Once Upon a Home and today Story Wars, and I relate to both!!! I love it!!! Thank you so much for doing what you do!!!Thanks for your photos and your kind words Kelly.
"The Eye! Give me The Eye!"
"I'm Charon's cousin, Gord."
"And Dionysis said, 'Do a funny dance!'"
"I am The Oracle!"
"The Minotaur was a HUGE monster!"
Monday, October 4, 2010
From Baie Comeau to Sept-Iles
From Jonquière we drove to Baie Comeau with a quick stop in Chicoutimi where James took us to the studio of an amazing puppet maker/papier maché sculptor named Ann Jones who let us into her studio and showed us some of her works in progress which was pretty cool.
After that it was straight on to Baie Comeau where on Sunday we had one of the maybe three days on which we could see the sun we've had so far on the tour. We tried to take advantage of it and spent the afternoon exploring the banks of the mighty St Lawrence, which really is quite impressive in its massiveness.
We had two shows on Monday, both at the deceivingly large local English school. I say deceivingly because in comparison to the size of the school the audiences were quite small, including an audience of 23 students for the high school show. However they were amazingly attentive and we had a great show.
That evening we were taken to L'Orange Bleue, a very nice local restaurant, by Max Côté who is the Community Learning Centre Coordinator at the Baie Comeau High School. Max, probably familiar to past generations of Geordiers, proved to be an interesting and extremely knowledgeable fellow and filled us in on the amazing, and kind of unbelievable history of Baie Comeau.
The next day we did I Don’t Like Mondays in an actual theatre at the Baie Comeau CGEP, with a stage and lights and everything, we even had actual dressing rooms. It was nice to not have to change in a bathroom stall for once, with the ever present danger of dropping costume pieces into the toilet. The audience was responsive and we had a decent Q&A.
After that we set off for Sept-Iles, or rather we would have if we hadn't gotten stuck at the bottom of a very small but very muddy hill outside the CEGEP. In our efforts to extricate ourselves from the muddy pit we managed to tear up the lawn pretty good and pop one of the tires of the van. Fun! So James waited diligently in the rain for the enormous tow-truck while Charlotte and I played cards in the van. Eventually everything was sorted out and we set off for Sept-Iles.
- Adam
After that it was straight on to Baie Comeau where on Sunday we had one of the maybe three days on which we could see the sun we've had so far on the tour. We tried to take advantage of it and spent the afternoon exploring the banks of the mighty St Lawrence, which really is quite impressive in its massiveness.
We had two shows on Monday, both at the deceivingly large local English school. I say deceivingly because in comparison to the size of the school the audiences were quite small, including an audience of 23 students for the high school show. However they were amazingly attentive and we had a great show.
That evening we were taken to L'Orange Bleue, a very nice local restaurant, by Max Côté who is the Community Learning Centre Coordinator at the Baie Comeau High School. Max, probably familiar to past generations of Geordiers, proved to be an interesting and extremely knowledgeable fellow and filled us in on the amazing, and kind of unbelievable history of Baie Comeau.
The next day we did I Don’t Like Mondays in an actual theatre at the Baie Comeau CGEP, with a stage and lights and everything, we even had actual dressing rooms. It was nice to not have to change in a bathroom stall for once, with the ever present danger of dropping costume pieces into the toilet. The audience was responsive and we had a decent Q&A.
After that we set off for Sept-Iles, or rather we would have if we hadn't gotten stuck at the bottom of a very small but very muddy hill outside the CEGEP. In our efforts to extricate ourselves from the muddy pit we managed to tear up the lawn pretty good and pop one of the tires of the van. Fun! So James waited diligently in the rain for the enormous tow-truck while Charlotte and I played cards in the van. Eventually everything was sorted out and we set off for Sept-Iles.
- Adam
Saturday, October 2, 2010
From Chibougamau to Jonquiere
So here's another quick update about our wacky tour misadventures.
We had a ridiculous time finding our B & B in Chibougamau; it was outside of town and our less than reliable GPS didn't help. We arrived in town late and ended up going down a dark and winding road that eventually turned into what appeared to be a rarely used hiking trail.
Between the tree branches scraping our windows, the abandoned mine and the full moon over the eerily calm lake we came to the conclusion that if we continued down the path we were on we would no doubt be assailed by countless axe wielding maniacs and undead horrors.
After turning around we eventually did find the place, which was beautifully located, and woke up the next morning completely unmurdered. We performed both shows for attentive, if somewhat rowdy audiences.
There was an interesting moment during I Don’t Like Mondays which was caused by my forgetting to preset a particular, and rather integral prop. I won't mention which prop but I will say that instead of flipping a coin we had to play rock paper scissors. Seriously. Sorry Charlotte!
It lead to an hilariously “meta” moment when I asked Chatlotte if she had a coin and really meant it. When it came to the moment later in that scene where Ellie calls Jake a "complete idiot" there was just a tinge of Charlotte speaking to Adam.
Anyway, after our shows we made the long drive back to the Saguenay and our destination, Jonquière. It was here that we discovered another item on the list of things you don't want to see when you arrive at a school: stairs, and lots of them. We tackled them with fervor as it was Friday and our last show of the week and they were literally our last obstacle before a day off.
The audience was largish and on the loud side but there was a fun Friday energy about the show. Our weekend was pretty low key, James set up the projector in our room at the B&B and we watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on the wall. Charlotte would be greatly disappointed if I didn't include a quick mention of Le Lotus D'Or, the amazingly kitsch Asian restaurant we ate at on Friday night whose ginger chicken apparently has rejuvenating powers.
- Adam
We had a ridiculous time finding our B & B in Chibougamau; it was outside of town and our less than reliable GPS didn't help. We arrived in town late and ended up going down a dark and winding road that eventually turned into what appeared to be a rarely used hiking trail.
Between the tree branches scraping our windows, the abandoned mine and the full moon over the eerily calm lake we came to the conclusion that if we continued down the path we were on we would no doubt be assailed by countless axe wielding maniacs and undead horrors.
After turning around we eventually did find the place, which was beautifully located, and woke up the next morning completely unmurdered. We performed both shows for attentive, if somewhat rowdy audiences.
There was an interesting moment during I Don’t Like Mondays which was caused by my forgetting to preset a particular, and rather integral prop. I won't mention which prop but I will say that instead of flipping a coin we had to play rock paper scissors. Seriously. Sorry Charlotte!
It lead to an hilariously “meta” moment when I asked Chatlotte if she had a coin and really meant it. When it came to the moment later in that scene where Ellie calls Jake a "complete idiot" there was just a tinge of Charlotte speaking to Adam.
Anyway, after our shows we made the long drive back to the Saguenay and our destination, Jonquière. It was here that we discovered another item on the list of things you don't want to see when you arrive at a school: stairs, and lots of them. We tackled them with fervor as it was Friday and our last show of the week and they were literally our last obstacle before a day off.
The audience was largish and on the loud side but there was a fun Friday energy about the show. Our weekend was pretty low key, James set up the projector in our room at the B&B and we watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on the wall. Charlotte would be greatly disappointed if I didn't include a quick mention of Le Lotus D'Or, the amazingly kitsch Asian restaurant we ate at on Friday night whose ginger chicken apparently has rejuvenating powers.
- Adam
Friday, October 1, 2010
Hello From La Tuque!
On Wednesday we had our very first "road shows" in La Tuque and they went pretty well.
We were greeted in the gym by the Phys Ed teacher who immediately tried to recruit some of his students to help unload the van. We politely (and one could argue foolishly) declined his offer and went about our business setting up.
Story Wars went smoothly and the kids loved it. I think my favourite question of the day was "When are my parents going to buy me a new dog?" Our quick lunch at the local Deli, included a rather grisly run in with a Moose who James later named "Tookie.”
The audience was attentive and afterwards several of the students stuck around to chat. Charlotte talked with a girl who was involved in theatre and had a lot of questions about how to pursue a career in acting. Charlotte related her experiences and encouraged her to continue being involved within her school and her community. They also talked about their mutual passion for the feeling of being on stage.
James spoke with one of the students who had a brother who was at Dawson when the shooting happened. He told James about how his brother had changed since the incident and James gave him an envelope addressed to Geordie and told him he was more than welcome to write to us in the future.
There was another young guy that looked a lot like I did at his age (baseball cap, tattoo on his wrist, sort of slouching) who approached us after the show. He told me that he guessed he was like my character (Jake) in that he wasn't so great at school and had problems passing and got into trouble sometimes. We spoke for a while and he told me about his town and I encouraged him to finish school and to travel, mostly because I didn't really know what else to tell him.
After I spoke with him I had a kind of "Oooooohhhhhh..." moment when i was struck by the realness of what we are doing. I don't mean that in a pretentious or self -congratulatory way, it was just my first realization of how the work that we have all done, and continue to do, actually applies to the lives of the people we are doing it for.
When we finally did pack up and leave we realized our earlier folly and gladly accepted the help of the Phys Ed teacher's recruits, who we now wish we could have taken with us. After that it was a long and mostly beautiful drive to Chibougamau.
- Adam
We were greeted in the gym by the Phys Ed teacher who immediately tried to recruit some of his students to help unload the van. We politely (and one could argue foolishly) declined his offer and went about our business setting up.
Story Wars went smoothly and the kids loved it. I think my favourite question of the day was "When are my parents going to buy me a new dog?" Our quick lunch at the local Deli, included a rather grisly run in with a Moose who James later named "Tookie.”
The audience was attentive and afterwards several of the students stuck around to chat. Charlotte talked with a girl who was involved in theatre and had a lot of questions about how to pursue a career in acting. Charlotte related her experiences and encouraged her to continue being involved within her school and her community. They also talked about their mutual passion for the feeling of being on stage.
James spoke with one of the students who had a brother who was at Dawson when the shooting happened. He told James about how his brother had changed since the incident and James gave him an envelope addressed to Geordie and told him he was more than welcome to write to us in the future.
There was another young guy that looked a lot like I did at his age (baseball cap, tattoo on his wrist, sort of slouching) who approached us after the show. He told me that he guessed he was like my character (Jake) in that he wasn't so great at school and had problems passing and got into trouble sometimes. We spoke for a while and he told me about his town and I encouraged him to finish school and to travel, mostly because I didn't really know what else to tell him.
After I spoke with him I had a kind of "Oooooohhhhhh..." moment when i was struck by the realness of what we are doing. I don't mean that in a pretentious or self -congratulatory way, it was just my first realization of how the work that we have all done, and continue to do, actually applies to the lives of the people we are doing it for.
When we finally did pack up and leave we realized our earlier folly and gladly accepted the help of the Phys Ed teacher's recruits, who we now wish we could have taken with us. After that it was a long and mostly beautiful drive to Chibougamau.
- Adam
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
What I did over my summer vacation
Stayed put. Went no where. Didn’t even drink.
Not everyone at Geordie had such a fine break though.
Dean Patrick Fleming (when he wasn’t off moving into a new house) was busy rehearsing Harry Standjofski’s Story Wars, which I will have the honour of delivering to over 120 elementary schools this coming season.
Meanwhile, Anne Clark (until she took a break to plan and execute her daughter’s wedding at their family cottage) and our new Technical Director worked hard to make sure both sets, for Story Wars and for our high school touring show, got built on time, on budget, and on spec so that I’d be able to comfortably carry them around with me for 8 months.
And no doubt the two tour actors and their stage manager were looking up things to do in Baie Comeau, Chibougamou, or some of the other remote Quebec towns we’ll be traveling to this fall. None of this is new to me though; taking Geordie out on tour has run in my family for 30 years now!
So I just sat in my parking space, took in the sun and abstained from guzzling any gas for 4 months until we’re off and ready to go again.
- The Geordie School Tour Van
Not everyone at Geordie had such a fine break though.
Dean Patrick Fleming (when he wasn’t off moving into a new house) was busy rehearsing Harry Standjofski’s Story Wars, which I will have the honour of delivering to over 120 elementary schools this coming season.
Meanwhile, Anne Clark (until she took a break to plan and execute her daughter’s wedding at their family cottage) and our new Technical Director worked hard to make sure both sets, for Story Wars and for our high school touring show, got built on time, on budget, and on spec so that I’d be able to comfortably carry them around with me for 8 months.
And no doubt the two tour actors and their stage manager were looking up things to do in Baie Comeau, Chibougamou, or some of the other remote Quebec towns we’ll be traveling to this fall. None of this is new to me though; taking Geordie out on tour has run in my family for 30 years now!
So I just sat in my parking space, took in the sun and abstained from guzzling any gas for 4 months until we’re off and ready to go again.
- The Geordie School Tour Van
Monday, February 22, 2010
From You To Us To You
Hi Folks!
For any blog readers who haven't yet seen Once Upon A Home: From You To Us To You (or only got to see our high school show, Smokescreen), we thought we'd take a moment to tell you about the "From You To Us To You" project.
"From You To Us To You" is a process of playwrighting which brings together stories from students in different elementary schools, and turns them into a play that is then performed for those same students, and students across the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes.
Last year, playwright and director Amanda Kellock conducted a series of workshops with students at F.A.C.E., St. Gabriel's, Willingdon, Coronation, and Karonhiahonha schools. She posed them the question "what does home mean to you?" and asked them to answer in the form of a story.
Last week, the tour made a stop at Willingdon School in NDG and met up with many of the students who had contributed stories to the project. They were so thrilled! Students and teachers alike loved the show - especially the students who saw their stories come to life on stage.
Playwright & director Amanda Kellock (back row, centre), tour actors Jimmy, Antoine, and Vanessa (centre row), and story writers from Willingdon School (all around them!)
Once Upon A Home: From You To Us To You" was made possibly by an intercultural conversations grant from the Cole Foundation. Thank You!!
For any blog readers who haven't yet seen Once Upon A Home: From You To Us To You (or only got to see our high school show, Smokescreen), we thought we'd take a moment to tell you about the "From You To Us To You" project.
"From You To Us To You" is a process of playwrighting which brings together stories from students in different elementary schools, and turns them into a play that is then performed for those same students, and students across the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes.
Last year, playwright and director Amanda Kellock conducted a series of workshops with students at F.A.C.E., St. Gabriel's, Willingdon, Coronation, and Karonhiahonha schools. She posed them the question "what does home mean to you?" and asked them to answer in the form of a story.
Last week, the tour made a stop at Willingdon School in NDG and met up with many of the students who had contributed stories to the project. They were so thrilled! Students and teachers alike loved the show - especially the students who saw their stories come to life on stage.
Playwright & director Amanda Kellock (back row, centre), tour actors Jimmy, Antoine, and Vanessa (centre row), and story writers from Willingdon School (all around them!)
Once Upon A Home: From You To Us To You" was made possibly by an intercultural conversations grant from the Cole Foundation. Thank You!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Geordie Tour Visits Carlyle School
Hi Folks!
We are super psyched to bring you this update from the Geordie School Tour Adventure! The tour troupe recently visited Carlyle School in Montreal's Town of Mount Royal district. January temperatures didn't deter a group of local seniors from coming to visit the school and have a pizza lunch with the students. Then everyone got to watch a presentation of Once Upon a Home!
Our local CTV station was there to film a clip about the event. Check it out!
ps - this video won't last forever!!
We are super psyched to bring you this update from the Geordie School Tour Adventure! The tour troupe recently visited Carlyle School in Montreal's Town of Mount Royal district. January temperatures didn't deter a group of local seniors from coming to visit the school and have a pizza lunch with the students. Then everyone got to watch a presentation of Once Upon a Home!
Our local CTV station was there to film a clip about the event. Check it out!
ps - this video won't last forever!!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tour Photos December 2009
Hi Folks!
Here at the Geordie Offices, we may not get the fun of performing every day for amazing audiences like you, but we do have the great pleasure of receiving your fan mail, positive feedback, and when we're lucky, awesome photos from the stops that the Geordie Tour makes along its year-long adventure.
In December 2009 the tour troupe put in a stop at Sunnyside School in Stanstead, QC for a performance of Once Upon a Home for the students at Sunnyside, as well as visitors from Ayer's Cliff Elementary School, and North Hatley Elementary. We know that everyone had a great time because they sent us pictures to prove it!
If you have any photos or feedback from the tour show that you saw, please email them to us!
Thanks to the folks in the Eastern Townships for contributing to our blog!
Here at the Geordie Offices, we may not get the fun of performing every day for amazing audiences like you, but we do have the great pleasure of receiving your fan mail, positive feedback, and when we're lucky, awesome photos from the stops that the Geordie Tour makes along its year-long adventure.
In December 2009 the tour troupe put in a stop at Sunnyside School in Stanstead, QC for a performance of Once Upon a Home for the students at Sunnyside, as well as visitors from Ayer's Cliff Elementary School, and North Hatley Elementary. We know that everyone had a great time because they sent us pictures to prove it!
If you have any photos or feedback from the tour show that you saw, please email them to us!
Thanks to the folks in the Eastern Townships for contributing to our blog!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
No I'm not mad at the blog...I was just a little busy that's all.
It turns out that finding the energy to be barely clever and slightly entertaining after days and days of performing is kinda hard to pull off.
But I will not quit, let's see how much of our adventures I can remember...
After our first leg on the coast we realized how amazing our homes really are.
That first week home went by really quickly, and before we knew it we were in the van once again, on our way to New Brunswick.
Much to everyone's surprise we all fell in love with Fredericton. Not that we were expecting to reenact scenes from Escape From New York (the Kurt Russel classic) but we never expected Fredericton to be so great.
The city is full of fantastic people, just to give you an idea here is an example by comparison: in Montreal pedestrians cross the street when, where and how they want. It doesn't matter if the little red hand on the street light is solid, flashing or upside down spinning round and round. Fredericton must be swarming with Olympic hopefuls because while driving through the town all we saw were flashes of people sprinting across the street in order to make your drive less "annoying". They almost seemed apologetic for crossing the street - and they only did so when the little white man on the street sign made his presence known.
While there we performed back to back to back Smokescreens in the Commonwealth's second largest High School, Fredericton High School. That was an experience in itself for many reasons, the main one being that none of us have ever performed one show three times in a day. I would like to send a special thank you to the entire theatre production crew who helped us out. That week turned out to be a tough one, and it was a true reminder to all of us how important family was. If you ever had a reason to doubt her, believe this, Vanessa is stronger than most people I know or will ever know. To see her perform that morning showed us just a small piece of this incredible woman.
The weekend came quickly and it was time for us to make our way to the Magdalene Islands.
But before we got there we stayed a couple of nights in P.E.I. One of those nights was Antoine's 25th Birthday. So we kept the tradition alive and held our best fireworks show yet. In the company of three great guys we met that day, Jonathan, Sven and Luke we laughed the night away.
I will definitely go back to the Magdalene Islands. It was incredibly beautiful. Cliffs and crashing waves everywhere you look. But one day it started raining, and it didn't quit. We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin' rain... and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath.
So we were stuck inside our rooms...but next time Magdalene Islands you will have sun, I'll make sure of it, I know a guy.
Eventually we made our way back to Montreal for another week and before we could say "Home Sweet Home Sweet Home" we were in the van traveling to Ottawa.
Ottawa was nice, although most of our shows were outside the city, we managed to spend most of our nights in town. Some of us chose a more conventional route, bed and breakfast type places, while others spent the night confined in a 6 by 6 cell. Before you go off telling people that someone in the Geordie touring troupe was arrested...STOP!
Just to be clear, years ago the city turned an old prison into a student hostel. You can, if you so choose, buy a night in a single-double or triple cell. although it was a little creepy it was also a little cool. But I was very happy where I was, thank you A-TEAM!
After our time in the Ottawa/Gatineau region we made our way north, where we had our most memorable show to date.
We made our way back home and had some incredible shows in some incredible places.
We will never forget the P-scene at FACE (an amazing theatre space transformed from an old swimming pool) or the Bell at Marie de France (a wicked 7 second hip-hop beat)
After a quick week in the Quebec City region, we are now home. It has been a heck of a journey so far and it isn't even half way done.
So if you have seen us along the way please feel free to send us a line, and if we are scheduled to pay you a visit...we look forward to it.
Until next time, I'm Jimmy Blais for the G-Team.
But I will not quit, let's see how much of our adventures I can remember...
After our first leg on the coast we realized how amazing our homes really are.
That first week home went by really quickly, and before we knew it we were in the van once again, on our way to New Brunswick.
Much to everyone's surprise we all fell in love with Fredericton. Not that we were expecting to reenact scenes from Escape From New York (the Kurt Russel classic) but we never expected Fredericton to be so great.
The city is full of fantastic people, just to give you an idea here is an example by comparison: in Montreal pedestrians cross the street when, where and how they want. It doesn't matter if the little red hand on the street light is solid, flashing or upside down spinning round and round. Fredericton must be swarming with Olympic hopefuls because while driving through the town all we saw were flashes of people sprinting across the street in order to make your drive less "annoying". They almost seemed apologetic for crossing the street - and they only did so when the little white man on the street sign made his presence known.
While there we performed back to back to back Smokescreens in the Commonwealth's second largest High School, Fredericton High School. That was an experience in itself for many reasons, the main one being that none of us have ever performed one show three times in a day. I would like to send a special thank you to the entire theatre production crew who helped us out. That week turned out to be a tough one, and it was a true reminder to all of us how important family was. If you ever had a reason to doubt her, believe this, Vanessa is stronger than most people I know or will ever know. To see her perform that morning showed us just a small piece of this incredible woman.
The weekend came quickly and it was time for us to make our way to the Magdalene Islands.
But before we got there we stayed a couple of nights in P.E.I. One of those nights was Antoine's 25th Birthday. So we kept the tradition alive and held our best fireworks show yet. In the company of three great guys we met that day, Jonathan, Sven and Luke we laughed the night away.
I will definitely go back to the Magdalene Islands. It was incredibly beautiful. Cliffs and crashing waves everywhere you look. But one day it started raining, and it didn't quit. We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin' rain... and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath.
So we were stuck inside our rooms...but next time Magdalene Islands you will have sun, I'll make sure of it, I know a guy.
Eventually we made our way back to Montreal for another week and before we could say "Home Sweet Home Sweet Home" we were in the van traveling to Ottawa.
Ottawa was nice, although most of our shows were outside the city, we managed to spend most of our nights in town. Some of us chose a more conventional route, bed and breakfast type places, while others spent the night confined in a 6 by 6 cell. Before you go off telling people that someone in the Geordie touring troupe was arrested...STOP!
Just to be clear, years ago the city turned an old prison into a student hostel. You can, if you so choose, buy a night in a single-double or triple cell. although it was a little creepy it was also a little cool. But I was very happy where I was, thank you A-TEAM!
After our time in the Ottawa/Gatineau region we made our way north, where we had our most memorable show to date.
Description:
One show. Two huge turbine fans. One Blackout. 5 dogs. 30 swarming students and a partridge in a pair tree.
We love you Rapid Lake!
We made our way back home and had some incredible shows in some incredible places.
We will never forget the P-scene at FACE (an amazing theatre space transformed from an old swimming pool) or the Bell at Marie de France (a wicked 7 second hip-hop beat)
After a quick week in the Quebec City region, we are now home. It has been a heck of a journey so far and it isn't even half way done.
So if you have seen us along the way please feel free to send us a line, and if we are scheduled to pay you a visit...we look forward to it.
Until next time, I'm Jimmy Blais for the G-Team.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Return of the BLOG
Bonjour my friends,
It has been far too long since we have connected by way of zeee blog. The last time you heard from us we were flying out from Blanc Sablon, making our way West for La Tabatière. Unfortunately, we were unable to make it there due to smog. So sorry Mecatina School :(
Our next stop was Chevery, where we were picked up by a taxi service. A taxi service like no other. One that allows you to be closer to nature. And not even the rain could change our smiling faces as we bounced around the back of a pickup truck.
When we arrived we picked roommates, dropped off our bags and headed out to the general store, which amazingly enough was run by the "taxi driver" who dropped us off twenty minutes previous. The rain did however manage to put a damper on our plans for adventure. So we moseyed on into the Motel "lounge"----Hey I got a joke for you...What do you get when 4 city slicker theatre folk walk into a bar in Chevery? give up? Shirley Temples and some extremely hazardous and potentially fatal dart tournaments.
After our shows the next morning we were to take a water taxi to Harrington Harbour.
Even after a week of being on the coast, we were still astonished by its beauty. Our first hours in Harrington Harbour were spent with our jaws on our chests and our eyes fighting our urge to blink. The town is made up of houses built on hillsides that are encircled by weaving boardwalks that serve as both sidewalks and roads, because it is a small island and because there are no roads there are no cars.
Everybody, including some children, gets around by ATV. It's a trip. An 11 year-old boy was gunning it down the boardwalk on one, he slowed down and pulled over next to us lifting the visor from his helmet. He looked like he was born on that thing. When he spoke I was a little confused, I guess I expected his voice to sound a little more Burt Reynolds-esque.
While in town we stayed at Amy's B&B. The graceful and soft-spoken Amy was an amazing host. She answered all our questions about her town and way of life. We also asked about "La Grande Séduction", a Québecois film that was shot there in 2003. She described it as one of the most exciting things to ever happen to that town. Over an amazing cod dinner, she offered to leave a copy of the movie out for us to watch. We did, and above and beyond the charm of the little town it truly is an amazing movie.
The next day there was a buzz going around town, people were talking, a wave of excitement had spread. No, it didn't have anything to do with us. It turns out the ducks were in town. Not the professional hockey team, actual ducks. Apparently every couple of years some ducks make their way into town, swim around for a while and fly away. If you think I'm joking, I can assure you that I am not. I was stopped three separate times by three separate locals on the way back from the school, they all said they same thing " Hey, the ducks are here!"
The audience for both shows were great. Amy attended, and she enjoyed them. She highlighted the importance of Smokescreen, because of new issues hitting the coast.
We had to say goodbye to Harrington Harbour and hello to St-Augustine. Yet another breathtaking gem of the coast.
The High School crowd was probably the most vocal one we've had to date, totally engaged. The fight between Jeff and Trent riled them up pretty good.
The Principal was a very nice man, who showed a true love for theatre. We learned that he had just helped one of his students get into the Theatre program at John Abbott College.
It was time to head home...Oh, the irony in it all...turns out it is "Home Sweet Home Sweet Home" to us as well.
More stories from the road to come, but for now I'll leave you with this "Once upon a time there was an actor who needed a nap" ...the END.
Jimmy Blais for the G-Team
It has been far too long since we have connected by way of zeee blog. The last time you heard from us we were flying out from Blanc Sablon, making our way West for La Tabatière. Unfortunately, we were unable to make it there due to smog. So sorry Mecatina School :(
Our next stop was Chevery, where we were picked up by a taxi service. A taxi service like no other. One that allows you to be closer to nature. And not even the rain could change our smiling faces as we bounced around the back of a pickup truck.
When we arrived we picked roommates, dropped off our bags and headed out to the general store, which amazingly enough was run by the "taxi driver" who dropped us off twenty minutes previous. The rain did however manage to put a damper on our plans for adventure. So we moseyed on into the Motel "lounge"----Hey I got a joke for you...What do you get when 4 city slicker theatre folk walk into a bar in Chevery? give up? Shirley Temples and some extremely hazardous and potentially fatal dart tournaments.
After our shows the next morning we were to take a water taxi to Harrington Harbour.
Even after a week of being on the coast, we were still astonished by its beauty. Our first hours in Harrington Harbour were spent with our jaws on our chests and our eyes fighting our urge to blink. The town is made up of houses built on hillsides that are encircled by weaving boardwalks that serve as both sidewalks and roads, because it is a small island and because there are no roads there are no cars.
Everybody, including some children, gets around by ATV. It's a trip. An 11 year-old boy was gunning it down the boardwalk on one, he slowed down and pulled over next to us lifting the visor from his helmet. He looked like he was born on that thing. When he spoke I was a little confused, I guess I expected his voice to sound a little more Burt Reynolds-esque.
While in town we stayed at Amy's B&B. The graceful and soft-spoken Amy was an amazing host. She answered all our questions about her town and way of life. We also asked about "La Grande Séduction", a Québecois film that was shot there in 2003. She described it as one of the most exciting things to ever happen to that town. Over an amazing cod dinner, she offered to leave a copy of the movie out for us to watch. We did, and above and beyond the charm of the little town it truly is an amazing movie.
The next day there was a buzz going around town, people were talking, a wave of excitement had spread. No, it didn't have anything to do with us. It turns out the ducks were in town. Not the professional hockey team, actual ducks. Apparently every couple of years some ducks make their way into town, swim around for a while and fly away. If you think I'm joking, I can assure you that I am not. I was stopped three separate times by three separate locals on the way back from the school, they all said they same thing " Hey, the ducks are here!"
The audience for both shows were great. Amy attended, and she enjoyed them. She highlighted the importance of Smokescreen, because of new issues hitting the coast.
We had to say goodbye to Harrington Harbour and hello to St-Augustine. Yet another breathtaking gem of the coast.
The High School crowd was probably the most vocal one we've had to date, totally engaged. The fight between Jeff and Trent riled them up pretty good.
The Principal was a very nice man, who showed a true love for theatre. We learned that he had just helped one of his students get into the Theatre program at John Abbott College.
It was time to head home...Oh, the irony in it all...turns out it is "Home Sweet Home Sweet Home" to us as well.
More stories from the road to come, but for now I'll leave you with this "Once upon a time there was an actor who needed a nap" ...the END.
Jimmy Blais for the G-Team
Monday, October 19, 2009
Photos From the Road - Part II
Friendly faces from across Quebec!
A student makes friends with some ducks, and Murphy the Dragon.
A student makes friends with some ducks, and Murphy the Dragon.
Photos From the Road - Part I
Who knew that kids all over the province were really lions from Africa?
Students see Once Upon A Home at a pyjama party.
Students see Once Upon A Home at a pyjama party.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
To and From Blanc-Sablon
Right in to it...
I know, I know it has been a while since you've heard a word from your favorite touring troupe but I can assure you Canada there are many good reasons for this.
The most significant being our lack of modern day communication tools, i.e. the interweb and mobile telephone service.
The last time we spoke our team was heading to Sept Iles to begin our journey along the Coast. Looking forward, one of the bright points of this part of the leg was the lack of set. By this I mean that because of transport issues we were physically unable to bring our set along on this leg of the tour. At the time, sitting in Baie Comeau, the idea of touring without set was as exciting as let's say...winning the 6/49...like twice.
Man were we wrong, "The Coast" as locals call it, had much more in store for us than what we could have ever expected.
Sept Iles at first glance came across as somewhat of a dreary town, but after our very first interaction with the kids, we fell for it.
Both the elementary and high school can boast amazing students. They were excited, engaged and offered outstanding feedback. We would like to thank the amazing Cassandra. Years ahead of her time she offered conversation that most 20 year-olds would find hard to carry.
Shortly after our shows in Sept Iles we were scheduled to fly out to Blanc-Sablon. Which didn't happen. Yet we were on route to the airport at 4:30am the next morning.
It was about 5 minutes until we landed our 12 seater plane onto the run-way at the Blanc-Sablon airport. Just by staring out at the landscape I couldn't help but think that I was on a different planet, or at least in a different country. For the next 18 hours, without exaggeration, we as a group posed the question "Where the heck are we?" a combined 4,243 times. In between every one of these questions we learned more and more about this town. How lovely the people are, their incredible tolerance to cold weather, and their take on the English language.
From Blanc-Sablon we traveled 25 minutes to St-Paul's River, where we had the most fantastic stay at George and Ina's Bed and Breakfast. There are no words that exist in the English language to properly express the kindness and hospitality that this couple shared with us. It was soooooo nice to see, smell, and feel a home cooked meal. I've never been so happy to see spaghetti in my life. Their stories and the genuine passion in telling them is something that will be etched in my memory forever. Thank You George and Ina!
Along this leg of the tour we hit more and more issues with flight delays and cancellations, something that apparently just comes with the territory. I overheard a man telling an airport employee that he had been trying to get from Blanc-Sablon to Chevrey for 3 days. It's about a 25 minute flight. But fog and rain are much too frequent on the Coast.
Unfortunately that's all the time I have for now, but more tales from the Coast soon enough.
And, rest assured the Diva is still high maintenance but funny, the Authority is still as powerful, the Mad Scientist is still as genius, and I'm just as umpf as the day we left.
tata for now.
Jimmy for The G-Team
I know, I know it has been a while since you've heard a word from your favorite touring troupe but I can assure you Canada there are many good reasons for this.
The most significant being our lack of modern day communication tools, i.e. the interweb and mobile telephone service.
The last time we spoke our team was heading to Sept Iles to begin our journey along the Coast. Looking forward, one of the bright points of this part of the leg was the lack of set. By this I mean that because of transport issues we were physically unable to bring our set along on this leg of the tour. At the time, sitting in Baie Comeau, the idea of touring without set was as exciting as let's say...winning the 6/49...like twice.
Man were we wrong, "The Coast" as locals call it, had much more in store for us than what we could have ever expected.
Sept Iles at first glance came across as somewhat of a dreary town, but after our very first interaction with the kids, we fell for it.
Both the elementary and high school can boast amazing students. They were excited, engaged and offered outstanding feedback. We would like to thank the amazing Cassandra. Years ahead of her time she offered conversation that most 20 year-olds would find hard to carry.
Shortly after our shows in Sept Iles we were scheduled to fly out to Blanc-Sablon. Which didn't happen. Yet we were on route to the airport at 4:30am the next morning.
It was about 5 minutes until we landed our 12 seater plane onto the run-way at the Blanc-Sablon airport. Just by staring out at the landscape I couldn't help but think that I was on a different planet, or at least in a different country. For the next 18 hours, without exaggeration, we as a group posed the question "Where the heck are we?" a combined 4,243 times. In between every one of these questions we learned more and more about this town. How lovely the people are, their incredible tolerance to cold weather, and their take on the English language.
From Blanc-Sablon we traveled 25 minutes to St-Paul's River, where we had the most fantastic stay at George and Ina's Bed and Breakfast. There are no words that exist in the English language to properly express the kindness and hospitality that this couple shared with us. It was soooooo nice to see, smell, and feel a home cooked meal. I've never been so happy to see spaghetti in my life. Their stories and the genuine passion in telling them is something that will be etched in my memory forever. Thank You George and Ina!
Along this leg of the tour we hit more and more issues with flight delays and cancellations, something that apparently just comes with the territory. I overheard a man telling an airport employee that he had been trying to get from Blanc-Sablon to Chevrey for 3 days. It's about a 25 minute flight. But fog and rain are much too frequent on the Coast.
Unfortunately that's all the time I have for now, but more tales from the Coast soon enough.
And, rest assured the Diva is still high maintenance but funny, the Authority is still as powerful, the Mad Scientist is still as genius, and I'm just as umpf as the day we left.
tata for now.
Jimmy for The G-Team
Monday, September 28, 2009
La Tuque
Our night was long, beds were hard to come by but eventually we landed in a wonderful little Chalet about 40 minutes away from the city. We woke up to a beautiful river that the night was hiding from us just 7 hours previous. Vladimir started us off on a good foot with coffee, hard boiled eggs and toast. We were ready for the day. As we left the chalet someone remarked on the smell coming from the garbage can sitting right outside the door. We got to the school, and it seemed as though the smell was following us, Antoine even smelled himself to make sure that it wasnt him. We eventually figured out that the Sulfur plant was the culprit. The people were lovely and we broke the record for fastest strike, 15 minutes, with the help of 8 very eager 11th grade guys.
Chibougamau
There are some perks that come with being so remote, an abundance of stars being one of them. Just before we hit the town we pulled the van over onto the shoulder of the highway, hit the hazards and stepped out to take in all the sky had to offer. While setting up at the school passing students would stop infront of the set to ask what "the Cage" was for. Some were convinced that Antoine and I were gonna wrestle in it, while others thought it was for the lions. Needless to say they were an awesome and imaginative bunch.
Jonquiere
The end of the week brought us to one of the bigger cities we've seen in a while. The show was well recieved, and Antoine and I spontaneously broke out into a subtle and silent three stooges pre-show spectacle which turned out to be a favorite with some of the kids. With only one show to do in Jonquiere it left us with some time to rest, and that is what we did. The Holiday Inn beds felt like a cuddle with Santa Claus, and let's just say we put in alot of quality time in with old Saint Nick.
Tadoussac
It was the weekend and we decided to spend it in Tadoussac. This is something that everyone should decide to do...spend a weekend in Tadoussac that is. While there we managed to walk on the beach, walk through the town and visit some whales. Simply put, a charming town.
Baie Comeau
Another town that sports a very indentifiable smell. Pulp and paper plants provide the town's je ne sais quoi. A cozy space allowed for us to have a very intimate show with an engaged audience. Smoke went over a little better than Home did. But both were definately well appreciated. The English teacher told us that it was one of the best Geordie shows yet. You might think that typing and patting your own back at the same time would be difficult...Uh it turns out that it's not so tough. We were treated to an amazing evening from Max. He brought us out onto the bay in his sail boat. We made friends with some whales as we took in his never ending knowledge. Max my friend, you will make a great tour guide someday.
We are off to Sept-Iles tomorrow, until the next time...
Jim-Bob out
Actor's log, stardate - September 2009
The Mission : To bring these two beautiful shows and everything that they entail to schools across eastern Canada. The Team:
- "The Diva"....Antoine - Although he is high maintenance, he makes up for it with comic relief. He also wanted me to mention that he is the star of the show. LOL
- "The Authority"...Vanessa - Let`s just say nobody gets in her way.
- "The Mad Scientist"...Vladimir - Always has a solution.
- "Cool Hand Luke"...Jimmy - Ok Whatever
Click here to read our biographies
Laval Liberty High School
Our first destination was Laval, where we would show "Smoke" (Smokescreen) to High School students for the first time. The auditorium was full with 9th graders who seemed to relate to Trent (Antoine). They laughed at his sarcastic wit and frowned at those who stood in his way. The students were vibrant and engaged, a perfect first audience. At the time we took the space for granted, but now we realize how advanced it was compared to some of our future destinations.
Coronation School
The poem that we use at the end of the play came from this school, so it was important for us to nail this part. Ehhh not so much, but we assure you Coronation School we have been doing your poem much justice since our visit. The students were an amazing bunch. From here we hit the road to take our plays to students across Quebec.
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