The 14th edition of the pure circus festival in Montreal promises a wealth of proposals that are as spectacular as they are poetic and magical.
Here are five shows you won’t want to miss July 6-16.
“The pulse”
TOHU
Until July 8th
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MONTREAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE
This “cathedral” show by Australian troupe Gravity & Other Myths makes its North American premiere at La TOHU through Saturday. The program includes six performances with 60 artists on stage, including 24 acrobats and 36 singers from the girls’ choir Orfeó Català from Barcelona. “It’s a fusion between music, voices and body, it’s extraordinary! You don’t often see such great acrobatic power. There’s nobody here doing a show like that. If there’s only one show to watch, it’s this one! TOHU General Manager Stéphane Lavoie told Agence QMI.
“Runner”
TOHU
July 12-16
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MONTREAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE
This proposal by the Czech troupe Cirk La Putyka, who are visiting the country for the first time, is very daring. “It is one of the most avant-garde European troops. It’s a breathtaking spectacle because it takes place on a treadmill. The artists tell us about their lives and then let us live it on the accelerated treadmill. Ultimately, it’s the public that’s out of breath. It’s really impressive; There’s danger, peak performance and the cardio challenge, not to mention the story touches us,” said Mr. Lavoie.
“Hemisphere”
TOHU
July 13-16
The show “Hémisphère” by the Quebec company Projet Sanctuaire will be presented at La Tohu from July 13th to 16th. PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MONTREAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE
This creation by the Quebec troupe Projet Sanctuaire is just as spectacular as the two previous meetings with top-class acrobats, but their proposal is “more sophisticated” and “closer to contemporary dance”, according to Mr. Lavoie, who adds that the show is interested in our relationship with the time and brings musicians to the stage with classical pop music. “It’s very human, it’s pure acrobatics.”
“Bearded”
Espace St-Denis Studio Cabaret
Until July 16th
Quebec company Cirque Alphonse’s show “Barbu” will be performed from July 6th to 16th at the Studio-Théâtre de l’Espace St-Denis. PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MONTREAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE
The acrobats of Cirque Alphonse are Montreal regulars, complete circus performers. The show allows you to relive the metropolitan origins of the circus at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries in the former Sohmer Park, immersing the spectators in an electro fair with games of skill, colorful characters and exhibitionism. “There are no limits or embarrassments. We watch this show over a beer and have fun. “It’s very fun and spectacular,” said Mr. Lavoie, speaking of an appointment that was part of the “Quebec Region” and “in sheer joy” and all concocted by the Carabinier-Lépine family of Saint-Alphonse-de-Rodriguez .
“The Afternoon When the Cookies Fall”
home theatre
July 11-15
The show “The Afternoon When the Cookies Fall” by Quebec troupe La Croustade will be performed at the Maison Théâtre from July 11th to 15th. PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MONTREAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE
The show “The Afternoon When the Cookies Fall” by the Quebec troupe La Croustade for the general public will delight both children and adults, inviting them to immerse themselves in their childhood. “It’s very touching. They are two, Eline Guélat & Vincent Jutras – a couple – and thanks to small objects they take us into their childlike world. The children find themselves there and the adults find the child in them. It’s freedom, creation, it’s really a beautiful moment!
Return of the “giant”
Also note that Cirque Éloize is back with Le Géant on the Place Ville Marie Esplanade from July 7th to 30th.
“We are returning with pre-pandemic greatness. We have 14 shows, 92 performances and 400 artists on the program. Many activities are free. We are in the Latin Quarter, on Saint-Denis Street, Place Émilie-Gamelin and in nine neighborhoods. We come back with a certain confidence and solidity,” concluded Stéphane Lavoie.
More information on the 2023 edition of Montreal Complete Circus is available online.