Frame by Frame
Robert Lepage and Guillaume Côté
Frame by Frame
Robert Lepage and Guillaume Côté
Please Note: Strobe-like lighting effects are used in several scenes in this production.
A truly multi-disciplinary experience, Frame by Frame sees legendary theatre director Robert Lepage collaborating with choreographer Guillaume Côté in an exceptional work that explores the life of Canadian filmmaker Norman McLaren, whose pioneering advancements in animation led to a prolific career with the National Film Board of Canada and influenced filmmakers worldwide. Frame by Frame brings McLaren’s films to life with a riveting mix of dance and technology, including live camera work, interspersed with footage from his ground-breaking films.
Read: The Art of Frame by Frame
Read: The Life and Works of Norman McLaren
Guillaume Côté joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1998. He became a Principal Dancer in 2004 and was appointed Choreographic Associate in 2013. His choreographic works include Fractals, Being and Nothingness and Le Petit Prince, his first full-length ballet. Côté is also Artistic Director of the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur.
Robert Lepage is one of Canada’s most versatile and esteemed theatre artists. His original approach to theatre has won him international acclaim, particularly for his use of new technologies. He is the recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement and was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Antoine Bédard is a Canadian musician specializing in electronic music, which he records under the name Montag. He has released several albums, toured internationally and collaborated with theatre directors and choreographers such as Robert Lepage, Chris Abraham and Dana Michel.
“Guillaume Côté and Robert Lepage have succeeded in creating an exceptional work for The National Ballet of Canada rich in its choreographic voice and profound in showcasing McLaren’s personal passions for dance, his relationships with his collaborators and the love of his life, Guy Glover.” – Chroniques de Danse
“Haunting beauty… an example of how film and dance can blend on stage in a magically fruitful way it is an altogether remarkable piece of work.” – Dancing Times
“Frame by Frame is a work of genius… a tour-de-force of astonishment… one of the greatest ballets ever made in Canada/fait au Canada. It is a masterpiece.” – Ludwig van Toronto.com
Norman McLaren
Jack Bertinshaw (June 2, 3, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm/ June 11 at 2:00 pm)
Spencer Hack* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 9 at 7:30 pm)
Guy Glover
Alexander Skinner* (June 2, 3, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm/ June 11 at 2:00 pm)
Josh Hall* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 9 at 7:30 pm)
Grant Munroe
Albjon Gjorllaku* (June 2, 3, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm/ June 11 at 2:00 pm)
Jason Ferro* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 9 at 7:30 pm)
John Grierson
Trygve Cumpston* (June 2, 3, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm/ June 11 at 2:00 pm)
Teagan Richman-Taylor* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 9 at 7:30 pm)
Oscar Peterson
Wellesley Robertson†
Evelyn Lambart
Hannah Galway* (June 2, 3, 7, 10 at 7:30 pm)
Jeannine Haller* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 9 at 7:30 pm)
Tirion Law* (June 8 at 7:30 pm/ 11 at 2:00 pm)
Maurice Blackburn
Harrison James (June 2, 7, 10 at 7:30 pm)
Ben Rudisin* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 3, 9 at 7:30 pm)
Larkin Miller* (June 8 at 7:30 pm/ 11 at 2:00 pm)
Rene Jodoin
Noah Parets* (June 2, 3, 7, 10 at 7:30 pm)
Isaac Wright* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 9 at 7:30 pm)
Josh Hall* (June 8 at 7:30 pm/ 11 at 2:00 pm)
Ludmilla Chiriaeff
Chelsy Meiss* (June 2, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm/ June 11 at 2:00 pm)
Selene Guerrero-Trujillo* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 3, 9 at 7:30 pm)
Margaret Mercier
Alexandra MacDonald* (June 2, 3, 7, 10 at 7:30 pm)
Tanya Howard* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 9 at 7:30 pm)
Genevieve Penn Nabity* (June 8 at 7:30 pm/ 11 at 2:00 pm)
Vincent Warren
Harrison James (June 2, 7, 10 at 7:30 pm)
Ben Rudisin* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 3, 9 at 7:30 pm)
Larkin Miller* (June 8 at 7:30 pm/ 11 at 2:00 pm)
Anna-Marie Holmes
Calley Skalnik* (June 2, 3, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm/ June 11 at 2:00 pm)
Brenna Flaherty* (June 3, 4 at 2:00 pm/ June 9 at 7:30 pm)
*Debut
†Guest Artist
Casting subject to change.
Director:
Robert Lepage
Choreography:
Guillaume Côté
Creative Direction and Design:
Steve Blanchet
Assistant Director:
Adèle Saint-Amand
Music and Sound Design:
Antoine Bédard
Set Design:
Christian Fontaine
Costume Design:
Michael Gianfrancesco
Lighting Design:
Étienne Boucher
Image Projection Concept Design:
Laurie Shawn Borzovoy
Video Design:
Thomas Payette / Mirari
Props Design:
Claudia Gendreau
World Premiere: The National Ballet of Canada, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, June 1, 2018
Frame by Frame is a collaboration between The National Ballet of Canada, Ex Machina and the National Film Board of Canada.
Co-produced by Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, UK.
Lead philanthropic support for Frame by Frame is generously provided by The Walter Carsen New Creations Fund, with additional support from First Plazas Inc. in memory of Avie Bennett, The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, The Hal Jackman Foundation and The Producers’ Circle.
The 2023 restaging of Frame by Frame is generously supported by Valerie and Hunter Thompson in honour of Kiki Delaney.
The Producers’ Circle (2018): Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin Garland & Roger Garland, C.M., Emmanuelle Gattuso, C.M. and Allan Slaight, C.M., Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, Hal Jackman Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Judith & Robert Lawrie, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Jerry Lozinski, O.C. & Joan Lozinski, O.C., The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado, C.M. & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., Q.C., Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan, Sandra Simpson and Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont.
The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following:
Masks are recommended but optional at The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
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The National Ballet invites you to attend the Ballet Talk 45 minutes before every performance in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.