Three Plus

I've already written about the two injuries/illnesses resulting in missed shows. I've also mentioned that there's a saying I picked up in my last circus that there's never two without three. It's a silly superstition, of course. But it's also a superstition that, time and time again, comes to pass. And it did so ages ago. I haven't written about it though because it has been such an on going drama that I've mostly just been waiting for the saga of injury number three to reach it's stunning conclusion.

While C missed two shows due to his ankle and our bandleader missed a weekend's worth of performances, the trio has missed more performances than I can count. It doesn't help that there are three of them. It seems that someone always has some kind of injury that necessitates at least an adapted version of the act. But one of the three is particularly... problematic*.

He has a tendency to wander by, exclaim that he will not be doing the act that day, and then leave without further explanation. Sometimes it's because he feels sick. Sometimes it's because he hurts a little bit. Sometimes we don't even know. One time he didn't perform his act, with much eye-rolling from the rest of us, because he stubbed his toe during the group acro number. It hurt too much to jump, you see...

For the most part, he gets told by the higher ups to take an anti-inflammatory or some cold medicine and just suck it up. I mean, we're acrobats in the circus. We all hurt some (most) of the time. But we've also all signed a contract, and taking care of ourselves so that we can work is our responsibility and very much a part of the job. Needless to say, when he declared that his ankle hurt and couldn't do his act but was seen playing soccer for two hours a day earlier, he was handed a roll of tape, some ibuprofen, and was told to do his job.

This went on for what felt like ages. I don't know how many MRIs he's gone for at this point, but each time he's told that yes, there's a thing, but it's not a big deal and he can keep working. And so he comes backstage, hems and haws about whether or not he's going to do his act, or maybe one of the other group acts, and the rest of us sigh, roll our eyes, and let his two partners deal with him.

But now, the entire situation seems to have come to a head. He came off stage in tears the other day and after yet another round of medical visits and a week of missed performances, he's been told that he can't work on his ankle for at least three weeks. And while I hate to say it, after so much crying wolf, one can't help but wonder if that isn't what he wanted all along...

But this is the circus and the show must go on. An act is missing and that simply will not do. And so, the quest to find a temporary replacement has begun...



* Oh, the venting... the venting I could do! But it seems unfair to devote an entire post to how one person doesn't even come close to pulling his weight. It's still pretty early in the season though...

Overheard Backstage, "Oh My!" Edition

"I'm warming up!"

"You fididdling my penis is not warming up." 

MCC - 2013 Program Announced!

If you're anything like me, you've been wondering when the folks at Montreal Completement Cirque were going to get around to announcing this summer's festival line-up.

I'm here to tell you that the wait is over! It looks like the 2013 edition is going to have some serious clown action, as well as a considerable French and Spanish influence. Other countries represented include Australia, with festival veterans Circa, as well as offers from companies in Switzerland, Canada, and England.

Noticeably absent this year are Cirque du Soleil and les 7 doigts de la main. That could very well be a good thing, leaving room for other lesser known companies to show case their work.

Unfortunately,  I won't be in Montreal to cover the festival this year as I will still be on tour in Switzerland at that time.

The festival runs from July 3rd to the 14th. For the full line up, go here.

Solid Potato Salad

Ladies and gentlemen, the Ross sisters!

 

For those who are wondering, this gif is from the 1944 film Broadway Rhythm. View the full clip here.

Gah!

While walking through the circus grounds, I came across a pile of entrails. I really wish that was code for something else, but sadly, it is not. Needless to say, I was horrified.

The response of our mechanic?

"Hedgehog."

And the Crowd Goes...

"If you ask a kid to draw a circus, they draw a tent." -Pam Miller, Big Apple Circus

I came across this quote the other day and it was exactly the piece of grounding wisdom that I needed to hear. Maybe I’ve just always been spoiled, but in every show I’ve ever performed in, my act was always one of the most well received and often an audience favourite. Here, I feel like my act receives the least applause of any of the acts…

I try not to pay attention. I try to tell myself not to compare. And I know that it’s sometimes hard to really hear during your act or right after because you’re focus is elsewhere. But I hear the applause for the others, and I know mine is not the same. I assist in one act and I swear, I can feel the wall of sound at the end the applause is so loud.

I’ve had friends here tell me “it’s not the same”. My act is more poetic and therefore has a different reception. The first half of the show is much slower and the energy lower (the circus received an e-mail saying the first half was kind of boring with the exception of the last two acts, one of which is mine). And by the time my act rolls around people are anxious for intermission. And of course, when they come back, they’re full of sugar so… yeah.

Sigh…

I know it shouldn’t matter but there are days where I wonder if maybe I’ve gotten old and my material stale. I can’t help but wonder what I’m doing wrong. But at the same time, I feel like I’m able to connect with the audience, and individual members of the audience especially, more so than I have ever been able to do before.

Which brings me back to the above quotation.

It’s not an individual act that makes a circus. Sure, people will have their favourite numbers, and I’m sure every act is at least one person’s favourite. But it’s the circus experience as a whole that fills us with a sense of magic. The sudden appearance of a big top on the horizon, the smell of sawdust and popcorn, and the many and varied feats of those who step into the ring.

So the next time I go out there and wonder where my whistles and woos are, I will try to remember Ms. Miller’s words. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll just pretend that everyone is so incredibly amazed by what they’ve just seen that they’ve lost all ability speak, let alone cheer.

Baby steps… baby steps…

5m80

YES.