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Comics & Graphic Novels Literary

The Blue Dragon

by (author) Robert Lepage & Marie Michaud

illustrated by Fred Jourdain

Publisher
House of Anansi Press Inc
Initial publish date
Nov 2011
Category
Literary, General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781770890374
    Publish Date
    Nov 2011
    List Price
    $19.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

In this stunning graphic-novel adaptation of Robert Lepage and Marie Michaud’s play, the personal meets the political, East meets West, and old meets new. Claire, a Quebecoise art dealer, arrives in China to adopt a little girl. There she visits her ex-husband, Pierre, who after fifteen years in China has begun to question the new directions his adopted country is going in. Claire and Pierre’s lover, the young Chinese artist Xiao Ling, become fast friends. Through this classic love triangle, The Blue Dragon examines aging, cultural confusion, fertility, and creativity, and emerges as a fascinating examination of some of modern China’s most intriguing paradoxes.

Fred Jourdain’s gorgeous, colourful, and cinematic drawings do full justice to the story’s genesis as one of Robert Lepage’s most dazzling theatrical constructions. A feast for the mind as well as the senses, The Blue Dragon is an extraordinary graphic novel for grownups.

About the authors

Hailed by international critics, Robert Lepage's original, contemporary, and unusual works, inspired by recent history, transcend borders and challenge the standards of scenic writing, particularly through the use of new technologies.

The year 1994 marks an important step in his career: he founds Ex Machina, a multidisciplinary creation company of which he is the artistic director. Also under his leadership, the multidisciplinary production center, La Caserne, is created in June 1997, in Quebec City. This last creative space sees the birth of almost all of Ex Machina’s productions until 2019.

Robert Lepage’s visionary side and will to create led him to promote and implement the construction of Le Diamant theatre in the heart of Quebec City. Inaugurated in August 2019, this new and unique cultural venue is intended to be an anchor point for the public, emerging artists and creators from all horizons.

His most significant works include, the plays, The Seven Streams of the River Ota and The Dragons’ Trilogy; his solos, The Far Side of the Moon and 887; the operas, The Damnation of Faust and Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen cycle; his multimedia works, The Image Mill and The Library at Night; Peter Gabriel’s shows, The Secret World Tour and The Growing Up Tour; and with Cirque du Soleil, and TOTEM.

Robert Lepage's profile page

Marie Michaud is a leading Quebecoise theatre actress. She has performed over fifty roles with top directors including Robert Lepage and Denis Marleau. She is currently starring in the role of Claire Forest in the theatrical version of The Blue Dragon, which she co-wrote with Robert Lepage.

Marie Michaud's profile page

Fred Jourdain is an artist and designer, best known for his portraits of great jazz, rock, and film figures. His work is currently on display at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.

Fred Jourdain's profile page

Editorial Reviews

Packed with raw emotionality and beautifully rendered artwork that captures the culture and landscape perfectly, The Blue Dragon transfers from the stage to the graphic-novel page very well. It’s a marvelously done book.

Graphic Novel Reporter

...natural...fluid, vivid illustrations...

Quill & Quire

Using a variety of artistic techniques, from ink drawings to watercolour paintings, Jourdain fleshes out the world around Lepage and Michaud’s script...

Globe and Mail

...stunning...innovative...more art than graphic novel...The Blue Dragon may be the stroke of genius to win over the reluctant adult who still sees the graphic novel as strictly for kids...this little gem may soon become a collector’s item.

Rover Arts

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