May – August 2015 Focus on Theatre MAY– AUG 2015 01 Welcome to the Extended Summer Edition of Québec Culture

UK – Ireland – Nordic Countries

May – August 2015 Focus On Theatre MAY– AUG 2015 01 Welcome to the extended summer edition of Québec Culture. Over the years, Québec theatre has earned itself an international reputation as a powerhouse The exciting level of activity you will find here is very of ingenuity, innovation and versatility, with many of its practitioners becoming household much due to you, our cultural partners. Thank you for your names on the global stage. ongoing interest and support of Québec artists and for the care, energy, passion and sheer hard work you inject into Michel Tremblay revolutionised the discipline in 1968 with Les Belle-Soeurs and his plays collaborating with them and us, in order to present their have been translated into almost 30 languages (including the Scottish vernacular) whilst work. Robert Lepage, who will be at the Edinburgh International Festival this August, has won international acclaim and shaken the dogma of classical stage direction to its foundations, Looking back after the end of our financial year, we are especially through his use of new technologies. absolutely delighted to reveal what an extraordinary twelve months it’s been for Québec in the UK, Ireland and the Other renowned names include Wajdi Mouawad, whose play Incendies was successfully Nordic countries. Last year, Maude Laflamme, our Cultural brought to life on the big screen, and, more recently in the UK, new voices such as Fabien Director, and her team worked with 297 Québec artists and companies, contributing Cloutier, François Archambault and Catherine-Anne Toupin, whose work was presented to a significant increase in the recorded number of performances/presentations to a as part of New Writing from Québec at the Traverse in Edinburgh last year. Toupin’s play staggering figure of over2300 , accounting for almost 500 individual cultural events. Right Now will also be staged at the Traverse this May while Jennifer Tremblay returns to the Québec artists are indeed fortunate to have such a dynamic cultural team here in Fringe in August for what we hope will be a third successful year. London, one of the world’s major cultural centres, that works with local partners in order Québec is also present in the West End and on Broadway through the work of Just for to assist the advancement of international partnerships, exchanges, and market and Laughs Theatricals, a subsidiary of Just for Laughs, the largest comedy producers in the networking opportunities in the countries we cover. world, producing a host of successful musicals (see listings pages 20 – 21).

We are now embarking on what promises to be another thrilling summer for Many exciting Québec theatre shows are again coming to these shores (see pages 9 – 11) and Québec artists on these shores, including an exceptional Québec presence at more can be discovered at a host of festivals back home showcasing the best of what our the Edinburgh festivals this August, so keep an eye out for the Edinburgh’s theatre has to offer (see page 19). Festivals sticker throughout the brochure. More will be announced in the coming weeks and months so follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Maude and her team if ever you have a Québec project you would like to discuss. We would love to hear from you.

Bonne lecture!

Christos Sirros - Agent-General, Québec Government Office in London Maureen Beattie in Jennifer Tremblay’s

Québec-UK Cultural Cooperation 2014-2015

Six projects have been selected out of an impressive number of candidates. Congratulations to: Maison de la Poésie/Edinburgh International Book Festival, MUTEK/ Convergence Events (Digital Arts), Théâtre Petit-à-Petit (PÀP)/Productions Hôtel-Motel/

National Theatre of Scotland, Théâtre de la Manufacture/Traverse Theatre, Virtu’O The List Danse/Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD) and to Dazibao/LUX (Visual

Maude Laflamme Marie Morin Muireann Leonard Jesse Peterkin Whilst every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information in this brochure you Director for Culture Cultural Attaché Project Manager Assistant are advised to contact the host organisations for [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] confirmation.

No part of this brochure should be reproduced in full or in part without the consent of the Québec , Ex Machina/Robert Lepage © +44(0)20 7766 5930 | www.quebec.org.uk | www.facebook.com/QuebecUK | www.twitter.com/Quebec_UK Government Office. 887 Cover: CINEMA & TELEVISION CINEMA & TELEVISION 02 MAY– AUG 2015 03 Québec on TV5Monde Origins Festival of First Nations

In the UK via Sky 796 and Virgin 825 with English subtitles Standstill – Majdi El-Omari – 10 June Everyday at 2am Uvanga – Marie-Hélène Cousineau & Madeline Piujuq Ivalu – 11 June Ciné Lumière, London, UK Francekbek – Ongoing from 12 May –

Comedy drama UK Premieres Audrey is from Québec, born and bred, and moves to In English, Mohawk, French and Arabic, Standstill tells the France in search of a new life. She will do anything story of Arihote, a Kanienkehaka “Mohawk” war photographer, to hide her origins, particularly from her boss, who whose relationship with his son Karhiio has been strained ever detests anything to do with Québec. But things get since his wife left them. His life takes an unexpected turn when Francekbek. © LOVE MY TV complicated when her childhood friend decides to join he happens upon the aftermath of the murder of his upstairs her... neighbour. Standstill. Image courtesy of the artist In English and Inuktitut and shot entirely on location in Nunavut with beautifully natural performances from its Tuesdays at 8pm Inuit cast, Uvanga is a glimpse into the Arctic of today. 14 years after a short-lived affair with her son’s Inuk father, La Vie Parfaite – Mid-April – Comedy drama Anna returns to Igoolik with Tomas, a boy born and raised in Family life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially Montreal who never knew much about his origins. when your mother-in-law is massively in debt and has Uvanga. © 2012 Arnait Video Productions Inc. to move in…! http://originsfestival.bordercrossings.org.uk | www.institut-francais.org.uk/cine-lumiere La Vie Parfaite. © Yan Turcotte

Vertige – Mid-May DIGITAL ARTS A family / psychological thriller series Following a fall three months ago, Daphne Roussel is in a coma. Jennifer, her best friend wonders if it was a frequencies (a) & frequencies (synthetic variations) suicide attempt, while Daphne’s brother wants to turn off her life support, creating tension in the family. His parents and other sister question his motives…plus Nicolas Bernier

those of Daphne’s former husband… Vertige. © Pixcom International Inc. 29 May 2 June NOTAM, Klang Festival Oslo, Norway Copenhagen, Denmark Thursdays at 2pm

Les Rescapés Seasons 1 & 2 Scandinavian premiere Until June – Sci-fi drama Composer and new media artist Nicolas Bernier creates sound performances, Montreal, 1964. Inspector Gérald Boivin takes his wife installations, musique concrète, live electronics, post-rock, noise improv, Monique, his three children and his elderly father on and video art while also working with dance, theatre, moving images vacation, where a mysterious man approaches them and interdisciplinary contexts. His latest performance work, frequencies (a), and somehow transports them all into the year 2010! was awarded the 2013 Golden Nica from PrixArs Electronica in Austria. Photo © François Laflamme Les Rescapés. © Les Autres Rescapés Inc. www.tv5monde.co.uk www.nicolasbernier.com www.notam02.no/web

Frequencies. Frequencies. www.klang.dk DANCE DANCE MAY– AUG 2015 04 05

Fragments - Volume I Whelan/Watson : Other Stories Sylvain Émard Danse Danièle Desnoyers

19 May 22 – 23 May 9 – 12 July Brighton Festival Dublin Dance Festival Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House Brighton Dome Corn Exchange Project Arts Centre London, UK Brighton, UK Dublin, Ireland Photo © Sean Malyon

A leading figure in Québec contemporary dance, UK & Irish Premiere Danièle Desnoyers has made her mark with an art in ‘Émard never disappoints, and his latest piece Fragments - Volume I is a masterpiece’ which dance, the visual arts and music converge. As a (paulacitron.ca). A collection of exquisite dances that reach into the soul of human choreographer, she has contributed to the development Edward Watson and Wendy Whelan vulnerability, these fragments are tributes to the artists performing them. Veteran of new generations of artists, and her repertoire is Québec actress Monique Miller offers a portrait of profound loneliness in contrast with taught in Canada’s foremost professional dance institutions. Since 1989, she has created some the raw energy of the three exceptional dancers Kimberley de Jong, Laurence Ramsay fifteen works for her company, Le Carré des Lombes, which is based in Montreal.

and Manuel Roque. Intense, surprising and absolutely compelling. In a specially commissioned programme by The Royal Ballet this July, her work will feature A vital presence on the North American and European dance scene and artistic as part of a new evening of pieces by five acclaimed choreographers. Performed by the two collaborator for Lorin Maazel Opera’s 1984 (Royal Opera House), Sylvain Émard international ballet stars Wendy Whelan and Edward Watson (The Royal Ballet), it is set to be cultivates a powerful and physical choreographic style, with a repertoire of more than one of the highlights of the dance summer season.

30 dance pieces. www.lecarredeslombes.com | www.roh.org.uk Post-show discussion on 19 and 23 May.

Photo © Robert Ectheverry www.sylvainemard.com | www.brightonfestival.org | www.dublindancefestival.ie Moi&lesAutres Choreographic Exchange of the African Diaspora La Otra Orilla

Virtu O’Danse 29 & 30 August Edinburgh Mela 5 July 2015 Bloom National Festival Works by Montreal’s La Otra Orilla (the other shore) are recognisable for their unique and Horniman Museum, London, UK radical approach to flamenco, reflecting an absolutely trans-disciplinary vision. Based on the

Photo © Thiery Michel collaboration between dancer and choreographer Myriam Allard and singer-director Hedi Graja, this company embodies and celebrates the A collaborative two-part project between Virtu’O Danse in Montreal and the Association of timeless and universal appeal of flamenco. Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD) in the UK has been chosen as a recipient of the Québec- British Council Cultural Cooperation Fund 2014-2015. Their new work Moi&lesAutres is a solo that involves close communication with the Starting in June 2015, Ghislaine Doté, artistic director of Virtu O’Danse, will do a one-month musicians, themselves actively committed creation residency in London working with UK artists Alesandra Seutin, Freddie Opoku-Addaie to the choreography, a spirited variation Photo © 2015 Lumanessence Photographie and Andrea Queens, who are supported by ADAD. The work will focus on the African roots of on the sometimes complex art of Contemporary and Afro-Contemporary dance expression, and the creation of choreographic relating to one another. short works will be presented at ADAD’s Bloom National Festival in July. This will be followed in February 2016 by residencies at the Musée de la civilisation de Québec, in Quebec City and at www.laotraorilla.net Tangente, Montreal’s renowned contemporary dance venue, ending with performances of the www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk works created in London.

www.ghislainedote.com | www.adad.org.uk CIRCUS CIRCUS 06 MAY– AUG 2015 07

Quidam Traces Cirque du Soleil Les 7 Doigts de la Main

Photo © Stephanie Boisvert 8 – 10 May 13 – 16 May 22 – 24 May 3 – 6 June 9 June - 12 July 6 – 31 August Saab Arena Scandinavium HK Areena Ericsson Globe Peacock Theatre Edinburgh Festival Fringe Linköping, Sweden Göteborg, Sweden Turku, Finland Stockholm, Sweden Sadlers Wells, London Assembly Hall

Cirque du Soleil continue their tour across Scandinavia, demonstrating ‘A spectacular delight that will rob you of your breath’ once again why their name has become synonymous with the best of - The Sunday Times modern circus entertainment. A contemporary circus company renowned for their innovative Since its world premiere in 1996, Quidam has toured on five continents shows and charismatic performers, Les 7 Doigts de la Main (The 7 and been experienced by millions of people. The international cast Fingers) return to The Peacock and the Edinburgh Fringe with their features 52 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and characters. hit show Traces. First performed in 2006, it has gone on to be performed over 1700 times in 23 Unlike any other Cirque du Soleil show, Quidam does not occupy an countries. imaginary realm but is rather an examination of our own world, Fresh, urban and seriously high-energy, Traces features an extraordinary range of skills, from inhabited by real people with real-life concerns. tumbling through hoops, scaling Chinese poles and balancing seemingly effortlessly on each www.cirquedusoleil.com | www.saabarena.com | www.scandinavium.se others’ heads, to basketball, skateboarding and playing classical piano. A huge hit in London

Photo © Gregory Heirman www.hkareena.fi | www.globearenas.se and around the world, Traces is a thrill-a-minute show that will leave you begging for more.

www.7doigts.com | www.sadlerswells.com | www.assemblyfestival.com iD Cirque Éloize Barbu Electro Trad Cabaret Cirque Alfonse 30 – 31 May Bergen International Festival 7 – 29 August Bergen, Norway Edinburgh Festival Fringe Underbelly Circus Hub ‘Take the energy of a small nuclear explosion and add the attitude of a stroppy Following international acclaim for their lumberjack teenager, and you have iD ’ – The Guardian extravaganza Timber! and sell-out performances throughout Québec contemporary circus company 2014, Cirque Alfonse return to the UK with their inventive new Cirque Éloize returns to the Bergen show, inspired by the beginnings of circus in Québec at the start International Festival with the globally of the 20th century. successful iD, described by The Telegraph Eccentric and chaotic, Barbu Electro Trad Cabaret fuses the as ‘… as nail-biting as it was beautiful.’ traditional and the contemporary, bringing together a human In a constantly shifting cityscape,

Image courtesy of Cirque Éloize punching bag, traditional magic, roller-skating, strongmen, live traditional circus arts such as juggling and music and multimedia techniques, inviting the spectator into a acrobatics are accompanied by trial-bikes, inline skating, b-boying/b-girling and breakdance. The twisted universe: a world tinted by the colours of a big circus soundtrack, created by Jean-Phi Goncalves (Beast) and Alex McMahon, consists of rock, rave. hip-hop and electronica. The company has performed in more than 40 countries, and delighted the Bergen festival audience with Cirkopolis in 2013. www.cirquealfonse.com | www.edfringe.com

Photo © Andrei Kalamkarov www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk www.cirque-eloize.com | www.fib.no

MULTIDISCIPLINARY THEATRE 08 MAY– AUG 2015 09

Vertical Influences Right Now Le Patin Libre Catherine-Anne Toupin

8 – 29 August 5 – 9 May Edinburgh Festival Fringe Traverse Theatre Assembly at Murrayfield Ice Rink Edinburgh, UK

Photo © Alice Clarke for Dance Umbrella ‘It’s chilly down there on the ice, but Vertical Influences is one of those rare shows I could Catherine-Anne Toupin’s play Right Now has willingly have sat through all over again’ – The Guardian, ***** its world premiere as a full English-language production at the Traverse Theatre this May. Le Patin Libre are returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with their new show Vertical Influences, following its highly acclaimed premiere at London’s Dance Umbrella Festival last October. As Alice and Ben settle into their beautiful Photo © Julie Perreault new flat, they realise that the family across the Challenging norms and refusing to fit within boxes, this five-strong, prize-winning collective hall hope to be more than just friends. Juliette, Giles, and their son Francis are wearing out the of skaters are creating a new kind of contemporary ice dancing, far beyond the confines welcome mat; suggesting drinks, hors d’oeuvres and dancing. Things soon begin to heat up as of traditional figure skating. In this double bill, the audience is even invited to view the innocent invitations lead to passionate encounters and unsettling revelations. But who can hear performance up close, with seating on the ice. Be sure to bring a jumper! the baby crying in the back bedroom? www.lepatinlibre.com | www.assemblyfestival.com Right Now walks a delicate line between playful laughs and horrified gasps. It’s Abigail’s Party meets Rosemary’s Baby, teasing and thrilling its audience.

Watch this space for more Québec work at the Traverse during the Edinburgh LITERATURE & PUBLISHING Fringe. Details to be announced. www.traverse.co.uk Kanada berättar - Minne av vatten 12 Québec works in Swedish The Sheep

2 June Corpus

Hedengrens Bookshop Photo © Gary Mulcahey Stockholm, Sweden 31 May Bergen International Festival,

An anthology of contemporary Canadian short stories is to be published Bergen, Norway in Sweden by the publishing house Tranan with a launch at Stockholm’s Hedengrens bookshop on 2 June. You might think that a sheep’s life is pretty uneventful, but that is where Image courtesy of Magdalena Sørensen Selected, translated and with an introduction by Magdalena Sørensen, you are wrong! In this clever and Kanada berättar - Minne av vatten, contains 25 short stories, 12 of which are by an impressive funny outdoor performance the audience gains insight into the real world of sheep. A flock array of Québec authors: Samuel Archibald, Edem Awumey, Marie-Claire Blais, Nicolas Dickner, of sheep and a ram have flown from Québec to Bergen and have settled down in rural Mavis Gallant, Suzanne Jacob, Taqralik Partridge, Gilles Pellerin, Marie Hélène Poitras, Monique surroundings. But all is not quiet and peaceful in this pastoral scene; intense love triangles are in Proulx, Élise Turcotte and Mélanie Vincelette (who will be present at the launch). store, and there is milking, shearing and grazing to be done – not to mention the wolf! | www.tranan.nu www.hedengrens.se The Sheep is engaging, wordless and surprising, and has received awards in several countries. The actors’ fantastic body language and the surreal humour have gained high repute. A charm Watch out for Québec authors at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, offensive from contact-seeking sheep. 15-31 August: www.edbookfest.co.uk www.fib.no THEATRE THEATRE 10 MAY– AUG 2015 11 Photo © Michel Bérard-Nümoov The List, The Carousel, The Deliverance The History of Music Jennifer Tremblay Trilogy Buzz

24 – 26 July 6 – 31 August 6 – 30 August Dundee Rep Theatre Edinburgh Festival Fringe Edinburgh Festival Fringe Dundee, UK Assembly Roxy New Town Theatre

An exciting opportunity to see Stellar Quines’s This award-winning Montreal brass quintet is a true musical phenomenon, skilfully combining presentation of Québec playwright Jennifer Tremblay’s performances of exceptional quality and stage productions that win over every audience. complete trilogy of critically acclaimed plays, which Performed over 1000 times, The History of Music travels through space and time in search of follows the journey of one woman on a path of the origins of music. Bursting with humour and energy, the show explores the main events that discovery about her past, her family and herself. have marked the music of Western civilisation, from prehistoric times to the modern day. The Winner of a Scotsman Fringe First, a Herald Angel and glorious sound of brass accompanies a crescendo of passion and originality for music that goes Best Production at the Critics Awards for the Theatre in back a long way and which is sure to delight the ears of today. Scotland in 2012, The List sees the woman struggling www.universalartsfestival.com to adjust to a new life as her obsession with lists leads

Photo © Marc Marnie www.edfringe.com to tragic consequences. Winner of a Scotsman Fringe First in 2014, The Carousel follows the same woman on a journey into her past, but can she reconcile herself with her discoveries? New this year to the Fringe, The Deliverance finds her struggling to fulfill her dying mother’s wish: to see the son who was torn from her at a young age. It’s time to speak what no one wants to hear.

www.stellarquines.com | www.dundeerep.co.uk | www.assemblyfestival.com 887 Kafka’s Ape Ex Machina/Robert Lepage

Infinithéâtre 13 – 22 August

Edinburgh International Festival 6 – 31 August Edinburgh International Conference Centre Edinburgh Festival Fringe Assembly George Square Studios Photo © Brian Morel European Premiere Legendary director, playwright and ‘visual wizard’ (New York Times), Robert Lepage returns to Infinithéâtre develops, produces and brokers new Québec theatre that is as entertaining as it is Edinburgh to perform the European premiere of his new work. relevant. While Lepage continues to pioneer the use of technology, his work is imbued with an intimacy Based on Kafka’s short story A Report to an Academy, Kafka’s Ape is a critically acclaimed, and humanity that few can match. 887 is a riveting foray into the world of memory, exploring theatrical tour-de-force. Captured on the Gold Coast and imprisoned in a cage, Redpeter’s only how personal recollections are reflected in collective consciousness. escape route is to become a walking, talking, spitting, hard-drinking member of the Peace Industry. In detailing the journey of his enforced evolution from Apedom to Humandom, Mr. Robert Lepage is one of the most influential artists working in today’s theatre. Redpeter is a living embodiment of the irony that perhaps now he is more animal than he ever His unclassifiable career has ranged from epic stagings for the Metropolitan was as an ape. Opera and Cirque du Soleil, to deeply personal solo shows such as The Far Side of the Moon and major ensemble works such as The Seven Streams Photo © www.infinitheatre.com | www.assemblyfestival.com of the River Ota. He has directed many films including the acclaimedLe Polygraphe and has starred in Denys Arcand’s Jésus de Montréal. É rick Labbé www.lacaserne.net | www.eif.co.uk MUSIC MUSIC 12 MAY– AUG 2015 13

Québec Showcase at The Great Escape Québec Showcase at Liverpool Sound City Heat, The Posterz, Dan Bodan, Socalled, Forest In His Heart Groenland, No Joy, TOPS (ira lee), Beat Market

14 – 16 May – The Great Escape – Brighton, UK 22 – 24 May – Liverpool Sound City – Liverpool, UK

Socalled Forest In His Heart (ira lee) Beat Market To celebrate the 10th anniversary of M for Montreal and The Great Escape, Heat and The Posterz will perform as part of a special showcase on 16 May, with the latter also performing at a reception for delegates. Through both their November event in Montreal and their ‘M on the Road’ showcase series, M for Montreal has become an incomparable tool for the career development of Québec’s up-and-coming artists. Photo © 2015 Richmond Lam Image courtesy of the artist Photo © Yasuko Tadokoro Heat’s self-titled EP and captivating live shows have garnered Liverpool Sound City will team up with POP Montreal on 23 May to present a special Québec praise from the likes of The Guardian, NME, and Q Magazine. A showcase at this year’s festival. call to arms to the tune of weaving guitars and baritone crooning, this Montreal 4-piece have been turning heads and catching ears Socalled is a pianist, producer, composer, arranger, rapper, singer, journalist, photographer, worldwide. For more UK tour dates see listings pages 20-21. filmmaker, magician, cartoonist and puppet-maker based in Montreal, and was the subject of Heat. Photo © Thom Drew The Socalled Movie, a feature documentary produced by the National Film Board of Canada. The Posterz are a group of three young hip-hop songwriter/ musicians from Montreal. Best known for their live and energetic Incorporating dance, soul sceaming and spontaneity, Ira Lee recorded his debut LP with Robin “tunupability” as well as their deep, bass-driven tracks, they have Steiner, We are the Future, in just two days, with most of the album being freestyle. Their song toured across Canada and Europe and will launch an album later ‘Gay and Proud’ was the official anthem of the Tours 2011 Gay Pride day. this year. Electronic music duo Beat Market were quick to gain critical acclaim and popular success in The Posterz. Photo © Yannick Fornacciari Other Québec acts at The Great Escape include: Canada following shows at multiple festivals. They were nominated for ‘Best Electronic Album of the Year’ at ADISQ in Québec in 2013. They will also play the Atlantic Stage on 24 May. Reared on Montreal’s underground noise and experimental music | scene, Dan Bodan works with a team of world-class producers, www.popmontreal.com www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk poets and artists, to write songs which fit comfortably in that space between the finger and the mouse pad, the bedroom and Dan Bodan. Image courtesy of the artist the club, the earth and the ether. Quatuor Bozzini Groenland is an artful, orchestral, indie-pop band which combines soulful vocals with lush string arrangements. With 4 & 6 May touches of electro here and warm ukulele there, Groenland’s NY Musik unique musical universe becomes a lively, joyous sing-along- Borås, Sweden Groenland. Photo © LM Chabot filled celebration on stage.

Montreal’s No Joy are gearing up for an upcoming European Since 1999, Quatuor Bozzini has been an original tour alongside Cheatahs. The band are renowned for their voice in new, contemporary, experimental and juxtaposition of unrest and calm, beauty and chaos, truth and classical music. Their vastly diverse repertoire fantasy, in the throes of dimed amps and hair-whipping guitar has led to over 130 commissioned pieces, as goddess rock music. well as close to 200 other premiered works. No Joy. Image courtesy of the artist Winners of numerous prestigious prizes, the TOPS deliver a raw punk take on AM studio pop. Their new group tours extensively across the world and record, Picture You Staring, is a lush array of timelessly crafted to ensure continual development in their art, the songs. Self-written, recorded, and produced, this album contains quartet’s annual musical laboratory, the Composer’s 12 impeccable examples of pop craftsmanship that will reward Kitchen, works to mentor and support new repeat listeners. generations of composers. TOPS. Photo © Rebecca Storm

www.mformontreal.com | www.greatescapefestival.com Photo © Michael Slobodian www.quatuorbozzini.ca | www.ny-musik.se MUSIC MUSIC MAY– AUG 2015 14 Marc-André Hamelin Rufus Wainwright

17 May – 23 July 12 June – 14 July Various venues across the UK and Denmark Various venues across the UK (See listings pages 20 - 21 or visit (See listings pages 20 - 21 or visit www.rufuswainwright.com) www.markandrehamelin.com) Photo © Sim Canetty Clarke Affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and Few recitalists can match Marc-André Hamelin when it comes to imaginative programme praised by the New York Times for his ‘genuine originality’, Montreal’s Rufus Wainwright has building and the Québec virtuoso continues to cement his reputation as one of the greatest established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. His classical musicians of today. In the coming months he will embark on a tour across the UK live album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall was nominated for a Grammy in 2007. Musically, and Denmark, delighting audiences in such prestigious venues as the Southbank Centre and he has collaborated with artists including Elton John, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell,

Wigmore Hall in London, as well as playing two concerts with the Danish National Radio Photo © Barry J. Holmes Pet Shop Boys and producer Mark Ronson, among others. Symphony Orchestra in Copenhagen. Godspeed You! Black Emperor Cold Specks 30 June – Roundhouse – London, UK 22 May 2 – 4 July – ATP Iceland 2015 – Keflavík, Iceland Islington Assembly Hall London, UK Part of an ATP Season at the Roundhouse, Montreal’s

Image courtesy of the artist post-rock giants Godspeed You! Black Emperor debut their forthcoming album Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress, Following the success of her UK shows last year, critically-acclaimed Montreal-based singer- Image courtesy of the artist alongside an enviable arsenal of bona fide genre classics. songwriter Cold Specks returns to these shores in May, continuing her Neuroplasticity album First formed in the early 90s, they have gained a reputation for mesmerising live shows marked tour. Shortlisted for the Juno award and Polaris Prize in Canada, she has worked with Moby by orchestral dynamics, epic rock power and clunky, beautiful film loops. and was also invited to play with Joni Mitchell at the singer’s 70th birthday in 2013. www.roundhouse.org.uk | www.atpfestival.com www.coldspecks.com | www.islington.gov.uk/assemblyhall

Philadelphia Orchestra Le Vent du Nord

Yannick Nézet-Séguin 10 – 18 July Various venues across the UK 5 – 6 June (See listings pages 20 – 21 or visit www.leventdunord.com) Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre London, UK Following on from an extensive tour of the UK earlier this year, which included their highly acclaimed opening concert at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections in January, and the launch This June, the internationally renowned conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin joins forces with of their eighth CD Têtu (Headstrong) at a sell-out concert in one of the US’s top orchestras (of which he is Music Director) for two nights at the Southbank London’s Kings Place in March, Le Vent du Nord return to Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. Hear them perform Rachmaninov, Shostakovich and a UK premiere the UK for a host of summer concerts. by Nico Muhly on Friday 5 June before they take on Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5 on Saturday 6 June. Combining a great stage presence with an energetic, Photo © Stéphane Najman dynamic flair, Le Vent du Nord are one of the leading names

Photo © Marco Borggreve www.yannicknezetseguin.com | www.southbankcentre.co.uk in Québécois folk music throughout the world, delighting crowds with their mix of fiddle, guitar, accordion and hurdy-gurdy since 2002. MUSIC VISUAL ARTS 16 MAY– AUG 2015 17 De Temps Antan Artêria Gallery

31 July – 7 August 11 – 14 June Various venues across the UK Affordable Art Fair (See listings pages 20 – 21 Hampstead, London, UK or visit www.detempsantan.qc.ca) Marie-Josée Bergeron Image courtesy of the artist After another highly successful appearance at The Québec trio De Temps Antan will be performing a slew of concerts across the UK this the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea in March, summer, taking in a couple of folk festivals along the way. Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Artêria Gallery returns to the Hampstead edition in Pierre-Luc Dupuis blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre Québec June, once again introducing the highest standard traditional music is famous for, incorporating fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar, bouzouki and and diversity of Québec contemporary artwork to a a number of other instruments. British audience. Since its establishment in 2007, the gallery has exhibited work by Québec artists at over 40 international art fairs in 16 countries. Representing emerging as well as mid-career artists, Artêria Ayrad specialises in painting, photography, sculpture and glass. 29 August This time, the exhibiting artists will include Marie- Edinburgh Mela Josée Bergeron, Sonya Kertesz, Claire Poiré, Amélie Photo © Mélanie Ladouceur Desjardins, Dominique Desmeules, Yvon Blain, Tony Ayrad is the brainchild of composer/singer Hamza Abouabdelmajid and oboist Annick Beauvais. Moriello and Michèle Atkinson. The collective is made up of six talented multi-instrumentalists who are past masters of www.arteriagallery.com | www.affordableartfair.com world music cross-pollination. Distinguished by their moving poetry, inspiring melodies and Sonya Kertesz Claire Poiré Dominique Desmeules Blain Yvon improvisatory skills, in addition to their own compositions, the group breathes new life into pieces drawn from the Maghrebian, Arab-Andalusian and Moroccan-Jewish repertoires. www.coopfauxmonnayeurs.com/artists/view/ayrad | www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk Julie Favreau

30 July – 30 August La Bottine Souriante Edinburgh Art Festival Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art 31 August Shrewsbury Folk Festival Québécois artist Julie Favreau, winner of the prestigious Shrewsbury, UK Pierre Ayot prize in Canada, is one of eight artists invited to participate in the prestigious commissions Image courtesy of the artist programme of this year’s Edinburgh Art Festival, the ‘Simply the best band I saw all through the summer festival season’ BBC Radio 2 UK’s largest annual visual arts festival. She will present La Bottine Souriante first appeared on the Québec music scene in 1976 and has become the a new film installation at the Scottish National Gallery living embodiment of French North American roots music. Since its formation, this remarkable of Modern Art, developed during and with support from group has released 12 albums, three of which are certified Platinum and four certified Gold. the Royal Over-Seas League international artist’s Altogether, they have sold over half a million albums. Julie Favreau, Work in Progress (film still), 2015 residency at Hospitalfield, Arbroath.

The ten-man strong Bottine has developed a distinctive sound that successfully allies its This year’s commissions programme is entitled The Improbable City and celebrates the work of homage to tradition with a dash of jazz, salsa and pure folk, while at the same time perfectly visual artists who vividly conjure imaginary worlds through their work, creating self-contained representing the vitality and pride of its mother culture. and highly fictional landscapes, which invite reflection on real experience.

www.bottinesouriante.com | www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk www.juliefavreau.com | www.edinburghartfestival.com | www.nationalgalleries.org FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN QUÉBEC 2015 18 19 See below a selection of the 400 festivals and events Québec hosts each year. They all welcome international delegates and industry professionals.

Salon du Livre de Montréal POP Montreal EM15 Festival TransAmériques Salon du livre de Montréal. Photo © Jean-Guy Thibodeau POP Montreal. Susan Moss EM15. Caroline Hayeur FestivalsTransAmériques. Photo © Youngmo Choe

16 July – 4 August 2015 7 – 18 October 2015 12 – 22 November 2015 3 – 6 September 2015 10 – 12 September 2015 16 – 20 September 2015

MA Le Festival international Festival du Nouveau Cinema Rencontres Internationales du Festival de musique émergente en Envol et Macadam Pop Montreal E Emerging Music www.popmontreal.com de films Fantasia www.nouveaucinema.ca Documentaire de Montréal MUSIC Abitibi-Témiscamingue www.fmeat.org www.envoletmacadam.com CIN www.fantasiafestival.com www.ridm.qc.ca

February 2016 (dates TBC) March 2016 (dates TBC) March 2016 (dates TBC) 13 October – 2 November 2015 17 – 20 November 2015 18 – 21 November 2015

MA Les Rendez-vous du cinéma Regard sur le court métrage au FIFA Québec City Jazz Festival Mundial Montreal M pour Montréal E http://jazzaquebec.ca World Music Indie/Rock

québécois Saguenay International Festival of Films MUSIC www.mundialmontreal.com www.mpourmontreal.com

CIN www.rvcq.com International Short Film Festival on Art www.regardsurlecourt.com www.artfifa.com

2 – 12 July 2015 11 – 25 July 2015 13 – 17 May 2015 January 2016 (dates TBC) February 2016 (dates TBC) 21 May – 4 June 2015 Montréal Complètement Just For Laughs ELEKTRA Igloofest Festival International Montréal/ Festival TransAmériques Electronic Music Nouvelles Musiques Theatre/Dance Cirque www.hahaha.com www.elektrafestival.ca MUSIC CIRCUS

www.montrealcomplete COMEDY www.igloofest.ca www.festivalmnm.ca www.fta.qc.ca mentcirque.com DIGITAL ARTS DIGITAL PERFORMING ARTS

20 – 24 May 2015 27 – 31 May 2015 18 – 23 November 2015 27 May – 4 June 2015 1 – 3 December 2015 14 – 18 February 2016 IX 2015 MUTEK Salon du Livre de Montréal OFFTA Parcours Danse Rideau International Symposium on www.mutek.org www.salondulivrede Live Art Festival www.ladansesurlesroutes.com www.rideau-inc.qc.ca Immersive Experiences montreal.com www.offta.com www.sat.qc.ca LITERATURE DIGITAL ARTS DIGITAL PERFORMING ARTS

April 2016 (dates TBC) April 2016 (dates TBC) September 2015 21 May – 7 June 2015 20 – 26 August 2015 August 2015 (dates TBC) Salon du Livre de Québec Metropolis Bleu Les Escales improbables Carrefour international de Dramaturgies en Dialogue Festival du théâtre de rue de www.silq.ca www.bluemetropolis.org de Montréal théâtre Playwriting Lachine

www.escalesimprobables.com THEATRE www.carrefourtheatre.qc.ca www.cead.qc.ca www.theatrederue.com LITERATURE MULTIDISCIPLINARY

February 2016 (dates TBC) 7 – 10 May 2015 4 – 22 June 2015 March 2016 (dates TBC) September 2015 (Dates TBC) 1 – 10 May 2015 Mois Multi Conférence Trad Montréal & Festival Suoni Per il Popolo Les Trois Jours de Casteliers Le Mois de la Photo Les Petits Bonheurs Puppetry www.moisdelaphoto.com Arts Festival for 0-6 years

Multidisciplinary Digital Arts MUSIC La Grande Rencontre Experimental Music

www.mmrectoverso.org/fr/ www.espacetrad.org www.suoniperil THEATRE www.casteliers.ca www.petitsbonheurs.ca mois-multi popolo.org 10e FESTIVAL de

CASTELIERS VISUAL ARTS MARIONNETTES POUR ADULTES ET ENFANTS YOUNG AUDIENCE MULTIDISCIPLINARY

26 – 28 June 2015 26 June – 5 July 2015 30 July – 2 August 2015 27 – 30 January 2016 Chants de Vielles Festival Festival International de Jazz de Osheaga & MEG Pro I PAY International Performing Arts MUSIC Traditional Music Montréal Indie/Electronic For more information on any of the above festivals www.chantsdevielles.com www.montrealjazzfest.com www.osheaga.com/pro Showcase www.cinars.org please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. YOUNG AUDIENCE EVENTS MAY – AUGUST 2015 Confirmed dates at time of publication, see websites for more details.

09 June- Circus Les 7 Doigts de la Main Peacock Theatre, London, UK 0844 412 4300 ONGOING 12 July Traces Sadlers Wells www.sadlerswells.com Ongoing Cinema & Le Journal de Radio-Canada TV5Monde UK Sky 796 and Virgin 825 10 Cinema & Majdi El-Omari Origins Festival London, UK 020 7871 3515 Television Every day @ 7am www.telefrance.co.uk Television Standstill www.institut-francais.org.uk/ cine-lumiere Starts Cinema & La Vie Parfaite TV5Monde UK Sky 796 and Virgin 825 mid-April Television Tuesdays @ 8pm www.tv5monde.co.uk 11 Cinema & Marie-Hélène Cousineau Origins Festival London, UK 020 7871 3515 Television and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu www.institut-francais.org.uk/ From 12 Cinema & Francekbek TV5Monde UK Sky 796 and Virgin 825 Uvanga cine-lumiere May Television Every day @ 2am www.tv5monde.co.uk 11-14 Visual Arts Artêria Gallery @ Affordable Hampstead London, UK 020 8246 4848 Starts Cinema & Vertige TV5Monde UK Sky 796 and Virgin 825 Art Fair mid-May Television Tuesdays @ 8pm www.tv5monde.co.uk www.affordableartfair.com Until June Cinema & Les Rescapés TV5Monde UK Sky 796 and Virgin 825 12 Music Rufus Wainwright Royal Hospital Chelsea London, UK 020 7881 5324 Television Thursdays @ 2pm www.tv5monde.co.uk www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk Ongoing Theatre Just for Laughs Harold Pinter Theatre London, UK 0844 871 7627 30 Music Godspeed You! Black Roundhouse London, UK 0300 6789 222 Theatricals www.sunnyafternoon Emperor www.roundhouse.org.uk Sunny Afternoon themusical.com Ongoing Theatre Just for Laughs UK Tour UK www.jeevesandwoosterplay.com JULY Theatricals Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect 02-04 July Music Godspeed You! Black ATP Iceland 2015 Keflavík, www.atpfestival.com Nonsense Emperor Iceland From 15 Theatre Just for Laughs Phoenix Theatre London, UK 0844 871 7629 May Theatricals www.benditlikebeckhamthemusical. 02 Music Marc-André Hamelin Cheltenham Cheltenham, UK 0844 880 8094 Bend it like Beckham co.uk International Music www.cheltenhamfestivals.com Festival From 21 Theatre Just for Laughs Adelphi Theatre London, UK 0844 412 4651 Aug Theatricals www.kinkybootsmusical.co.uk 05 Dance Virtu O’Danse/ADAD Bloom Festival London, UK 0207 841 7357 Kinky Boots Choreographic exchange of at Horniman Museum www.adad.org.uk the African Diaspora MAY 09 Music Chromeo Somerset House London, UK 020 7845 4600 04 & 06 Music Quatuor Bozzini NY Musik Borås, Sweden + 46 33 28 01 72 www.somersethouse.org.uk May www.ny-musik.se/arkiv/ generalprogram 09-12 Dance Danièle Desnoyers Linbury Studio Theatre, London, UK 020 7304 4000 Watson/Whelan: Other Royal Opera House www.roh.org.uk 05-09 Theatre Catherine-Anne Toupin Traverse Theatre Edinburgh, UK 0131 228 1404 Stories Right Now www.traverse.co.uk 10 Music Rufus Wainwright Llangollen International Llangollen, UK 01978 862001 07 Music Heat Sebright Arms London, UK 020 7729 0937 Musical Festival www.international-eisteddfod. www.sebrightarms.co.uk co.uk 08-10 Circus Cirque du Soleil Saab Arena Linköping, +46 13 190 00 00 10 Music Le Vent du Nord Moonbeams Wold Driffield, UK 07810 831317 Quidam Sweden www.saabarena.com Music Festival www.moonbeamsevents.co.uk 10 Music Tim Hecker Barbican Centre London, UK 020 7638 8891 11 Music Le Vent du Nord Stonehaven Festival Stonehaven, UK 07480 126320 www.barbican.org,uk www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk 10 Music Heat Belgrave Leeds, UK 0113 2346160 www.belgravemusichall.com 12 Music Rufus Wainwright Royal Shakespeare Stratford-upon- 0844 800 1110 Theatre Avon, UK www.rsc.org.uk 11 Music Heat Start The Bus Bristol, UK 0117 930 4370 www.startthebus.tv 13 Music Rufus Wainwright Liverpool Philharmonic Liverpool, UK 0151 709 3789 Hall www.liverpoolphil.com 12 Music Heat Bodega Nottingham, UK 0845 413 4444 www.bodeganottingham.com 14 Music Rufus Wainwright The Forum Bath, UK 0844 888 9991 13 Music Heat Bungalows & Bears Sheffield, UK 0114 279 2901 www.bathforum.co.uk www.bungalowsandbears.com 16 Music Le Vent du Nord Music on the Marr Brampton, UK 01228 670 329 13-16 Circus Cirque du Soleil Scandinavium Göteborg, +46 31 368 45 00 www.musiconthemarr.com Quidam Sweden www.scandinavium.se 16 July Theatre Alex Gaumont stars Regent’s Park Open Air London, UK 0844 826 4242 14 Music Heat Sebright Arms London, UK 020 7729 0937 -29 Aug in Seven Brides Theatre www.openairtheatre.com www.sebrightarms.co.uk for Seven Brothers 14-16 Music Groenland @ The Great Brighton, UK www.greatescapefestival.com 17 Music Le Vent du Nord Hebridean Celtic Isle of Lewis, UK 01851 621234 Escape Festival www.hebceltfest.com

14-16 Music Tops @ The Great Escape Brighton, UK www.greatescapefestival.com 18 Music Le Vent du Nord Kirkgate Theatre Cockermouth, UK 01900 826 448 www.thekirkgate.com 14-16 Music Dan Bodan @ The Great Brighton, UK www.greatescapefestival.com 23 Music Marc-André Hamlein Wigmore Hall London, UK 020 7935 2141 Escape www.wigmore-hall.org.uk 14-16 Music No Joy @ The Great Escape Brighton, UK www.greatescapefestival.com 24-26 Theatre Jennifer Tremblay Trilogy Dundee Rep Theatre Dundee, UK 01382 223530 The List, The Carousel, www.dundeerep.co.uk 16 Music Heat @ The Great Escape The Haunt Brighton, UK www.greatescapefestival.com The Deliverance 30 July Visual Arts Julie Favreau Scottish National Edinburgh, UK 0131 226 6558 16 Music M for Montreal 10th Komedia Studio Bar Brighton, UK www.greatescapefestival.com -30 Aug @ Edinburgh Art Festival Gallery of Modern Art www.edinburghartfestival.com anniversary showcase @ The Great Escape (Whilk & 31 July Music De Temps Antan Cambridge Folk Festival Cambridge, UK 01223 357 851 Miskey, The Posterz, Heat) -02 Aug www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk 17 Music Marc-André Hamelin Chipping Campden Chipping 01386 849018 Music Festival Campden, UK www.campdenmusicfestival. co.uk AUGUST 18 Music Marc-André Hamelin Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, UK 0844 875 0073 02 Aug Music De Temps Antan The Star Inn Wenhaston, UK 01502 478240 Southbank Centre www.southbankcentre.co.uk www.wenhastonstar.co.uk 19 Dance Sylvain Émard Danse Brighton Festival Brighton, UK 01273 709709 03 Music De Temps Antan Borough Theatre Abergavenny, UK 01873 850805 Fragments - Volume I www.brightondome.org www.boroughtheatreabergavenny. 21 & 22 Music Marc-André Hamelin with DR Concert Hall Copenhagen, +45 35 20 62 62 co.uk the Danish National Radio Denmark www.dr.dk Symphony Orchestra 06 Music De Temps Antan Wickham Folk Festival Wickham, UK 023 8071 1818 www.wickhamfestival.co.uk Music Cold Specks 22 Islington Assembly Hall London, UK 020 7527 8900 06-30 Theatre Buzz New Town Theatre Edinburgh, UK 0131 226 0000 www.islington.gov.uk/as- The History of Music www.edfringe.com semblyhall @ Edinburgh Festival Fringe

22-23 Dance Sylvain Émard Danse Dublin Dance Festival Dublin, Ireland +353 1 679 0524 06-31 Theatre Infinithéâtre Assembly George Edinburgh, UK 0131 623 3030 Fragments - Volume I www.dublindancefestival.ie Kafka’s Ape Square Studios www.assemblyfestival.com 22-24 Circus Cirque du Soleil HK Areena Turku, Finland www.lippupalvelu.fi @ Edinburgh Festival Fringe Quidam 06-31 Theatre Jennifer Tremblay Trilogy Assembly Roxy Edinburgh, UK 0131 623 3030 23 Music Québec Showcase with POP Cavern Stage Liverpool, UK 0871 220 0260 The List, The Carousel, www.assemblyfestival.com Montreal @ Liverpool Sound www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk The Deliverance City (Socalled, Forest In His @ Edinburgh Festival Fringe Heart (ira lee), Beat Market) 24 Music Beat Market @ Liverpool Atlantic Stage Liverpool, UK 0871 220 0260 06-31 Circus Les 7 Doigts de la Main Assembly Hall Edinburgh, UK 0131 623 3030 Sound City www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk Traces www.assemblyfestival.com @ Edinburgh Festival Fringe 27 Music Marc-André Hamelin Royal Danish Library Copenhagen, +45 33 47 47 47 Denmark www.kb.dk 07 Music De Temps Antan Ropetackle Arts Centre Shoreham-by- 01273 464440 Sea, UK www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk 29 Digital Arts Nicolas Bernier NOTAM Oslo, Norway +47 22 35 80 60 Circus Cirque Alfonse frequencies (a) + frequencies www.notam02.no 07-29 Underbelly Circus Hub Edinburgh, UK 0844 545 8252 (synthetic variations) Barbu Electro Trad Cabaret www.underbellyedinburgh. @ Edinburgh Festival Fringe co.uk 30-31 Circus Cirque Éloize Bergen International Bergen, Norway +47 55 21 06 30 08-09 Music Chilly Gonzales The Hub Edinburgh, UK 0131 473 2000 iD Festival www.fib.no Chambers @ Edinburgh www.eif.co.uk 31 Theatre Corpus Bergen International Bergen, Norway +47 55 21 06 30 International Festival The Sheep Festival www.fib.no 08-29 Multi Le Patin Libre Assembly at Edinburgh, UK 0131 623 3030 31 Music Voivod Temples Festival Bristol, UK www.templesfestival.co.uk Vertical Influences Murrayfield Ice Rink www.assemblyfestival.com @ Edinburgh Festival Fringe JUNE 13-22 Theatre Robert Lepage Edinburgh International Edinburgh, UK 0131 473 2000 887 Conference Centre www.eif.co.uk 02 June Digital Arts Nicolas Bernier Klang Festival Copenhagen, www.klang.dk @ Edinburgh International frequencies (a) + frequencies Denmark Festival (synthetic variations) 15-31 Literature & Québec authors TBA Charlotte Square Edinburgh, UK 0845 373 5888 02 Literature & Launch of Kanada berättar - Hedengrens Bookshop Stockholm, +46 8 611 51 28 Publishing @ Edinburgh International Gardens www.edbookfest.co.uk Publishing Minne av vatten (anthology Sweden www.hedengrens.se Book Festival inc. Québec short stories) 29 Music Ayrad Main Stage Edinburgh, UK 0131 661 7100 03-06 Circus Cirque du Soleil Ericsson Globe Stockholm, +46 86 00 91 00 @ Edinburgh Mela www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk Quidam Sweden www.globearenas.se 29 & 30 Dance La Otra Orilla Edinburgh, UK 0131 661 7100 @ Edinburgh Mela 05-06 Music Yannick Nézet-Séguin Royal Festival Hall, London, UK 0844 875 0073 www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk conducts the Philadelphia Southbank Centre www.southbankcentre.co.uk 31 Music La Bottine Souriante Shrewsbury Folk Shrewsbury, UK 01743 892800 Orchestra Festival www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk