and Iwona Luszowicz (centre). (Photo: @Camila França photography)
I work with playwrights from across the French-speaking world to bring their plays to the UK stage.
My story as a theatremaker began in 2018, when I was selected for the Foreign Affairs Theatre Translator Mentorship programme, and translated my first play. Since then, I have worked with writers from Quebec, France and Switzerland, selecting pieces about identity and belonging, social justice and diversity, with a particular focus on young audiences.
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)
The Sleepwalkers – Les Somnambules by Marc-Antoine Cyr (2023)
The Friend – L’Ami (de mon ami) by Emanuelle Delle Piane (2019)
Awards
Brotherlands shortlisted for the ALTA 2023 Plays in Translation Contest
This Last Piece of Sky shortlisted for the ALTA 2022 Plays in Translation Contest
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
Extract from Where I Call Home
and Translator’s Note
Asymptote Journal, January 2022
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
Charis Ainslie 