January 26, 2006 -

Ottawa, Ontario -- Running in the aisles, jumping on the desks—what a zoo! DynamO Théâtre, the acclaimed Montreal-based acrobatic movement theatre, is coming to the National Arts Centre (NAC) on February 4 and 5 with its 14th original production, moi moi moi … (me me me . . .). Directed by co-artistic director Robert Dion, the company’s actor-acrobats bring their trademark humour and playfulness (remember Mur-Mur/The Wall?) to Lise Vaillancourt’s sensitive script in this light-hearted look at a serious subject: rejection.

“DynamO Théâtre manages to get their message across without preaching, relying instead on the clear-headed power of fantasy. . . . Allusion and suggestion are the keys to their art, poetry and metaphor its wings. . . . This furiously theatrical show, rich and varied in references of all kinds, conveys its meaning instantly.” – Jean St-Hilaire, Le Soleil (Quebec)

The misfortunes of Mathilde
The day begins as usual, with the children arriving at school. The janitor has already cleaned the classroom and added his own special touch to make it welcoming. Long-time friends Anatole, Mathilde, Suzanna and Ferdinand rush into the classroom and waste no time in turning it joyfully upside down. The teacher’s arrival channels the overflow of energy, and young minds now turn to a class assignment. Hands go up and pupils jump from their seats, eager to give THE answer. Mathilde’s enthusiasm as she yells “me, me, me!”, along with the prize she wins for giving the right answer, trigger resentment in the other students. At the end of the day, the janitor comes in to tidy up and discovers what has happened. On the playground or in class, Mathilde now seems like an outsider. Whatever she does to try to fit in, the others ignore her; even her best friend seems to have abandoned her. What is Mathilde to do?

moi moi moi ...
Written by Lise Vaillancourt / Directed by Robert Dion
Performed by Mariflore Beaudin-Véronneau, Richard Fréchette, Rémi Jacques, Andréanne Joubert and Frédéric Nadeau
Set design: Anick La Bissonnière / Composer: Frédéric Desager
Costumes and props: Marie-Soleil Lavoie / Lighting: Sonoyo Nishikawa

Produced by DynamO Théâtre (Montreal, Quebec)

Saturday, February 4 at 13:30
and Sunday, February 5 at 13:30 and 15:30
in the NAC Studio

Tickets $11.50 (children and adults)
Available in person at the NAC Box Office (53 Elgin Street, Ottawa), through Ticketmaster (all outlets or by ‘phone at 613 755 1111), and online at www.nac-cna.ca

DynamO Théâtre, specialists in Theatre of Acrobatic Movement
DynamO Théâtre was founded in 1981 by a group of Montreal artists from various backgrounds (gymnastics, theatre, juggling and mime) who wanted to combine theatre and acrobatics in a whole new form: Theatre of Acrobatic Movement. The creation in 1987 of Mur-Mur/The Wall—their first true Theatre of Acrobatic Movement production—was a pivotal moment: the show was an instant hit and prompted the company to develop its ideas even further.

Guided by co-artistic directors Robert Dion and Jacqueline Gosselin, DynamO Théâtre expands the scope and meaning of Theatre of Acrobatic Movement with each new show, exploring anew the interaction between movement, language, lighting, music and staging. The company’s original repertoire includes Déséquilibre—Le Défi/The Challenge (1991), Lili (2000), moi moi moi …/ me me me . . .  (2003), and Faux Départs/Misstart (2004).

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Information:
Guy Warin, Communications & Media Relations Officer
French Theatre – Canada’s National Arts Centre
(613) 947-7000 or 1 866 850-2787, ext. 759
gwarin@nac-cna.ca