Marie Chouinard, Canada’s insatiably curious Queen of contemporary dance, presents her latest choreographic achievement, THE GOLDEN MEAN (LIVE), in the NAC Theatre – for one-night only – on November 9, 2011. The performance is sold out, but those still interested should check for last minute returns.

An NAC co-production, this intensely absorbing, humorous and deeply human work enjoyed critical acclaim following its world premiere at the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

The legendary Quebec artist’s new work is inhabited by an eccentric cast of characters that appear to come from a friendly future, interacting with and reacting to each other with a kind of “hyper sensibility” that transports the piece into the realm of poetry. Complete with an extended catwalk that reaches into the audience, and audience seats that reach onto the stage, this otherworldly performance experience is hauntingly beautiful, peppered with outrageously funny moments.

Its title refers to that mathematical proportion -- the “golden ratio” or “divine proportion” -- explored by the Ancient Greeks that became a subject of deep fascination for artists and architects over the centuries searching for harmony and balance in their work. In creating the score for THE GOLDEN MEAN (LIVE), composer and long-time collaborator Louis Dufort made explicit use of the golden ratio, using it to define sections of his music.

Chouinard’s immense talent for finding obscure and fascinating inspiration for her creations saw her choreographic gifts recognized last year with the prestigious prix Denise-Pelletier, one of the Prix du Quebec 2010. This represents the highest honour bestowed by the Government of Québec in recognition of a distinguished career in arts and culture. The award also coincided with the 20^th anniversary of the Compagnie Marie Chouinard – celebrating two prolific decades of choreographic triumphs by one of the most important and iconic artists working in the country today.

“Contemporary dance at its best, THE GOLDEN MEAN (LIVE) was funny, outrageous, rude, theatrical, and gorgeous to look at.”
Vancouver Sun (2010)

“THE GOLDEN MEAN (LIVE) is another in a long line of challenging and visually arresting pieces. Silly and profound, chaotic and expressive… quite wonderful 80-minute oddity.”
The Globe and Mail (2010)

THE GOLDEN MEAN (LIVE)

Choreography and artistic direction: Marie Chouinard
Original music: Louis Dufort
Lighting: Alexis Bowles
Set design: Marie Chouinard and Guillaume Lord
Costumes and wigs: Vandal
Masks and props: Marie Chouinard
Make-up: Jacques Lee Pelletier
Props construction: Marilène Bastien
Sound effects: Edward Freedman
Production director: Yvon Baril

Dancers at the creation: Mark Eden-Towle, Benjamin Kamino, Leon Kupferschmid, Lucy M. May, Lucie Mongrain, Mariusz Ostrowski, Carol Prieur, Gérard Reyes, Dorotea Saykaly, Lucie Vigneault, James Viveiros

Dancers: Paige Culley, Kimberley De Jong, Valeria Gallucio, Benjamin Kamino, Leon Kupferschmid, Lucy M. May, Michael Nameishi, Mariusz Ostrowski, Carol Prieur, Gérard Reyes, Dorotea Saykaly, Lucie Vigneault, James Viveiros, Megan Walbaum

A production of the COMPAGNIE MARIE CHOUINARD, in co-production with the National Arts Centre (Ottawa), Place des Arts (Montreal), Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad (Vancouver), with the support of ImPulsTanz (Vienna) and Théâtre de la Ville (Paris).

Duration: 78 minutes

DANCE MASTER CLASS

In the style of Marie Chouinard
This class offers a rare opportunity to dance with Kirsten Andersen, a former company member from COMPAGNIE MARIE CHOUINARD. This one and a half hour workshop is open to intermediate-advanced level dancers ages 14 and up, and participants must have contemporary dance experience.

Tuesday November 8, 2011
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Rehearsal Hall B, National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa (Enter by Stage Door)

Cost $15, payable in cash on site

Pre-registration required at soutter@magma.ca 613-947-7000 ext

Compagnie Marie Chouinard performs THE GOLDEN MEAN (LIVE) in the NAC Theatre on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $37.67, $46.28 and $50.58 for adults and $20.34, $24.64 and $26.79 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office
• At all Ticketmaster outlets
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS) new!
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)
• A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster

This production is eligible for the Trinity Live Rush program. Full-time students aged 13-29 with a valid Live Rush membership may buy up to two tickets per performance at the discounted price of only $12 per ticket. Live Rush tickets are available from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the performance. This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house. Check out liverush.ca for information on the Trinity Live Rush program.

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For more information, please contact:
Eleri Evans
Marketing and Communications Officer, Dance
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000 ext. 379; e-mail: eleri.evans@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca