Much has happened in the past two years regarding the presentation of circus shows in Quebec, says Nadia Drouin, interim Executive Director of the En Piste organization.
“The pandemic happened. It brought back many artists who had gone abroad. Many of them decided to create, taking that time to reflect on a more personal practice… Many collectives were born from this return to roots. We are now seeing the fruits of this emerge…” comments Nadia Drouin.
This thriving activity coincides with a support measure for the dissemination of circus arts. This measure is in its second year of existence.
“This support measure helps presenters who are willing to take the risk of showcasing circus arts,” she notes, emphasizing that the number of circus performances has increased in Quebec.
With the Destination Cirque program, En Piste asks presenters to commit for two years to present a minimum of two different circus shows per year. The program has just been renewed for two years. Currently, 37 presenters have committed.
“All of this increases the presence of circus arts. The collectives that have emerged are finding audiences. It’s like an alignment of the stars. The circus constellation is coming together more strongly,” notes Ms. Drouin.
Summer remains a highlight for this art form, with a wide range of events, both in the metropolis, the Bas-Saint-Laurent region… and in the Magdalen Islands archipelago. “All of this helps put circus arts back on the map.”
Subscribe to Circus Arts
The Cultural Centre of the University of Sherbrooke (CCUS) is among the Quebec venues that give pride of place to circus arts. A subscription was created specifically for this segment several years ago. It was created under the leadership of Mario Trépanier, former Executive Director of the CCUS… and a fervent admirer of this art form. Cirque Éloize has also often performed at the Sherbrooke venue.
“The first city to trust us was Sherbrooke,” recalls Cirque Éloize founder, Jeannot Painchaud.
Nadia Drouin, for her part, believes that the next circus hub could emerge in Sherbrooke, where there are “strong proponents of circus arts.”
Despite this growing interest in circus arts, Mario Trépanier and Nadia Drouin believe that much public awareness still needs to be raised.
This art form is very ancient and very popular worldwide, observes Mario Trépanier. With the arrival of Cirque du Soleil, contemporary circus and a new way of approaching circus arts were discovered, he puts into perspective.
“We still have a long way to go in Quebec for the dissemination of contemporary circus. Many cities have started presenting it in recent years, but it is still fragile compared to other art forms like song, theater, contemporary dance… Circus arts are currently finding their place in presentation circuits.”
He qualifies this by reminding that venues can face technical challenges in hosting this type of show, which requires specific infrastructure for production needs and artist safety.
“Over time, we are starting to see lighter forms of circus, requiring less technical infrastructure.”
Not Just for Young People
Many mistakenly believe that this art form is primarily intended for a youth audience. However, circus can be highly diverse, recalls Mario Trépanier, who was at the helm of the CCUS between 2008 and 2022.
“I think there is still work to be done to introduce an adult audience to adult offerings.”
In his view, Quebec circus “is well positioned” in terms of creation, production, and artist training.
“There has been rapid development over the past twenty years, and the more years pass, the more it develops. It’s even exponential.”
Circus is part of our collective unconscious, notes Ms. Drouin, recalling the presence of clowns and strongmen. However, it has evolved significantly.
“Today, we are definitely in a different place,” she says, notably citing the troupes Flip Fabrique, Alphonse, Les 7 Doigts de la main, Éloize…
“It’s a great challenge. We can say that we are of this generation that has tried to introduce something different…” observes Ms. Drouin.
Today, circus arts in Quebec are known beyond our borders, adds Mario Trépanier.
While challenges remain, there are nevertheless significant achievements, he also points out.