Le chant de l’arbre | Celebrate nature in the city with a roving show by Toxique Trottoir

Montreal, September 14, 2023 – The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the National Theatre School of Canada and the Regroupement des arts de rue are pleased to join forces to present, from September 21 to 24, Le chant de l’arbre, a roving show in the Quartier des Spectacles. Created by the street-theatre company Toxique Trottoir, this mobile performance that moves between Sainte-Catherine St. West and Esplanade Tranquille is an ode to our urban forests. The show combines singing, music, storms and forest aromas.

At sunset, nine tree-creatures will slowly make their way through the downtown core, softly singing waves of greenness and enchantment. Symbolizing trees as the essential avatar of the living world, this contemplative work is intended to give the public an opportunity to bond with nature.

During a creative residency, Toxique Trottoir was able to enhance its original work, involving three characters, which had already been presented in several cities across Quebec. The new version includes six additional performers, reworked costumes and a static portion with three tableaux. There is also a cultural mediation component, with students from Ateliers Didascalie playing forest creatures.

The project is part of the Quartier des Spectacles’ triennial greening plan. In the spring of 2023, the plan unveiled a series of urban ecology initiatives. Le chant de l'arbre provides an opportunity to make the public more aware of the importance of urban trees and other vegetation.

Le chant de l’arbre was developed following a call for proposals issued in November 2022. The call was aimed at giving creators the opportunity to design and present an artistic performance for public space. The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the National Theatre School of Canada and Regroupement des arts de rue all committed to working with the winning collective in the production and presentation of its work. The project is the third annual edition of a special street-arts event aimed at advancing and promoting the discipline.

Le chant de l’arbre was developed following a call for proposals issued in November 2022. The call was aimed at giving creators the opportunity to design and present an artistic performance for public space. The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the National Theatre School of Canada and Regroupement des arts de rue all committed to working with the winning collective in the production and presentation of its work. The project is the third annual edition of a special street-arts event aimed at advancing and promoting the discipline.

ABOUT TOXIQUE TROTTOIR

Street theater company founded in 2004, Toxique Trottoir creates shows to bond people interculturally, and intergenerationally, as the cosmopolitan public of the city. Deeply convinced that social and artistic matters can meet in exceptional projects, our creations are festive invitations to talk about contemporary challenges. The company brings the artists, the public and public spaces together to encourage encounters and unusual dialogues. A meeting between theater, clown and poetry that changes the rapport to daily life, the city and to representation.

More information: toxique.ca

ABOUT THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES PARTNERSHIP

The Quartier des Spectacles is 20 years old! The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues as well as numerous festivals and events. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal. 

More information: quartierdesspectacles.com

ABOUT THE CONSEIL DES ARTS DE MONTRÉAL

Offering various forms of assistance, the Conseil des arts de Montréal identifies, supports and recognizes artistic innovation and creative expression in all their diversity to promote Montreal’s artists and arts organizations active in creation, production and presentation. Since 1956, the Conseil has played a unique role as a catalyst for this artistic ecosystem, helping make Montreal one of the world’s great cultural metropolises.

More information: artsmontreal.org/en/

ABOUT THE NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL OF CANADA

As a global leader in theatre training, NTS shares its expertise and resources with a broad and diverse community of Canadians to ensure that the performing arts continue to play an important role in society.   To serve the evolving needs of Canadian theatre, NTS:

• Provides incomparable training in French and English to actors, directors, playwrights, designers and production specialists to prepare them to work in professional theatre;

• Delivers a broad range of community programs in order to make theatre more accessible to all Canadians.

More information: theatretraining.ca

À PROPOS DU REGROUPEMENT DES ARTS DE RUE

Founded in 2009, the mission of the RAR is to bring together companies and street artists who practice their art professionally in public space and/or in unconventional venues. It promotes the work of its members from a variety of artistic disciplines and works to support them by launching a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting their advancement. Thanks to RAR, bold, excellent and authentic performing arts for public space receive the support they deserve.

More information: rarduquebec.ca

PHOTOS AND VISUAL ASSETS

Download online.
Please include a photo caption and credits.

PRESS KIT

Online press kit.

CONTACTS MÉDIAS

Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles
Mélanie Mingotaud
Communications Mingotwo
melanie@mingo2.ca
(514) 582-5272

Toxique Trottoir
Maija Warren
Responsable à la diffusion
diffusion@scene-ouverte.com
(514) 721-8588

Conseil des arts de Montréal
Marie-Julie Théoret
Cheffe des communications et de la promotion
(514) 280-0537
marie-julie.theoret@montreal.ca

École nationale de théâtre du Canada
info@monumentnational.com
(514) 871-9883

APPENDIX

CREDITS

Artistic direction and original show concept: Muriel de Zangroniz, with the support of Dominique Marier and Ilya Krouglikov

Direction: Muriel de Zangroniz

Performers: Jeremy Lewis, Frédéric Jeanrie, Félix Tessier Imbault, Fabrice Girard, Camille Loiselle-D’Aragon, Andrea Niño Sarmiento, Marie-Paule Rozon, Dominique B. Marier et Franck Sylvestre

Costumes: Barbara Ménard

Masks: Claude Rodrigue

Music: Frédérick Desroches

Design of vocal parts: Mikhaëlle Salazar and Hélène de Blois

Text: Caroline Barber

Aromatologist: Catherine Beraneck

Presented by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the National Theatre School of Canada and the Regroupement des arts de rue du Québec.