[ATTENDED: March 6, 2015] Timber!
Anyone who reads this blog knows that we love our cirques. From China, from Montreal, from wherever. So if you tell me that you’ve invited circus performers who are doing lumberjack skills, you know I’m there.
One thing I loved about this show was just how different it was from most of the shows we’ve seen. Unlike the Chinese acrobats who are dainty or sleek and strong, or some of the other Montreal cirques which are polished, these acrobats, the troupe of Cirque Alfonse, were big burly bearded men in flannel shirts and long johns and a couple of women (one very strong and the other a lithe dancer). They spoke and sang only in French and created a set that was very much reminiscent of a Québécois logging camp.
One of the best things about the show was the live music. Most of the acrobats also played instruments–guitars, banjos, a saw, and various percussion. There was something about the performers being up there that made the show more exciting–especially later in the show when the guy busted out an electric guitar which seemed to update the danger level somewhat. I do admit that since I don’t know French at all, I have no idea what the songs (some had words) were about.
There was much humor (an outhouse as part of the set) and of course, plenty of visual humor–usually surrounding how they set up their tricks. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 