BABULA LAINA- LIFE CHANGING!
BABULA LAINA: Tigouli Productions (Québec)
As soon as Emmanuelle Lizère- aka Tigouli gently greeted us outside the door of the theatre with her profound none verbal vocalizing, I realized she was connecting right to the hearts of our babies, acknowledging each one like an old friend and bam I was moved to tears. In the next breath, she beckons us forth to follow her inside where we are welcomed into a circle of cozy cushions to the sounds of percussionist Patrick Graham awaiting us with his array of instruments and it is here that the conversation truly begins.
Baby speaks, Tigouli answers! Baby grunts and growls, she mirrors! Baby sings and they are accompanied by her cello, vocal harmonies and Patrick’s percussion! And it’s all happening seamlessly within this production exploring the sounds of families of objects where we can also focus on feeling their textures: a bean bag- becomes an accessible instrument in her/our ensemble, ribbons are dancers that swirl and hum, crinkly papers spark fiery play while serenading. Each has their scene and aria inside this song cycle!
It’s hard to choose but a favourite moment was when an ‘older’ baby was intensely enjoying the loud crinkly paper from what seemed like a soft yarn snakelike structure. As their little body fiercely bounced up and down they also pulled the paper louder and louder and Tigouli was right there listening in order to spotlight by responding with similar energy yet focused onto playing her cello and the most memorable and magical duet I could ever imagine occurred!
When I wasn’t weeping, I was reveling in a deep calm, feeling relaxed and peacefully held inside this space. To be even more honest, I had a major meta moment where I was overwhelmed by gratitude after what was a very long journey to have our bebê Julu and then quite a traumatic delivery- I was healing, held safely in this soft, sweet and secure place.
Nearing the end, each baby started speaking up one at a time in an organized babble that continued after the show was over, so much so that no one left.
Afterwards, Emmanuelle was so moved she said she had never before experienced that level of engagement and likened it to being on a precious panel where babies were the keynote speakers.
Artistic Director and curator of the Wee Festival, Lynda Hill, warned me about how special this show would be but what I didn’t expect was how it spoke to me so deeply, almost as if this Tigouli Method of meaningful listening language developed over the last twenty years, was also reaching right into the heart of me as an infant now!
SUZANNE ROBERTS SMITH is a critically acclaimed actor, director, theatre maker and also an artist-educator, percussionista and first time mamãe. You can check out some of her work here. With bebê Julu in tow, Suzanne is currently directing INFLUENCED– a solo bouffon show starring Samantha Chaulk as well as the THEHOUSE OF MAGIC a new play by Chiamaka Glory for Shakespeare in Action’s YOUNG CREATOR’S THEATRE PROJECT. Along side of Maria Clara de Sena and ensemble, a pregnant Suzanne co created ORIXÁS: Alive & Well & Living in TO thanks to the last year’s STROMBERGS FAMILY REALIZATION FUND via NIGHTWOOD THEATRE. This year, they are recipients of several recommender creator grants supporting the continuation and development of this one of a kind world premiere powerhouse piece. Suzanne is grateful to all pioneering parents and theatre companies who insist on creating inclusive accessible artistic spaces where all folx and little ones are most welcome. Here’s to this movement gaining momentum everywhere!