Paroles d’oiseaux 

children’s show devised with la Compagnie de l’Oiseau Mouche

“Sometimes, when I wanted to talk and the words wouldn’t come, my family would talk in my name. So I became silent. Some people reproached me for not talking, how could I explain to them that I was talking, but they hadn’t understood”  Florence Decourcelle, actress in la Compagnie de l’Oiseau-Mouche

Paroles d’oiseaux, was a project initiated by  la Compagnie de l’Oiseau-Mouche. This company, based in Roubaix, in Northern France, is made up of 23 professional actors, all with some kind of mental disability. The company has existed for over twenty years, and their productions with invited directors have toured all over the world. For their first piece for young audiences, they wanted to address a young public (children of primary school age) on the theme of ‘difference’.  Rather than choosing a pre-existent text, they wanted to speak “in their own words”. The whole company were to be involved in the project, all the actors were to participate in the writing process…

The result was a show with texts and songs written collectively by the company, with a curious cast of characters, the Stranger, the Queen on Wheels, Monsieur Ouk, two pantomime birds and a toy dog. Phoebe Dingwall painted the large abstract backdrops which were wheeled around on a strange,metal, and not very functional mechanical device. We also went into local schools to research and film.

Marvellously poetic, the beautifully coloured world of Parole d’Oiseaux, directed with humour, dexterity and depth by Kate France is also serious and tender. This original work, which came about from the desire to talk to young audiences about disability in a funny but responsible way does just that by guiding us towards an understanding of what it is to be “different”. “Not like the others” is written up in black and white “We are all different” “We are all afraid” . Strong messages to convey that we are always afraid of what we don’t know and don’t understand…” (Brigitte Lemery, La Voix de nord 22/11/2003)

Directed by : Kate France / Music : Eric Sterenfeld / Paintings : Phoebe Dingwall / Metal constructions : Christophe Mureau / Vidéo : Kate France / Costumes : Julie Z / performed by: Virginie Bedart, Jérémie Boudef, Yannick Deraine, Baptiste Le Maradour, David Mariette / film made with the participation of Class CM1 Ecole Pierre de Roubaix

Production : Compagnie de l’Oiseau Mouche supported by Lille Métropole, Communauté Urbaine

Paroles d’Oiseaux was created in 2003 at le Garage, Roubaix, and toured to La Rose des Vents, Scène Nationale de Villeneuve d’Ascq, and other venues in Northern France.

Nature

An exploration of forces beyond human control, made with the assistance of friends, family and pets

In a hastily constructed theatre, with the workings clearly visible, The Grand Opera of Oklahoma attempts to encompass the whole of Nature in one hour. Featuring three performers and a tortoise, ingenious mechanical devices, live music and specially made home movies.

Astonishing transformations, daredevil feats and breathtaking celestial pageants are nearly managed. Sandwiched between the acts are furtive amorous encounters and moments of acute melancholy.

« When I first saw Nature, I was struck by the poetic qualities and theatrical freedom of the performances. Gentleness – that mixture of humour, precision, freedom and potential cruelty – is probably one of the most difficult qualities to convey in the theatre. Nature succeeds in doing it, treading a fine line of unfinished theatre. » Jean-Marie Hordé, théâtre de la Bastille, Paris

Devised  by : Andrew Davenport, Kate France et Jean-Daniel Paris / Performed by Andrew Davenport, Kate France, John McEwen and  Jean-Daniel Paris / with film appearances by :  Olive Davenport et Doris Roberts /  Lighting : Andrew Stickland / Sound : Jon Pinsky .

Nature was first commissioned by the Arts council for the Heatwave festival at the Serpentine Gallery. After being seen at the 1991 Edinburgh Festival, it was performed in the Yermolova Theatre, Moscow and in the Theatre de la Bastille, Paris, with the support of the British Council. In December 1992, Nature was performed at the  ICA, London in the Ripple Effect as part of the Grand Opera of Oklahoma special Christmas double bill, together with Circus.