Discover creations under the big top, emerging companies in the open air, all at a low price… The Village de cirque festival remains faithful to its DNA. Its 19th edition opens this Friday, September 8 for three weekends. In total, 11 companies will provide around forty performances on the lawn of Reuilly, in the 12th arrondist of Paris, some of which will be free.
The festival welcomes for the first time, from this weekend, a circus emblem of minorities, the first of its kind under a marquee. “We wanted to take queer out of the night, reserved for adults, to create a popular show, for all audiences, by taking over the squares of towns and villages thanks to the marquee”, explains Lia Plissot, founder of Cirque Queer and aerial acrobat. The show “Le Premier Artifice” is carried by the transformation of the characters.
“The show offers cross portraits carried by real numbers. The seven artists follow clown numbers, burlesque dancing, knife throwing, ground acrobatics, aerial straps, fixed tze or even manipulation of objects. A show at the crossroads of the traditional and outfits with rhinestones, sequins and vinyl.
In an artist’s dressing room
Also to be seen this weekend, “Time to Tell”, by juggler Martin Palisse who recounts his illness, cystic fibrosis. “He shares this intimate word with the public without sinking into pathos, it’s a very beautiful show”, appreciate Marie Chapouille and Rémy Bovis, at the head of the cooperative. The minimalist juggler (three balls maximum) shows how his genetic disease, which affects the respiratory tract, forced him to adapt his way of working. But also how he overcame the obstacles.
“It is often the societal and family context that sets the limits. It is up to us to know when to free ourselves from them or to respect them, composes Martin Palisse. You just have to decide to live. Time-to-Tell gives the energy and the desire to fight. I also talk about my expensive new treatment, reimbursed thanks to the public. This national solidarity in health matters is of great value. The circus artist ends with a very physical number of sixteen minutes, a snub to his illness.
Throughout the festival, the public will be able to enter Lena D’Azy’s caravan in groups to watch for a few moments how an artist prepares in her dressing room. On the other side of Lac Daumesnil, in the Bois de Vincennes, outdoor enthusiasts will be able to applaud the acrobatic and dance moves of the company Doux Supplice, for three free performances.
Circus village, from September 8 to 24 on the lawn of Reuilly (Paris XII). This weekend, “the Concordance of time”, free, from 6 years old. “Time to Tell”, from 12 years old, 10 euros and 14 euros. “Le Premier Artifice”, Circus Queer, from 10 euros to 22 euros. Full program here