By Mike Rifkin
Children in Ottawa are being invited to take a trip back to the Baroque period with a show this month at the NAC.
“Baroque ‘n’ Roll” is presented by Jeunesses Musicales Canada, a Montreal-based, not-for-profit organization that aims to expose children to classical music.
“Baroque ‘n’ Roll” tells the story of a student who, when going to audition for a musical, is whisked away to the Baroque period in the 18th century. She is met by two musicians who teach her about the culture of the Baroque period through music, dancing and dialogue. She, in turn, teaches them about modern music and culture as she helps them write a musical for their queen.
The show was conceived by the three performers, Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, Sophie Larivière and Matthias Maute and was written and directed by Alex Veilleux.
The three performers had worked on various musical projects together previously. They pitched the show to Jeunesses Musicales Canada, and have toured it around eastern and central Canada since 2000.
Performances have taken them around Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Until now, the show had been performed solely in French. The NAC performance in April will be the first English performance.
“It’s new in English,” says Lacoursière, who plays the student. “We always had some demand for English, but we always said ‘we’re not sure, we’re too busy.’ ”
Lacoursière says the show was created to introduce young people to Baroque culture.
“Since it’s growing in popularity for the public we said it could be interesting for children,” she says.
Larivière, who plays the flute and recorder for the show, says the show is meant to be educational and entertaining.
“The idea was to put something together for kids that was touching on the 18th century but contemporary times too, so it would look appealing for younger ones,” she says. “We wanted to have the contrast. The kids really laugh and they really enjoy the contrast between the two worlds.”
The show relies heavily on the recorder, an instrument that was used prominently in the Baroque period. Lacoursière says the way the recorder is played in “Baroque ‘n’ Roll” is played more professionally than the way students play it at school, something that often impresses the young audiences.
“It’s a period when this instrument was very important,” she says.
“Since they do recorder at school we said it’s a good idea to hear a good recorder player. They’re surprised by the sound of the recorder and what they can play. When we you play 25 recorders in the class you don’t always get what this instrument is all about.”
Lacoursière is trained in Baroque dancing and acting, so in addition to the music, there is also a strong visual element to the show. There are colourful sets, puppetry, masks and lots of Baroque dancing.
“At the dance as well, (the children) are a bit surprised because they learn the dances were written in this period,” says Lacoursière. “They say ‘it looks like ballet but not exactly like ballet.’ ”
“Baroque ‘n’ Roll” also touches on the issue of gender in the Baroque period. For example, Larivière’s character is disguised as a man because women were not allowed to join orchestras during that time period.
“The main idea was we wanted them to see how it was at that time,” says Larivière. “During the period of questions at the end the little boys have questions about that. They have to re-adjust and think that back then that’s the way things were happening.”
Lacoursière says the show involves a lot of audience participation, which means a lot of work for her.
“It’s a show that demands a lot,” she says. “I talk a lot, I move, I dance. I talk to the kids a lot. I have relationship with the kids from the beginning and they help me. It’s great when they’re there and attentive and we can exchange like that.”
Larivière agrees that interaction with children in the audience is important to the show.
“With kids the interaction is so different,” she says.
“They don’t behave like adults. They laugh. Sometimes we play (in venues other than schools) so there’s lot of parents there, asking kids not to make too much noise and we miss it. That’s one thing that we really enjoy.”
Although the show was originally conceived for children, Lacoursière says the parents and teachers who bring their kids usually have a good time too.
“A lot of things are funny for the adults,” she says. “It’s not boring. They learn stuff.”
There will be one English and one French presentation on April 17 at the NAC. The English performance is at 1:30 p.m., followed by the French performance at 3 p.m. For tickets call Ticketmaster or the NAC box office.