Circus troupe The 7 Fingers of the Main are making the final preparations for their new creation, shardswho will be residing in La Malbaie early next month.
This new show, directed by Isabelle Chassé, who is also Artistic Co-Director, is inspired by the history of the region, its energy and the lively life of the fairgrounds. A total of a dozen performers will perform hand-to-hand, cloth, clown, juggling and rope acts, among others, all signed by the Quebec troupe, of course.
“The 7 fingers, like before, […] Don’t necessarily tell us a story per se. We’re more into pure emotion,” producer Michel Granger told QMI Agency.
Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montreal / QMI Agency
This new play was created at the request of the Hôtel-Casino de Charlevoix to coincide with the Fééries de Charlevoix being held at the same time and will be performed in cabaret format under a marquee from mid-August to October.
The marquee, where the acrobatic performances will take place, was specially designed for Éclats by Quebec-based company Unisson, a close associate of Madonna. With its central stage and its 680 seats, no other structure is added or removed depending on the number of participants apart from the marquee. “The structure was designed to form a whole. “It was built and designed specifically for the show,” said Mr. Granger.
Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montreal / QMI Agency
Raphaël D’Amours and Colin Gagné (Serge Fiori, Seul ensemble, En panne, Passagers) signed the musical compositions, while Elen Ewing designed the costumes.
A sustainable residence
Éclats will be presented in Charlevoix for at least three summers, confirmed the producer, who has big plans for the show.
Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montreal / QMI Agency
“The 7 Fingers will definitely come back next year. We will continue to work on the Éclats show with new numbers and more activities will be added to make the event bigger,” he told Agence QMI, indicating he wants to improve the experience year on year.
“Our intention is to develop ourselves in the long term,” he added.
Funny animations to remember the story
As part of the Fééries de Charlevoix, producer Michel Granger commissioned seven actors from the Unuknu troupe to animate the location. The latter, in a burlesque way, take on the role of historical characters that have marked the region over time, such as the big trotter, inspired by Alexis le Trotteur, the now very old strong woman, inspired by Marie Grenon, a strong woman known in the region, or the evil storyteller.
In addition to the gourmet market and the carnival, other activities are planned, notably a fireworks display on August 20th, the “Grave in the Water” in favor of Moisson Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean on August 26th and 27th and the drone show on September 3rd.
The 7 Fingers Shards show will be presented from August 10th to October 2nd. La Féérie de Charlevoix will take place until September 4th.