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PROFILE
Since the early seventies, promoting the art of puppetry has been Théâtre de l’Œil’s "raison d'être". As a company focused on research and new productions, the spirit of innovation which it embodies is expressed in its productions for young audiences, in its capacity to promote them, and in its professional training activities.
The objectives of the company are to seek contact with young spectators through passion and intelligence, to propose and instill the appreciation of a variety of worlds by relying on the force of theatrical images, to tell stories which find resonance in the imagination of children, making them laugh, dream and reflect. With a desire to diversify and enrich the art of puppetry, Théâtre de l’Œil favours alternating or mixing diverse type of puppets. Thanks to its scenography designs, the ingenuity of its puppets and the originality of the proposed themes, Théâtre de l’Œil has built up a solid reputation .
Founded in 1973 by Francine Saint-Aubin and André Laliberté, the current artistic director, Théâtre de l’Œil has created twenty-eight original productions Théâtre de l’Œil is a touring company and has always performed its shows on stages across Québec and Canada as well as abroad. Thanks to the hard work and creativity of 350 artists and craftspeople, the company has reached more than 1,3 million spectators during its 5,000 or so performances given on four continents.
Théâtre de l’Œil has a well-established reputation at home and on the world stage, and is a proud promoter of Québec excellence.
FOUNDER
photo: Léon Gniwesch
"I guess you could say that I’m at an age that is referred to as respectable. But I must confess: I still play with dolls! At least that’s the impression I sometimes get when I find myself yearning to tell a story with the help of my puppet friends. It reminds me of how, when I was a kid, I used to imagine epic stories of memorable battles, bold ambushes and picaresque adventures with my little toy soldiers, cowboys and Indians (such vintage toys give away my age!). The wonderful thing with puppets is that the game is forever changing because puppet theatre offers such an infinite range of possibilities. Which is why I have remained such an eternal kid simply having fun trying to bring bits of wood and rags to life, hoping to make you laugh... or maybe even to move you."
André Laliberté developed a passion for puppetry during a stay in a children’s hospital where he saw a performance by Micheline Legendre’s Les Marionnettes de Montréal. He was then trained by this company for about ten years, before founding his own, Théâtre de l’Œil, with Francine Saint-Aubin in 1973.
At the helm of his boat until 2020 as general manager and artistic director, he has performed, manipulated, written and directed a good number of Théâtre de l’Œil’s productions. A savvy artist, he surrounds himself with designers and playwrights known for their ability to create demanding and
refined theatre, building a veritable repertoire for puppetry seen throughout the globe. A creative force in his field, he was one of the three founding members of the Maison Théâtre in Montreal in 1982. Recognised by his peers, an expert in his discipline, he enjoys passing on techniques of the trade, which is for him much more than a profession: it is a genuine passion.
A man of refinement, among his many qualities André Laliberté is a tea lover and chocolate gourmet. He is also a loyal client and fine connoisseur of the Jean-Talon Market which he visits faithfully.
PAST PRODUCTIONS
| 2019 |
Les saisons du poulain, Irina Niculescu, (based on the book of Vladimir Simon) |
| 2018 |
Marco bleu / Blue Marco, Larry Tremblay |
| 2015 |
Le cœur en hiver / A Heart in Winter, Étienne Lepage |
| 2012 |
Corbeau / Raven, Jean-Frédéric Messier |
| 2010 |
Sur 3 pattes / 3-Legged Tale, Simon Boudreault, Richard Lacroix |
| 2007 |
Ah, la vache ! / Holy Cow!, Javier Swedzky |
| 2005 |
La Cité des Loups, Louise Bombardier |
| 2002 |
La Félicité / Dear Fizzy, Simon Boudreault |
| 1999 |
Le jardin de Babel, Marie-Louise Gay |
| 1997 |
Le Porteur / The Star Keeper, Richard Lacroix, André Laliberté, Richard Morin |
| 1995 |
Zoé perd son temps, Michelle Allen |
| 1994 |
Un secret de Polichinelle, André Laliberté (Théâtre de l’Œil's scripts collage) |
| 1993 |
Qui a peur de Loulou ?, Marie-Louise Gay |
| 1991 |
Jules Tempête, Cécile Gagnon |
| 1990 |
Un Autre Monde / A New World, Réjane Charpentier |
| 1988 |
Bonne fête Willy, Marie-Louise Gay |
| 1986 |
Cœur à Cœur, Réjane Charpentier |
| 1986 |
Chouinard et compagnie 2, André Laliberté, Josée Plourde |
| 1984 |
Le Soldat et la Mort, Irina Niculescu based on a tale by Ion Creanga |
| 1984 |
Chouinard et compagnie 1, André Laliberté |
| 1982 |
Ombrelle, tu dors, Suzanne Aubry |
| 1981 |
Les grandes vacances, Michel Tremblay |
| 1979 |
À dos de soleil / Follow the Sun, Jocelyn Desjarlais, André Laliberté, Pierre Tremblay based on Comment une souris reçoit une pierre sur la tête et découvre le monde by Étienne Delessert. |
| 1979 |
Regarde pour voir / Look and See, Marjolaine Jacob, Louise LaHaye, André Laliberté |
| 1977 |
Le toutatous, Marie-Francine Hébert |
| 1976 |
Tohu-Bohu, Jocelyn Desjarlais, André Laliberté |
| 1974 |
Une fable au chou, Jocelyn Desjarlais, André Laliberté |
| 1973 |
Les mésaventures de la perdrix blanche, André Laliberté, Francine Saint-Aubin |
AWARDS
Théâtre de l’Œil
• 2013 - Recognition Award - (29th Grand Prix finalist) from the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
• 2005 - Homage Award - RIDEAU (Independant Network of presenters of artistic events)
Corbeau / Raven
• 2014 - Audience Award and special mention for its props from the Young Critics- Arrière Scène, 2013-14 season (Centre dramatique pour l’enfance et la jeunesse en Montérégie / Dramatic Art Center for the childhood and the youth in Montérégie).
Sur 3 pattes / 3-Legged Tale
• 2012 - Audience and Young Critics Awards - Arrière Scène (Centre dramatique pour l’enfance et la jeunesse en Montérégie / Dramatic Art Center for the childhood and the youth in Montérégie).
Le Porteur / The Star Keeper
• 2005 - Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry - UNIMA-USA.
• 2001 - Chalmers Canadian Play Award: Theatre for Young Audiences.
• 1999 - “Masque” for the Young Audiences Production, “Masque” for the Set Design, “Masque” for the Special Contribution for the Puppet Design - the Académie québécoise du théâtre.
Zoé perd son temps
• 1997 - Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry - UNIMA-USA.
Un Autre Monde
• 1990 - Best production for Young Audiences - Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
Festival International des arts de la marionnette à Saguenay, FIAMS (Canada)
15th World Congress and festival of ASSITEJ International (Canada)
Association québécoise du jeune théâtre (AQJT) (Canada)
Calgary International Children's Festival (Canada)
Celestial City Arts Festival Inc. (Canada)
Cheers! - World Puppetry Series (Hong Kong)
Flint Hill International Children’s Festival (USA
Edmonton International Children's Festival (Canada)
Festival international de la marionnette de Montréal (Canada)
Festival international du spectacle pour enfants inc. (Canada)
Festival Les trois jours de Casteliers (Canada)
Festival XVIII-UNIMA (Germany)
Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes (France)
Festival of Wonder / Silkeborg International Puppetfestival (Denmark)
Festival Petits bonheurs (Canada)
Festival San Luis Potosi (Mexico)
Festival Teatralia (Spain)
IIDA Puppet Festa 2004 (Japan)
International POPPENTHEATER Festival (Netherlands)
Les 3e Échanges internationaux de Cergy-Pontoise (France)
Les Coups de Théâtre (Canada)
Les Semaines de la marionnette à Paris (France)
London International Children's Festival (Canada)
Magnetic North Theatre Festival (Canada)
Maniganses, FIAM (Canada)
Marionnettissimo (France)
Milk International Children's Festival of the Arts (Canada)
Mississauga International Children's Festival (Canada)
Nissay Culture Foundation/Children's Festival (Japan)
Northern Alberta International Children's Festival (Canada)
Nova Scotia Puppet Festival (Canada)
Ottawa International Children's Festival (Canada)
Philadelphia International Children's Festival (USA)
PlayhouseSquare International Children's Festival (USA)
Puppeteers of America (USA)
Rencontres des Marionnettes de Metz (France)
Saskatchewan International Children's Festival (Canada)
Spreacha International Arts Festival for Children (Ireland)
Saint-Catharines International Children's Festival (Canada)
Taipei Children's Arts Festival (Taiwan, ROC)
Vancouver International Children's Festival (Canada)
Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival (USA)
Visions, Festival of visual performances (UK)
ARTS MARKETS
ROSEQ – Réseau des Organisateurs de Spectacles de l'Est du Québec (Canada)
APAM – Australian Performing Arts Market (Australie)
APAP | NYC – Association of Performing Arts Presenters (É.-U.)
Arts Midwest Conference CAPACOA – Canadian Art Presenting Association (Canada)
CINARS – International Exchange for the Performing Arts (Canada)
IPAY – International Performing Arts for Youth (É.-U.)
PAMS – Performing Arts Market (Corée du Sud)
RIDEAU – Reseau indépendant des diffuseurs d’événements artistiques unis (Canada)
SPAF – Shangai Performing Arts Presenters (Chine)
TPAM – Tokyo Performing Arts Meeting (Japon)
SPECIAL PROJECTS
• In 2005, Théâtre de l’Œil was invited to create a puppet sequence for the production of La Savetière prodigieuse by Federico García Lorca, presented at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde from January 11 to February 5, 2005 and then on tour throughout Québec.
• In 2001, many of Théâtre de l'Œil’s faithful collaborators (artistic director, designers and puppeteers) were part of the creative team of Hugo et le Dragon, a cinematographic production by Arico Film Communication, which won an award at the Banff Television Festival and the Gala des prix Gémeaux, in 2002.
• In 1990, Théâtre de l’Œil collaborated both in the creating and filming of a puppet sequence for the 3D éducative film Echoes of the Sun, co-produced by the IMAX corporation and FUJITSU Ltd. and presented at the Osaka (1990) and Séville (1992) universal expositions.
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