I love Cirque
I love cirque. There I said it. And it’s not simply the spectacular acrobatics, though those certainly hold great appeal. So, why do I love cirque?
First off, it’s a rich, longstanding tradition that incorporates the best aspects of theater: a thoughtful story, inventive props, music and the body as communicator. The imaginative, transcendent world cirque nouveau artists create is unique unto the moment and expounds the ephemeral quality of live art. It is not simply about dazzling acrobatics. It’s about the story.
Cirque nouveau, or contemporary circus, is one of the most thrilling art forms to develop in the latter part of the 20th century. It has become an art form of worldwide appeal given the success of Cirque du Soleil, Pickle Family Circus, Cirque Eloize and many others. Cirque Mechanics is firmly anchored in this legacy. Canada, in particular Montreal, has been a hotbed for the explosion of cirque nouveau due in part to the internationally renowned Ecole Nationale de Cirque. (Hence, our presentation of Cirque Mechanics is part of this year’s Traversée la Frontiere series.) This success has lead to a proliferation of contemporary cirques, not all of whom measure up to the quality and integrity of the aforementioned troupes.
My passion for cirque was first ignited by the Montreal-based company Cirque Eloize. Their work is inventive, provocative and sophisticated and often intended for adult audiences. It’s been further fed by visiting places like the Musée de la civilisation in Quebec City and an exhibit on the history of cirque nouveau. Back in Vermont, I annually attended Circus Smirkus and was awestruck by the skill, strength and professionalism of the young performers. This summer, I gave “Water for Elephants”—an historical novel on traveling circus culture in the U.S.—a read, which coincided perfectly with my visit to the Circus Smirkus Big Top in Freeport this past August. In fact, the artists of Cirque Mechanics will also visit Freeport’s Merriconeag Waldorf School tomorrow for a circus arts workshop (registration full) hosted by Smirkus Freeport, the folks behind the annual summer presentation of Circus Smirkus. Company members of Cirque Mechanics then head over to P.A.T.H.S. for a Thursday workshop with students and teachers.
Maine enjoys its own rich history with circus arts. One of the leading mime artists of the 20th century, Tony Montanaro, made his home in Maine until his death in 2002. A student of Marcel Marceau and Marceau’s teacher, Etienne Decroux, Montanaro went on to found Celebration Barn Theater in 1972 in South Paris, Maine. A world-renowned theater/school of mime, improvisation, storytelling and other performing skills, Celebration Barn became a mecca for performers who came from around the world to study with this man who was redefining mime and theater. From Celebration Barn, generations of mimes, physical comedians, storytellers, and actors, guided by Montanaro’s genius, have gone on to successful careers, including circus artists with Cirque du Soleil. In fact, Cirque Mechanics alum and former director of Celebration Barn, Fritz Grobe, will present our Ovations Offstage pre-performance lecture at 5:30 pm Thursday evening.
Finally, the industrial setting of “Birdhouse Factory” resonates deeply with Maine’s history as a mill town state. From shoes to paper to fish canneries to matchsticks and candy, as everyone knows Maine was a major player in the New England industrial revolution. The state’s great rivers were the setting for factories that made use of Portland as a deepwater port. The landscape remains dotted with converted (some now artists studios and live/work spaces) and abandoned mills. Re-imagination and innovation is called for as time marches on, just like in “Birdhouse Factory.”
Suffice it to say, the relevance and resonating themes between Cirque Mechanics’ “Birdhouse Factory” and Maine are numerous and exciting to contemplate. These, combined the deepest sense of quality are why we are so pleased to bring Cirque Mechanics’ “Birdhouse Factory” to our community. It’s been over two years in the making to get them here – Thursday can not come soon enough.
Is it too late to run away and join the circus? I will let you know…
Aimée M. Petrin
Executive Director
Valjean says:
Youre a real deep thinker. Thakns for sharing.
Hermes birkin bag says:
Thank you for your great
content.