A podcast, a collaboration with the Planetarium, immersive event projects, a research center in the Magdalen Islands, and yes, a touring show, the first in three years, and a collaboration with Montréal Complètement cirque in the summer. The continuation of Éloize’s activities will take place under the sign of diversification.
No longer a question of betting solely on creative shows, whether corporate events or touring shows, says the general and artistic director of Éloize, Jeannot Painchaud.
The co-founder of the company, who is celebrating his 30th year at the helm of Éloize this year, had already begun to diversify his activities during the pandemic, in particular with the presentation of the immersive exhibition Under the ice with Mario Cyr (in 2021).
The unveiling of the activities for this anniversary year only confirms this shift.
The show Between sky and seacreated in the summer of 2022 in the Magdalen Islands, will be Éloize’s only touring show (for the moment).
It will be presented again there from July 12 to August 13 in the new theater (La Seine) acquired by Éloize – the old church of Havre-Aubert – before hitting the road.
It will notably be presented at the Capitole de Québec from October 4 to 7 and at Place des Arts in Montreal from November 16 to 18. An excerpt with Madelinot storyteller Cédric Landry and wheel specialist Cyr Clea Perion was presented to the media on Wednesday.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Jeannot Painchaud, general and artistic director of Cirque Éloize
Over the next few years, Éloize could present “one or two more touring shows, but no more”. On the other hand, there will be creations “for specific destinations” and also “collaborations”, detailed Jeannot Painchaud.
The fact remains that for the most part, Éloize intends to devote its energies to creating immersive events in its studios at Dalhousie station, in Old Montreal, and to participate in major events (here or abroad ), be it sports ceremonies (as in Kuwait), theme parks, destination cities or exhibitions.
A collaboration with the Planetarium
Éloize announced its collaboration with the Planetarium for the creation of an exhibition entitled Red 2100, “a sensory and poetic adventure on the planet Mars”. The contribution of women to science will also be discussed. Aerospace engineer Farah Alibay is one of the project’s consultants.
A podcast series centered on the Dalhousie station – built in 1886 – is also part of the novelties announced by Éloize. Have a good trip, a fictional podcast, was conceived by historian Martin Landry and written by playwright Michel Marc Bouchard. The series of 4 20-minute episodes will be broadcast by OHdio (Radio-Canada) starting May 17.
La Seine, this new performance hall in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, will undergo major renovations, so as to accommodate 450 people, and will be integrated, with the former neighboring school (also acquired by Éloize), into a project of cultural and tourist space called Au Pied des Demoiselles.
This space will serve as a research and creation center for artists in the winter, but will also be able to welcome tourists during the summer.
A restaurant and a community hall will be set up there. Mario Cyr will give lectures there in July and August where he will talk about his trips to the Arctic.
Finally, Éloize plans to collaborate on a creative show presented at the Montréal Complètement cirque festival in the summer. Details will be revealed in May.
As for the cabaret show Celestial, in residence at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel during the pandemic, her journey ended last August after seven months, but discussions with The Queen Elizabeth are underway to explore other avenues of collaboration. It is also, according to Éloize’s management, an excellent “visiting card” for the company’s projects.