A living room. A clock. A child seated in an oversize armchair. Time drags on, the seconds tick by, things come to a standstill. Then suddenly a sound, a tiny little sound, unusual and intriguing, comes from the lethargic child. Now the tableaux gradually spring to life, the mirror perks up, the books start to tell their stories, the closets and drawers become passageways to an imaginary world inhabited by all sorts of mischievous characters. Take part in a thrilling adventure in this land of dreams concocted by the amazing artist Claudie Gagnon! L’histoire du grillon égaré dans un salon will be presented at the NAC Studio from February 28 to March 1, for ages 4 and up.

After designing for the Théâtre des Confettis the installation performances Amour, délices et ogre and Les mécaniques célestes, presented at the NAC in 2004 and 2012, the multidisciplinary artist Claudie Gagnon once again gives full rein onstage to fabulous fantasy, delightfully marvellous and festive. With L’histoire du grillon égaré dans un salon she celebrates the imagination and the art of reinventing our surroundings. Composed of a series of tableaux of a world of many possibilities, the show is punctuated by an array of sound produced live by Frédéric Lebrasseur.

In L’histoire du grillon égaré dans un salon, the child discovers a capacity for creating poetry from objects near at hand. …The child realizes that by plunging into a book, by looking at a painting or being carried away by entrancing music he can transform boredom into a journey into a fabulous archipelago. Taking one’s time can be an incredible pastime.

Claudie Gagnon, designer and director

If you do not know Claudie Gagnon’s work, don’t miss this opportunity to enter into her enchanting artistic world.

Conceived and directed by: Claudie Gagnon // cast: Jonathan Gagnon, Maryse Lapierre, Frédéric Lebrasseur // sets, costumes and props designed by: Claudie Gagnon // music: Frédéric Lebrasseur // technical director: Marie Rondot // lighting: Christian Fontaine.

Produced by: Théâtre des Confettis

Duration: 50 minutes

Families are invited to join in the pre-show activities in the Studio lobby 45 minutes before the performance. Like Claudie Gagnon, they can dream up madcap, magical or fantastic costumes. Their sketches will be added to an exhibit portraying the bold and highly creative universe of this multidisciplinary artist. In addition, the Book Nook, established in conjunction with the Ottawa Public Library, will offer children of all ages a chance to discover books related to the themes underlying the performance.