This magical story is the great-grandpère of voyageur folktales. A solo retelling can involve a participatory audience on the fly, or we can rehearse a group of interpreters for a full cast performance of improvisational interp theatre. The script (English only, so far) is just the starting point for a wild ride from your site to Old Montreal and back again.
"I have drinking songs for mesdames and love songs for messieurs. Anglais ou français, c'est a vous--you choose!" Lisette strolls the tables at a feast or festival, leading guests in traditional chansons à répondre and pub songs. After dinner, the audience is invited to join in a Paddle Dance and other simple dances popular in the period. If musicians and dancers are available, Lynn can call contra and English country dances and provide a turlutte (mouth music) challenge to local stepdancers.
C'est l'aviron qui nous mène, qui nous mène! Learn to feel the rhythm of French and Gaelic work songs in your arms and back, changing tempo from whitewater to flatwater and choosing meter for a paddle vs. an oar. For sites with boating programs, we can take these French and Scots songs out on the water in the working boats where they belong, to feel how a good gouvernail or chanteyman kept the boat trim and on course with a song. Organize a canoe parade for your river festival, or prepare a singing brigade with a voyageur's salute to stage your arrival ceremony with panache!