The Four Horsemen Project

In Toronto, February 15 - March 4, 2007
In Ottawa, March 13 - April 1, 2007

Conceived and Co-directed by Kate Alton and Ross Manson
Based on the poetry of The Four Horsemen: Rafael Barreto-Rivera, Paul Dutton, Steve McCaffery and bpNichol
Animation by Bruce Alcock and Global Mechanic
Musical Direction by John Millard
Dramaturgy by Ross Manson
Lighting Design by Itai Erdal

Starring Jennifer Dahl, Graham McKelvie, Naoko Murakoshi and Andrea Nann

Five years in the making, The Four Horsemen Project is a multi-disciplinary extravaganza conceived and co-directed by Toronto's dance-theatre dynamic duo, Ross Manson and Kate Alton, in collaboration with Vancouver animation studio Global Mechanic. Live, on-stage, swirling animation and sonic hi-jinx make the poetry of Canada's 1970s avant-garde scene leap off the page and onto the stage.

The show is based on the work of Toronto's original Four Horsemen: Rafael Barreto-Rivera, Paul Dutton, Steve McCaffery and bpNichol. Their outrageously fun sonic poetry is brought to life by a stellar cast of performers, who surprise with their combination of physical and vocal virtuosity: Jennifer Dahl, Graham McKelvie, Naoko Murakoshi and Andrea Nann.  Animation Director Bruce Alcock (TIFF, Venice Bienale) sets the visual poetry of bpNichol and the Horsemen to motion. Archival footage from the 1970s is similarly woven into the show. Work-in-progress showings of the material have received tremendous acclaim.

The Four Horsemen Project uses the philosophical goal of the early sound poets themselves as its structural spine: the idea that poetry is far more than words on a page; poetry encompasses sound, breath and the human body. With this remarkable collaboration, a new generation of artists breathes life into some nearly-forgotten work - iconoclastic, brilliant, delightfully irreverent – work that set the whole world on its ear.
"The Four Horsemen Project, a reworking of a 1970's piece by Canadian sound poetry ensemble the Four Horsemen, is hilarious and brilliantly performed" eye weekly

Toronto Season
Produced by Volcano in association with Factory Theatre, Crooked Figure Dances, and Global Mechanic

February 15-Mar 4, 2007
Opening February 21
Factory Mainspace Theatre

Click here to book for the Toronto season online

Ottawa season
Presented by Great Canadian Theatre Company, produced by Volcano in association with Crooked Figure Dances, and Global Mechanic

Download the The Four Horsemen Project Media Release

Ottawa season
Presented by Great Canadian Theatre Company, produced by Volcano in association with Crooked Figure Dances, and Global Mechanic

March 13 - April 1, 2007, Opens March 15

Click here for the GCTC Box Office

PHOTO: Naoko Murakoshi, Graham McKelvie, Andrea Nann and Jennifer Dahl. Photo by John Lauener.

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