The Cirkus circus is far from being a haven of peace. For their children’s fiction series, Mireille Mayrand-Fiset and David Leblanc use the rich and colorful, but also fascinating and complex, circus universe as a setting to talk to children about inclusion. There’s For a long time, youth shows offered more classic things, generally exploring clowns only,” explains David Leblanc, who, with his co-author, wanted to bring a breath of modernity to the circus on screen.
For Aria, the heroine of the series played by the very promising Coco LeMay, the unexpected arrival in her village of Saint-Joseph-du-Tubercule, the turnip capital, of the traveling circus Cirkus is a real turning point. Often considered “too much” – fanciful, dreamy, daring, etc. – by those around her, the little girl finally finds herself among people who, like her, think outside the box, and she seizes the opportunity to leave a life she considers too ordinary. This encounter with the circus troupe then becomes a thrilling adventure for her. “The circus is much more than a setting; it is the heart of the story and the opportunity to discover oneself,” adds David Leblanc, who also plays Fred, Aria’s father.
The actress who plays Aria describes her character as wanting to “have fun, but sometimes it becomes a little dizzying for the people around her.” For Coco LeMay, herself with experience in the circus world thanks to her mother’s profession as a director, notably for The 7 fingersand his roles in various shows, including Long live our divasfrom Cirque du Soleil in 2022, her connection with Aria is obvious. “We have the same desire to accomplish what we want to do. We certainly don’t have the same energy, but we still have the same values, in fact,” she emphasizes.
As for the character of Sasha, played by the equally excellent Alex Dupras, he is also very intriguing. Raised by his clown grandfather, Sasha continues the family tradition, but hides a secret desire to become an illusionist. This inner conflict between what he is supposed to be and what he wants with all his heart adds, in fact, an unexpected depth to the protagonist and the story. “His grandfather hates magicians because he had already had a number in the past, but his stage partner had betrayed him a little by launching the Mega Circus, a direct competitor of Cirkus,” explains David Leblanc.
The tension between imposed identity and desire is therefore a central theme of the series. Aria and Sasha, like the other members of the troupe, such as Madame Loyal (Mélanie Pilon) and Tess (Rosalie Turmel), must constantly juggle between their personal aspirations and the expectations of those around them. A real balancing act, in itself. “The problems they face, they are always able to solve them and I think that’s great,” confides Alex Dupras. And David Leblanc adds: “What’s interesting with all these challenges is to see how it will ultimately nourish each of the characters, take them further.”
This process of self-discovery resonates particularly with young audiences, who are often looking for role models to identify with. “I think it’s great that we’re introducing young people to things, because the events in the series can still happen, it’s not necessarily science fiction,” believes Alex Dupras.
Although Aria regularly finds herself in the middle of tensions in Circusshe learns however that unity is strength. “The characters must overcome their differences to move forward, and solidarity is the key to overcoming the obstacles in their path,” adds David Leblanc. For her part, Coco LeMay is delighted with the nuances brought throughout the series. “When the Cirque arrives in Saint-Joseph-du-Tubercule, yes, there are conflicts, but there are also new friendships and it’s really interesting that everything develops at the same time,” she says. The young actress also emphasizes the importance of highlighting humor and kindness in content intended for her generation. “With the team, we always find a way to make it not unpleasant for the children and to make them find it funny by bringing a good energy,” she says.
And what about the magnificent and enchanting settings of Circus ? The attention to aesthetics not only serves to amaze the audience, but also to reinforce the message of the series. The circus becomes a place where everything is possible, a space of freedom and creativity where the characters can fully express who they are. “The series is not only about the circus, but also about new friendships that can be created over time,” assures Coco LeMay, who believes that even young viewers do not notice it at first glance, “it will perhaps change their way of seeing life.” And the magic of the circus works.