Returning to the Bell Amphitheater for the second time in five years, corteo, from Cirque du Soleil, is coming (from the United States) with its procession of clowns and whimsical characters. One of Cirque’s most poetic pieces, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca.
The new President and CEO of Cirque Stéphane Lefebvre told us last October, during the presentation of the show under the marquee next summer, Echo : he wishes to present existing Cirque shows more often.
Chance has made corteo, created under a marquee in 2005 by Daniele Finzi Pasca, inaugurated its “arena” format at the Bell Center in December 2018. A transposition that is also quite successful, which is unfortunately not the case for all Cirque shows . We can therefore be delighted with this recovery seen so far by… 8 million spectators!
Rebelote therefore, with this corteo festive which, at the time, marked a return of the Circus to its roots, in a more theatrical universe of a funfair, with no less than eight clowns and musicians on stage.
PHOTO ERIC OGDEN, SUPPLIED BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
There are eight clowns and musicians in the acrobatic piece corteo.
A bold bet and a striking contrast to the previous production, Ka (launched in Las Vegas in 2004), signed by Robert Lepage, which stood out for its state-of-the-art scenography and stunning acrobatic prowess – still on the bill, by the way.
Be careful, the aficionados Cirque who only have eyes for his prowess will not be entirely disappointed; there are of course high-flying numbers in corteo (on the straps, on the jumping board, on a ladder and even on a chandelier!), but most of the time they are part of a finer dramaturgy and a poetic universe.
the corteo (procession in Italian) very Fellinian by Finzi Pasca opens with the death of the clown Mauro, the central character of the play, who will join the angels. In fact, our dreamy clown will attend his own (festive!) funeral and, thanks to the magic of the stage, he will do one last lap with the members of his circus troupe before slipping away.
A clown and his clown
Since 2011, Gonzalo Muñoz Ferrer has played the main role of the clown Mauro, alternating with the original character of Mauro Mozzani. “It was a dream for me to work on this show”, tells us this Colombian clown, discovered by Daniele Finzi Pasca, who first had him play in the play. Nebbia Cirque Eloize. “When Daniele offered me a role in corteo, I immediately accepted. »
Gonzalo Muñoz Ferrer interacts with most of the members of “his” troupe, but he has a special connection with the “little clown”, played by Valentyna Pahlevanyan, a Ukrainian artist who is just over 1 m tall, who is part of the troupe. of corteo since its creation in 2005.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The flight of Valentyna, known as the “little clowness”, creates quite a stir in corteo.
Together, they do one of the most amazing numbers of the show: the helium dance number, where Valentyna is projected into the crowd, carried by three large balloons inflated with helium. For several minutes, she is redirected in the arena by the spectators who push her to the left, to the right… “I love this act, says the artist suffering from proportionate dwarfism. People push me with love. And I can control my movements. »
Does she sometimes experience inappropriate behavior?
Only once did a spectator hold me back to keep me from flying away. Mauro, who was the clown that night, reacted quickly. He sat next to his wife. He told her, “Let her go or I’ll kiss your wife!” The crowd laughed. Since he wouldn’t let me go, Mauro started kissing him, so he let me go.
Valentyna Pahlevanyan, interpreter of the “little clowness”
For Gonzalo, this number is one of the most touching of corteo. “I often thought of my grandmother while doing it. Because initially, I’m the one who projects it into space. It’s a way of letting go of the people you love. And it’s hard! It’s a beautiful metaphor for love and the importance of living in the moment, because nothing lasts. In a snap of the fingers, everything disappears. »
PHOTO ERIC OGDEN, SUPPLIED BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
Valentyna and her husband Gregor in a scene from the puppet theater Romeo and Juliet
Gonzalo and Valentyna participate in another number together: that of the small puppet theater, which presents the play Romeo and Juliet. Valentyna and her husband Gregor – also a short person – are the protagonists, while Gonzalo is the director. “In fact, nothing is working as planned,” Gonzalo said. It’s a nice contrast to the perfectly executed Cirque numbers. It’s very funny. »
The war in Ukraine has not been easy for Valentyna Pahlevanyan, who tried to reunite with her family in Odessa, but her hometown was bombed as soon as the war began in February.
“I took over the show, because I had no choice, I couldn’t go back there. We had visa issues too, but I talk to my family regularly, and it’s fine, even if it’s difficult for them. You know, she said, this sight brings me joy. Honestly, every night feels like my first time. »
corteofrom 21 December 2022 to 1er January 2023, at the Bell Center in Montreal.