Theatre francais de Toronto to Present LE LONG VOYAGE DE PIERRE-GUY

After Les Trois exils de Christian E., the duo Essiambre/Soldevila joins Pierre-Guy Blanchard to tell a new autobiographical story. A percussionist by trade, Pierre-Guy has been wandering for several years across Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Finally, the traveller returns home to the village of Charlo in the heart of New Brunswick. Accompanied onstage by Christian Essiambre, he shares his inner journey with us and the frantic moments that have marked his life.

A chaotic, surprising and disconcerting odyssey, Le Long Voyage de Pierre-Guy B. will be presented in French with English surtitles at the Berkeley Street Theatre October 28 to November 1.

Inspired by percussionist Pierre-Guy Blanchard's quest for authenticity, Philippe Soldevila presents in this long voyage his second biographical fiction imbued with an Acadian touch. After Les trois exils de Christian E. (presented at Théâtre français de Toronto in 2012), he is once again sculpting raw material whose substance is none other than the existence of a singularmusician. With the complicity of the latter and also of Christian Essiambre (a partner of long standing), Soldevila gives voice to the life of a young man who refuses to compromise.

Pierre-Guy B. himself ensures the orchestration of the presentation. A veritable matrix, the space comes alive with sounds, words and images. As memory machines, the instruments give rhythm to a past that is presented raw and direct, convulsed by waves of introspection.

Directed by Philippe Soldevila. Performed by: Pierre-Guy Blanchard and Christian Essiambre

Music: Pierre-Guy Blanchard; Lighting: Marc Paulin.

Produced by: Théâtre Sortie de Secours and Théâtre l'Escaouette. Co-produced by: National Arts Center's Théâtre français.