We Need Art That Makes Us Think and Wonder and Question the Madness and Magic in This World.
Reminiscing about a school outing to a modern-day circus.
When we lived in France, one of the most anticipated annual school outings was to the circus. Now this circus was not the circus of my youth — you know the one with the slightly dubious ring master, a frightening clown (they always seemed drunk to me) and animal acts that would be regarded as cruelty today.
No, this circus takes place annually in Auch, France which is famous for being the home town of D’Artagnan the Musketeer. Although you can visit D’Artagnan’s statue, Auch is increasingly celebrated as the centre for excellence in circus arts.
A Modern-day Circus: “In your Heart”
I joined our youngest son to see the circus featuring a team of acrobats and artists from Akoreacro. The show was entitled “Dans ton Coeur” which translates to “In your Heart”. I was absolutely transported — Wow! Just wow! It amazes me how children in the French countryside can see such world class theatre despite living in a remote location.
I guess you could call the story we watched a love story documenting the “coup de foudre”/ falling in love stage to the setting up of home and the setting in of routine and the ensuing madness…
We were with a group of children aged 6–10 and very often I found myself looking around wondering what the children thought of different items. The start of the show for example was dark. I’ll set the scene for you: a woman waiting at a station, thunder and lightning sounding in the distance and close by and several men approaching and threatening her. The fear-inducing men in their dark jackets were enough to send a shiver up anyone’s spine. Later, the woman takes on the men and knocks them all down. (The children loved this.)
On another occasion, a man dressed as a woman came into the ring. At this point I overheard the conversation of the two boys sitting next to me:
“That’s a woman.”
“No, that’s a man.”
“No, that’s a man dressed as a woman.”
“Too cool. Did you see her high-heels?”
“Wow! She did a flag!” (As he held onto one of the tent uprights and lowered his body to horizontal.)
You have got to love the French take on things. I don’t know anywhere else where children can view theatre that could be regarded as controversial. Elsewhere, in general, everything tends to be so monitored and politically correct.
Highlights of the Show
I asked our then 7-year-old what he enjoyed the most — it was the scene where one hit the other. It was back and forth — tit for tat — and it escalated and escalated until the one had his head in a toilet… I suppose it’s the typical clown routine of escalation. The “laugh a little” to “I’m laughing and that is no longer funny” to “shiver up your spine” progression sure is an effective way of communicating a message.
My favourite part was the washing machine/tumble drier scene where the couple play out their daily routine over and over again. You could see the monotony of the household chores setting it. I could relate to that. It was of course pushed too far… One guy’s head was squashed under a washing machine and another found himself stuck in a washing machine — claustrophobia is! What a production!
The children were the most appreciative audience. There was clapping and stomping enough to lift the tent top! I was worried it was all going to come down around us such was the noise and the foot stamping. If you’d like to view a couple of clips from the show, you can take a look here.
Curious about the Auch and Circus?
It all started in 1975 with the opening of a circus school. Later, in 1986 young business people decided to further the initiative and created an innovative project with added social, economic and cultural interest. By 1988, the non-profit organisation CIRCA was in operation with its key objective to unite French circus schools and promote “New Circus.”
Investment from the Ministry of Culture meant more and more people started to visit the big tops in Auch and a new generation of artists emerged. Over time, the annual Festival gained traction and by 1996, it was known internationally as the ideal meeting place for circus schools, artists and professionals. Performing arts mixed with circus disciplines resulted in increasingly innovative shows.
Today, there are artistic residential programmes, shows programmed during the Season and the annual Festival of Contemporary Circus which takes place every October. Each year, there are about 80 shows and 15–20 professional companies taking part. If you’re interested in circus and are able to get there, do! I couldn’t recommend the experience more.
CIRCA and COVID Times?
Although there are still no spectators allowed, residential artists are working, learning and creating new pieces for the future. Education in terms of school visits are also still in place. Here’s hoping that the next festival in October will go ahead and be well supported.
In the meantime, you can take a look at this photographer’s work to see some behind the scenes photographs of artists in rehearsal and of their performances.
What’s the Purpose of Circus Today?
I find it wonderful that children in France are exposed to art that makes us think and wonder and question all the madness and magic in this world. A circus should make you laugh and gasp in wonder. Beyond that, it’s art and it makes you question the everyday. Isn’t that what good art is for after all? May you find something that takes you back to that childhood wonder soon!
