The Andersen Project

An Ex Machina production presented by Canadian Stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre October 21 to 30, 2010

Toronto – Canadian Stage is thrilled to bring Ex Machina’s production of The Andersen Project to Toronto theatre audiences. Canadian visionary Robert Lepage has created a modern-day, multimedia fairytale that tells the story of a Quebecois songwriter (Yves Jacques, The Barbarian Invasions, The Far Side of the Moon) whose notable engagement with the Paris Opera helps him discover what defines, motivates and inspires him. The production runs October 21 to 30, 2010 at the Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front Street East, Toronto. Tickets are available in person, by phone 416.368.3110, or online at canadianstage.com.

In this impressive one-man show, Lepage creates a compelling personal chronicle and magical onstage experience. The story is based on the life and writing of legendary storyteller Hans Christian Andersen with inspiration from anecdotes of the celebrated author’s Parisian travels. The production combines cutting-edge technology and stage craft to tell its story. Lepage, a multidisciplinary artist, is renowned for his work in Canada and abroad, as well as for many original works, among them The Dragons’ Trilogy, Vinci, The Far Side of the Moon and The Blue Dragon.

"Lepage is a titan of the international stage and a visionary in Canadian theatre. We are so pleased to collaborate on this exciting project,” said Matthew Jocelyn, Artistic & General Director of Canadian Stage. “We look forward to sharing this remarkable production with our audiences.”

Originally commissioned by the Kingdom of Denmark in 2005 as part of their 200^th anniversary celebrations of Hans Christian Andersen’s birth, The Andersen Project has been performed in Canada, the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

“A playful and dazzling ode to the imagination and an evening of storytelling worthy of Hans Christian [Andersen] himself.” - Mark Fisher of The Guardian (UK)

In the second show of Canadian Stage’s 2010 – 2011 season, Lepage’s modern and original approach and Jacques’ virtuoso performance breaks conventional theatre boundaries while challenging and entertaining audiences. With this production, Artistic & General Director Matthew Jocelyn builds on his mandate to present national and international multi-disciplinary theatre productions, featuring directors and playwrights at the forefront of contemporary theatre.

Canadian Stage is pleased to collaborate with the Sony Centre to feature Robert Lepage productions from Ex Machina for Toronto audiences. Eonnagata will run at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts from November 18 to 19, 2010. For details visit http://www.sonycentre.ca/Events/Event-Detail.aspx?evtID=54.


About The Andersen Project:
Written and directed by Robert Lepage with script collaborators Peder Bjurman and Marie Gignac
Performed by Yves Jacques
Assistant Director: Félix Dagenais
Associate Set Designer: Jean Le Bourdais
Associate Lighting Designer: Nicolas Marois
Sound Designer: Jean-Sébastien Côté
Costume Designer: Catherine Higgins
Images produced by Jacques Collin, Véronique Couturier, David Leclerc
Produced by Ex Machina

About Canadian Stage:
Founded in 1987 with the merger of CentreStage and Toronto Free Theatre, Canadian Stage is one of Canada’s leading not-for-profit contemporary theatre companies. Led by Artistic & General Director Matthew Jocelyn, Canadian Stage produces and showcases innovative theatre work from Canada and around the world, allowing its audience to encounter daring work guided by a strong directorial vision and a 21^st-century aesthetic. The company prides itself on presenting trans-disciplinary work and work in translation that pushes the boundaries of form and style. The company reinforces the presence of Canadian art and artists within an international context through work that mirrors the cultural diversity of Toronto. Canadian Stage has a long-standing commitment to education and enhancement programs for the public and investing in the art form by nurturing and developing theatre professionals while producing thought-provoking theatre and quality entertainment in Toronto, one of North America’s largest theatre centres. For more information, refer to canadianstage.com.

About Ex Machina:
Ex Machina was founded in 1994 by Robert Lepage as a multidisciplinary company bringing together actors, writers, set designers, technicians, opera singers, puppeteers, computer graphic designers, video artists, contortionists and musicians.  The creative team believes that the performing arts (dance, opera, and music) should be mixed with recorded arts (filmmaking, video art and multimedia). Ex Machina strives to serve as a laboratory and incubator for a form of theatre that will reach and touch audiences. Ex Machina has produced the touring production of The Andersen Project since 2005, featuring Yves Jacques since 2007. Ex Machina is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, Quebec's Arts and Literature Council and the City of Quebec.