OVERVIEW OF MUST-SEE CIRCUS SHOWS, JANUARY TO MAY 2024

Montreal, December 15, 2023 — En Piste, the national association for circus arts, invites you to discover the circus gems that will light up the artistic stages of the Montreal region and the Capitale-Nationale, from January to May 2024. Whether you are simply curious or completely addicted to the world of circus, answer the vibrant call of artists who invite you to unique and authentic experiences, combining their practice with theatre, dance, and visual arts.

On Les 7 Doigts’ Program
In Montreal, the international capital of circus, Les 7 doigts de la main will present performances of Pub royal until January 7, at Place des Arts. This anti-musical comedy, developed from the repertoire of Les Cowboys Fringants, brings together seven actor-singers, as many dancers, and six acrobats on stage, under the direction of Sébastien Soldevila. Also with Les 7 doigts de la main, RIOPELLE Grandeur Nature, a creation by Samuel Tétreault, will offer the public an immersive experience. Transformed into an image box for the event, the company’s studio will be filled with iconic or lesser-known works by the great Quebec painter Jean Paul Riopelle, whose centenary was celebrated this year. Not to be missed from February 13 to March 10.

At TOHU and Le Diamant
TOHU will host two foreign troupes in Montreal: the Australian contemporary circus company, Gravity & Other Myths, which achieved resounding success with The Pulse during Montréal Complètement Cirque last July, and the French company Le Plus Petit Cirque du Monde, under the direction of Gaétan Lévesque. The former will present The Mirror, from February 21 to March 3, a work on the concept of entertainment, blending acrobatics, dance, cameras, and selfie sticks. Le Plus Petit Cirque du Monde will, for its part, offer the show Esquive in which six performers will pay tribute to the art of trampoline. To be seen from April 24 to 28.

Another anticipated show on TOHU’s program is Slam, a first collaboration between Ex-Machina and FLIP Fabrique. The two companies will make a spectacular entry into the world of wrestling, merging their respective disciplines in a decisive match, orchestrated by director Robert Lepage. Slam will premiere at Le Diamant in Quebec City, from March 5 to 9, then at TOHU from March 19 to April 1^st.

The Mirror by Gravity & Other Myths and Esquive by Le Plus Petit Cirque du Monde are also on the program at Le Diamant in Quebec City.

Circus Cabarets at Le Monastère and Le Plaza
In the splendid sanctuary of Centre St-Jax, Le Monastère offers short, pure circus performances as part of cabaret evenings, starting March 8 and continuing for three consecutive weeks. Another activity from Le Monastère to watch out for, at L’Annexe 1439: the Circus Open Stage, which allows artists to present their new acts to the public, on February 22 and May 16.

The festive and wild annual benefit cabaret by Productions Carmagnole invites the public to come in costume, at Le Plaza, on March 9.

At the Mont-Royal Arena
After several performances in Sweden, Le Patin Libre returns to Montreal with Murmuration, which brings together about fifteen skaters from here and abroad on ice, at the Mont-Royal Arena, from April 16 to 21. This new creation is inspired by the ballet of bird murmurations and explores the dynamic interactions between partners in a unique contemporary skating style.

At Théâtre Gesù
An event that has grown in scope since its beginnings in 2016, the Montreal Clown Festival will take place at Théâtre Gesù – Centre de créativité, from April 25 to 28. The 7th edition’s program includes shows by emerging and established artists, featuring clowning, physical theatre, buffoonery, and other genres affiliated with clown performance. In addition to eliciting laughter and reflection from the audience, the event provides a space conducive to exchanges and discussions around contemporary practices of clown art.

The Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) on tour

Thanks to CAM on tour, the shows Roche, Papier, Cerceaux by Duo Hoops, Les Illusionnistes, a magic recital by the eponymous company, and N.Ormes by the duo Agathe and Adrien from the company Acting for Climate Montréal will be presented, among others, in the cultural centers of various Montreal boroughs over the coming months. During spring break, a match of L’Impro Cirque (LIC) will also be part of the program at the Maison de la culture de Pointe-aux-Trembles, on March 5. Adapted from the LNI concept for circus, LIC allows the public to vote. A lively atmosphere is guaranteed!

Other Shows in Quebec and the Regions
In the national capital, the year begins with juggling at the 16^th edition of Turbo Fest by Turbo 418, featuring international guests, shows, and workshops. A must-attend event for enthusiasts of balls, pins, and other manipulable objects, at the École de cirque de Québec, from January 4 to 7.

The new creation by Machine de Cirque will unfold in the vast Saint-Charles-de-Limoilou church, from January 31 to February 24. Directed by Martin Genest, La Grand Mess‘ aims to be unifying and festive with many aerial acts, a falconer, and live music. A recent show by this company, Robot infidèle, will be touring several cities in the province in April.

The Quebec company FLIP Fabrique will offer Muse in several cities across Quebec and at Place des Arts, on April 23 and 24.

Other companies will perform in Quebec between January and May 2024. Cirque Kalabanté will open its season at Salle Albert-Dumouchel in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, on January 13, before its major tour in Australia and New Zealand. Les Parfaits Inconnus will present their new music-acrobatic show 4 at Théâtre de Gilles Vigneault in Saint-Jérôme, on March 8. Barka by the company Girovago will feature its dancing music with acrobats performing in Shawinigan and Chambly.

For Families and Youth
The productions of several Quebec circus companies are intended for the whole family and young audiences. Les sœurs kif-kif will tour their Département des retours with about fifteen dates, from the Montreal region to Gaspésie, from January to May. Returning from a tour in France, Les Foutoukours will present Glob at Théâtre de la ville in Longueuil, from January 20 to 24, at the Maison de la culture de Pointe-aux-Trembles, from April 22 to 29, and elsewhere in the province thereafter. DynamO Théâtre will visit the Maison des arts de Laval with Ceux qui n’existent pas, from February 17 to 21.

To the delight of young children, La Marche du crabe will revive Le mobile at the Festival Petits bonheurs in Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec, from May 3 to 5. L’Aubergine will present Circus Opus in Repentigny in January and Walter Ego in several cities in February and March. François Isabelle will perform his clown solo, Cartoon at Petit Champlain in Quebec City, on March 3, at Salle Émile-Legault, on April 6, and in Candiac, on May 19.

Highly active, the company Le Gros Orteil will present Octave at the Maison des arts de Laval, on January 28, and Les Voisines at the Maison de la culture de Verdun, on March 2. The outdoor shows and animations The Librarian, Hisse et Ho !, Brrr !, Le Pelleteur de nuages and Manon en ski de fond will be performed in several cities across the province from January to May.

This winter and spring, circus will flourish in Quebec, and we invite you to consult the companies’ websites for more information on the dates of their productions and activities.

Give the gift of circus or treat yourself by attending the circus shows on display to discover the full creative richness of our artists.

Press Release with Images

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Research: Françoise Boudreault

Information: Francine Arsenault, Communications, En Piste
514 812-7068 / farsenault@enpiste.qc.ca