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Me-Klo an evening with le groupe Bassan November 7-19, 1995 |
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Me-Klô (My Village): Expérience Bassan!
Two week run: November 7 to 19, 1995
Tuesday to Sunday, doors open 7:30, show at 8, dinner at 9
The hit of Artword's Festival of
the Human Voice, back for a two-week run. Bassan, a group of four
dynamic performers from Africa's Ivory Coast (Yolande Séry,
Justine Gogoa, Emmanuel Douho, Jean-Paul Ako Béché)
presents a festival of theatre, singing, drumming, for the
family.
Performed
in French, Ivory Coast dialect, and some English (with mime that is
easy to understand!). Plus an exhibition of African crafts and a
traditional African village dinner, all prepared by Bassan!
The
evening has in three parts:
1) a theatre performance,
2) a traditional African village dinner,
3) an exhibition of African clothing and crafts -- all prepared by
Bassan.
The
theatre component includes: Tidéco (the Termite House),
les Siamois (The Twins), et Souffle de la terre (The
Earth's Breath).
Bassan's
theatre is a stunning mix of mime, clown, four-part harmony singing,
drumming, and dancing. Drawing on the traditions of their Ivory Coast
culture, the group taps into the essence of theatre as an exciting
and universal communication.
Bassan
performs in French and Ivory Coast dialect, with a little English,
but their vigorous and captivating shows can be understood by
everyone.
Bassan
appeared in Artword's Festival of the Human Voice in May, thrilling
audiences and selling out. They also appeared at Tarragon Theatre's
weekend theatre festival last spring. Artword Theatre is delighted to
provide a wider opportunity for Bassan to show what they can do.
Background on the group Bassan:
The word "Bassan'' means "broom" in the
Ivory Coast dialect. It is a symbol of unity, a whole made out of
many strands.
The
four performers, two women (Dapéa Sery Yolande and
Djoléi Gogoua) and two men (Béché Ako and
Gnéon Douho), deliver a high-energy performance of songs,
dance, drumming and theatrical storytelling. The songs and stories
are their own composition. They draw on the traditions of Ivory Coast
culture to create a universal art form.
Founded
in 1987, Bassan has performed in Africa, England, Europe and North
America at numerous music, theatre, and puppetry festivals. The group
Bassan is now based in Toronto.
The
four members of Bassan began their careers as entertainers in
Abidjan, the capital city of the Ivory Coast. Then they emigrated to
Europe and performed widely though Europe and on several tours to
North America. They were also members of Ki-Yi, a pan-African group
of performers that toured internationally.
