theatre translation
I have been translating for the theatre for several years, working with two contemporary playwrights. My first translated play, Gens du pays by Marc-Antoine Cyr (titled Where I Call Home in English) was produced in November 2021.
The story began in 2018, when I was selected for the Foreign Affairs Theatre Translator Mentorship programme, and began work on the play. Following the programme, I continued to work with Marc-Antoine and also embarked on a collaboration with French writer Kevin Keiss.
With Santiago Godoy-Giraldo (left) and Iwona Luszowicz (centre), participants in the 2018-19 Foreign Affairs Theatre Translator Mentorship programme.
Photo: Camila França Photography
THEATRE TRANSLATIONS
Where I Call Home – Gens du pays by Marc-Antoine Cyr (2017)
Brotherlands – Fratrie by Marc-Antoine Cyr (2012)
This Last Piece of Sky – Ce qui nous reste du ciel by Kevin Keiss (2019)
Cross My Heart – Je vous jure que je peux le faire by Kevin Keiss (2018/19)
THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
Where I Call Home
World Premiere: Foreign Affairs theatre, November 2021
Where I Call Home played at the Rose Lipman Building in east London from 23-27 November 2021.
Photos: Tim Morozzo
This Last Piece of Sky
UK premiere: the Space, London, May 2022
This Last Piece of Sky played at the Space in London from 17-21 May 2022
Photos: @Jakebbbush
THEATRE TALKS AND ARTICLES
Writers and Translators Working Side by Side
With Marc-Antoine Cyr and Caridad Svich, hosted by Daniel Hahn. August 2020
In conversation with Marc-Antoine Cyr
Playwright Marc-Antoine Cyr and translator Charis Ainslie come together (on Zoom) to talk about their work in the run up to the world premiere of Where I Call Home (Gens du pays).
Where I Call Home played at the Rose Lipman Building in east London from 23-27 November 2021.
Where I Call Home: translating Gens du pays
Foreign Affairs, reprinted in Theatre Times, 14 November 2021
Space Chats: This Last Piece of Sky
Adam Hemming, Artistic Director of the Space, chats to theatre translator Charis Ainslie from the creative team behind This Last Piece Of Sky about the subtleties of translating for the stage and telling fantastical stories.
Interview: From France. With Love
Translator Charis Ainslie and Director Sibylla Archdale Kalid on This Last Piece of Sky
