Arctic Tall Tales
At the age of nineteen, Danish writer Jørn Riel arrived on the remote north-eastern coast of Greenland, where he lived for sixteen years amongst hunters and trappers in one of the harshest environments on Earth. These experiences gave rise to the legendary collection of humorous and deeply human stories known as Arctic Tall Tales.
The performance, which combines puppetry, storytelling, live music and cinematic soundscapes, brings these extraordinary stories to the stage, balancing adventure, comedy, solitude and survival. Somewhere between myth and autobiography, the production depicts an eccentric community of men grappling with loneliness, extreme weather, endless winters and the unyielding forces of nature. Yet beneath the humour and absurd escapades lies a poignant reflection on loneliness, friendship, resilience and the fragile social bonds that emerge in extreme conditions. The lives of these polar hunters unexpectedly mirror contemporary experiences of isolation, uncertainty and emotional loneliness.
In English with Slovenian subtitles.
La ruée vers l'or is a Quebec-based collective specialising in puppet theatre with live music and synchronised sound effects (foley). Inspired by film, comics and urban storytelling, the group creates visually rich performances that balance humour, humanity and a strong theatrical atmosphere.
- Author:
Jørn Riel - Author of adaptation:
Anne Lalancette (in collaboration with Francis Monty, Jérémie Desbiens, Simon Landry-Desy, Alexandre Harvey) - Translator into English:
Kristina Troske - Directors:
Anne Lalancette, Francis Monty (in collaboration with Jérémie Desbiens, Simon Landry-Desy, Alexandre Harvey) - Cast:
Jérémie Desbiens, Jean-François Beauvais, Anne Lalancette - Music and sound design, sound engineer:
Alexandre Harvey - Stage manager:
Miguel Angel Gutiérrez - Visual designer:
Sophie Deslauriers (based on original illustrations by Hervé Tanquerelle) - Puppet makers:
Sophie Deslauriers, Claudine Rivest - Set designer:
Corinne Merrell - Set and prop makers:
Corinne Merrell, Nancy Belzile - Lighting designer:
Nancy Longchamp