Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
SaBooge Theatre
SaBooge Theatre was a Montreal and Brooklyn-based international ensemble of North American and European artists brought together by their training at the Ecole Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris in 1999. It was dedicated to the creation of innovative and thought-provoking physical theatre that was visually striking and movement-based in its approach. Hence the name "SaBooge," an approximation of a French expression, “ca bouge" meaning “it moves." The use of live music, foley effects and original sound design were also an essential part of SaBooge’s work.
SaBooge was multicultural in its makeup, with core members from the US, Canada and the UK, as well as artistic collaborators from the Czech Republic, Ireland, France and Spain. The nature of SaBooge’s work mirrored the cultural diversity upon which the company was founded.
Drawing inspiration from existing literary and historical sources from outside and within the ensemble, SaBooge conceived compelling and highly visual narratives that sought the revelation of humanity in the grotesque and the extraordinary -- the outsider, the outcast, the untouchable. Using these unexpected protagonists as a springboard, SaBooge worked outwardly in developing fantastical stories -- somewhat warped in their perspective -- infused with pathos and humour. SaBooge created six original shows that toured from Montreal to New York to Dublin.
in 2007, SaBooge completed a five city, three country tour of its adaptation of Michael Ondaatje’s The Collected Works of Billy the Kid entitled Every Day Above Ground that culminated at New York’s renowned avant-garde house P.S 122 in February 2007.
In October 2007 in Montreal, SaBooge was again Centaur Theatre’s “Brave New Works” artists-in-residence with a new work entitled Speak Easy. The company also toured its multi-award winning 2004 piece Fathom, written by Company member Jodi Essery, and published in Canadian Theatre Review 131. The story of a young convict in a transport ship en route to Australia, it was inspired by Robert Hughes’ epic history of Australia's founding, The Fatal Shore, Timberlake Wertenbaker’s play Our Country’s Good, and the evolutionary ideas of Charles Darwin.
The Canadian Artistic Director was Andrew Shaver. The American Artistic Director was Adrienne Kapstein. The Company dissolved in May 2015.
Further Reading: Craig Walker. "Staging the Impossible: SaBooge Theatre," Canadian Theatre Review 135 (Summer 2008).
Last updated 2021-09-22
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