HISTORY
Tant per Tant is an international theatre company that has experienced tremendous growth during the past few years. Founded by translators Elisabet Ràfols and Marta Marín, the company was created in 2005. Since then, Elisabet’s passionate commitment to the spoken word and to the exchange of Catalan and Canadian artistic voices has been the driving force behind the company’s success.
When Artistic Director Tom Bentley-Fisher began collaborating with Elisabet in the fall of 2007, their artistic partnership created an overwhelming scope of artistic opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. The company’s mandate grew to include development, education, production, and co-production. During the past three years, Elisabet and Tom have spent extended periods of time in Barcelona discovering new playwrights, teaching master classes, translating, arranging for exchanges, and directing productions.
Resident designer and translator Michael Bantjes has also played a key role in the company’s success. Joining the artistic team this year is Kim Searle, who is heading up the education wing of the theatre and acting as assistant artistic director.
Tant per Tant is incorporated as a non-profit organization. The company is grateful for the incredible support of the arts funding agencies, their corporate sponsors, their partnerships with development centres and theatres, and for its loyal and active audience.
The following is a brief outline of the company’s projects.
2005:
Jocs de paciència, by Québecois playwright Abla Fahroud. translated into Catalan by Elisabet Ràfols. Produced by Q-Ars Teatre, Espai escènic Brossa, Barcelona.
2006:
The Shop Window by Victoria Szpunberg, translated from Catalan by Marta Marín and Colman Hogan. Staged reading in Toronto.
16,000 Pessetes by Manel Veiga, translated from Catalan by Elisabet Ràfols and Susan Bond. Staged readings in Toronto and Saskatoon.
2007:
Humanity and No by Manuel de Pedrolo, translated by Elisabet Ràfols and Susan Bond. Premiered at Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon.
Oooo! (English) and Ouuh! (French) - translation of the Gerard Vázquez play into English, by Elisabet Ràfols and Michael Bantjes and French by Danielle Henripin. Development week and staged readings in Montreal and Saskatoon.
The Portrait Painter by Gerard Vàzquez and Jordi Barra - translation by Elisabet and Susan Bond. Staged reading in Saskatoon.
Catalan Connection 2007- First annual Catalan Connection Event. Included readings and exchange of French and English Canadian, and Catalan literature and drama.
2008:
Master classes for Actors - Sala Beckett Theatre Institute, Barcelona, conducted by Tom Bentley-Fisher, with Elisabet Ràfols.
Oooo! by Gerard Vàzquez, translated by Elisabet Ràfols and Michael Bantjes. English premiere at SideMart Theatre Grocery (Montreal).
Catalan Connection 2008 – The weeklong event of literary exchange included a full workshop production of Vindication of Senyora Clito Mestres by Montserrat Roig, translated by Elisabet Ràfols and Anne Szumigalski, directed by Tom Bentley-Fisher.
2009:
Ilíada, produced by Barcelona’s Q-Ars Teatre and presented at the prestigious International Grec Festival of Barcelona. The all-female production based on The Iliad was created and directed by Tom Bentley-Fisher, dramaturged by Elisabet Ràfols, and continued to play in other venues during the Catalan theatre season.
Master classes for Actors - Q-Ars Teatre, Barcelona, conducted by Tom Bentley-Fisher, with Elisabet Ràfols.
Catalan Connection 2009 – included three staged readings of Catalan plays in English, a literary evening of exchange between English and French Canadian and Catalan literature, and the translation and workshop production of Temptation by Carles Batlle.
2010:
Ilíada (Q-Ars Teatre-Tant per Tant), translated from Catalan to Spanish and remounted as part of the Festival de Teatro Clásico in Mérida, Spain. The production was performed in Teatre Romano, built in the first century BC and designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Master classes for Actors – Arlequí Dance and Movement Centre, Banyoles, Catalonia. Ongoing classes in Saskatoon.
Catalan Connection 2010, Canadian Tour - Three Catalan playwrights (Pau Miró, Marta Buchaca, Pere Riera), come to Saskatoon, Vancouver and Montreal to attend and participate in public staged readings of the English translation of their plays. The events included a round-table discussion of international Catalan, English and French Canadian work, development of the translations in association with other national development centres, and an evening celebrating international exchange. The events took place during November and early December and included hiring over fifty professional artists across the country.