Created by Îles-de-la-Madeleine company Vague de Cirque, Carrousel et Corde à Linge is two hours of circus that will not only make you smile, but is bound to impress even the toughest of circus critics. This show packs some seriously big circus into a seriously small space. The result is an intimate evening that guarantees that the audience is right in the heart of the action.
This show is silly. It is delightfully, wonderfully silly. And what makes their silliness so wonderful is that it isn't forced. No one is playing the buffoon. The absurdity comes from within and so even the most 'serious' of characters will still leave you laughing. It's a remarkable balance that leaves the audience completely under the artists' silly spell.
Where to begin? Part of me wants to ramble on like a five-year-old and mention every captivating detail. But the rest of me really wants you to have a chance to see the show yourself, so I don't want to give away all the surprises.
I can say this though, the cast is impressive. I've learned that the show came together in only two weeks! And one artist was only integrated into the show yesterday! That recent integration can be felt, however. While the rest of the troupe appears on stage as one, this new addition seems to come out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly, making you wonder what she's doing there at all. Not that she isn't skilled. There's just more serious integration work that needs to be done. Aside from that and a few first performance kinks, the show was a smash.
I particularly liked Yohann Trépanier's character. What could have been your clichéed nerdy clown quickly became my coup de coeur. And this boy is skilled. Aside from a duo juggling act (the weirdest, most ridiculous juggling act I have ever seen, and loved), and a hat juggling act, not to mention all the group stuff, Yohann managed to do a technically impressive acrobatic bicycle act on a stage that was only 16 feet in diameter! For those who aren't in the know, usually the double is required for such an act!
Pauline Bonnani won me over with her absurd character and impressive acrobatic skills. We all know I love to see a woman represent when it comes to acro, and Pauline did just that. Banquine, acro solo, and teeterboard flyer, she left no doubt that she was there to execute some serious skills. And her character... her character! Forget the girly girl, or the bitch. Pauline's character wasn't a tomboy, but wasn't trying to be terribly feminine either. It seemed like an endearing if not socially awkward girl just trying to do some backflips, damnit. And it was awesome.
Holding the show together was comedic character Raymond Raymondson, created and portrayed by artist Gregory Lackovic. Let me tell you, it is very easy to have too much of a clown. It is very easy to wish that the clown would just get off stage already and let the acrobats do their job. In fact, I would say it's very easy to hate the clown. But you would be hard pressed to feel anything but enchantment with Gregory Lackovic. Not only is character really funny and absolutely solid, but he brings a much needed maturity and obvious experience to the entire show. You could feel that that maturity has rubbed off on the other artists and the entire production is better for it.
Vague de Cirque was a wonderful discovery for me and the perfect way to kick off the festival. I really look forward to seeing more from them in the future, and I highly recommend you see them while you can!
Carrousel et Corde à Linge runs in their chapiteau next to the Tohu on Saturday July 7th at 16h and 19h, as well as Sunday July 8th at 19h.
After that, you'll have to make a trip to the Magdalen islands. Which really doesn't sound all that bad if you ask me.
As for LEO? I'm seeing it tomorrow.
Stay tuned for more MCC coverage!
No comments:
Post a Comment