Montreal Completely Circus | La Tohu at the heart of the festivities

The Montréal Complètement cirque festival unveils this Thursday the titles of the shows that will animate the Cité du cirque pole from July 7 to 17.

Stephanie Morin
The Press

More than ever, the Tohu site aims to be a destination in its own right for festival-goers. Indeed, no less than six shows will be presented in the main room, under the tents, on the grounds bordering the Tohu for the duration of the festival. Two other productions will take place at the National Circus School, a stone’s throw away.

“The Tohu site will be spectacular, very lively,” says Nadine Marchand, director of Montréal Complètement cirque. “The public will be able to stroll from one show to another, from one universe to another. Like last year, the site will host a bistro – “with a chef this year”, says Nadine Marchand –, picnic areas and several indoor and outdoor stages.

“The programming will be very diversified, continues Nadine Marchand. After two years of pandemic, we can finally welcome international companies again and discover new universes. Several companies from the Nordic countries will be present this year. They offer very refined, very contemporary, very beautiful shows. »

Another fact to note: two shows for toddlers have found a place in the program. Hiatusfrom the Quebec company The Crab Walk (from 2 years old), will be presented outdoors from July 9 to 11, and Track Track Track (from 4 years old), from the Finnish troupe Portmanteau, will be at the National Circus School on July 14, 16 and 17. “There is a great demand for children’s shows, and having two productions on the program is rare! “says Nadine Marchand.

However, it is a creation for the general public that will serve as the opening show of Montréal Complètement cirque: After the night, presented in the Tohu building itself for the duration of the festival. Specially designed for this circular room with very high ceilings, this creation directed by Benoît Landry (alone together) will focus on aerial acrobatics, but also on music. Indeed, the Chances trio will perform live in the center of the stage, surrounded by 12 acrobats and dancers. July 2 and July 5 to 16.

Under the big top erected on the site, the Quebec troupe Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra will offer barka. Inspired by Colombian cumbia, this very festive show will mix dance, circus and music. Accordion, violin, clarinet, brass instruments and percussion will fill the audience’s ears. From July 6 to 17.

From July 8 to 11, the public is invited to an “amazing experience, between circus and dance”, with phase, a show coming from the Netherlands, presented in the hall of the main building. Here, the bodies of the three performers form a single moving organism, in constant evolution.

The very colorful Goldencrust family, imagined by the couple Tamara Bousquet and Philippe Trépanier, from Les Deux de Pique, returns for the second year, but in a renewed formula. This time, she will be able to park her motorhome in a space that will be entirely reserved for her. On the program: humor and circus inspired by Florida campsites and their colorful fauna! From July 8 to 10 and from July 13 to 17.

A second marquee installed near the Tohu will host from July 12 to 15 Plastic, of the Swedish troupe ENT. “This bewitching spectacle plunges us into a veritable visual poem,” explains Nadine Marchand.

Finally, the show beautiful squares will unfold on the stage of the National Circus School. Created by the Guadeloupean circus organization Métis’Gwa, this production features four female artists. It discusses, in a mixture of Caribbean dance and circus, the place that women occupy in society. A great way to celebrate femininity!

Please note: the festival’s outdoor program will be announced at a later date. But already, Nadine Marchand promises that it will be “very large-scale” and that several novelties will be offered in the Latin Quarter. To be continued.