In the forest of rotating stars, small cones of neon blue, red and green, indicating where a child is in the room, impatience is palpable.
This attractive and indispensable spinning plastic gadget for any aspiring winter circus spectator has endured for decades in the polygon-shaped hall.
The show does not take long to begin.
And it is the review of the dancers accompanied by the musicians of the orchestra that opens the show.
It is then the turn of the numbers which follow one another, dressage of horses and ponies, juggling of all kinds, aerial straps, Chinese shadows, acrobatic rollerblades ... more or less innovative, they follow one another in the lights of the winter circus . It is mainly young women, often scantily clad compared to their male counterparts, who occupy the track.
It was a long year spent waiting for the possibility or not to perform again
"some artists I know have even had to retrain, at the height of the pandemic. Some have not returned to their former life and have even sold their equipment and their trailer. It's sad to see a world that is disappearing, ”
explains Joseph Bouglione. He adds
“For these circus artists, with no training other than the circus school, their job is their body. Retraining can be difficult but some have had to find solutions to continue to live decently. I am thinking in particular of a trapeze artist with a double life, she became a nail technician to make ends meet. "
The “Skating Medini” brothers and sisters in a number that combines speed and lightness. Dominique secher
The descendant of the famous Joseph Bouglione first of the name, past artistic director of this circus institution intends to keep afloat the prestige of his heritage and honor his illustrious ancestor. For that, it was necessary to change the course of the last show twice, the aptly named "Crazy!" »Yet prepared two years in advance. Adapting to the health context
“all international artists (Chinese, Russian, American) did not have the necessary authorizations to play in France in 2020, so it was necessary to tighten the programming on European or even French artists. To the point of reaching 70% Europeans and 30% French. But nothing is lost for the other artists whose contracts I have postponed until the situation improves. "
Health crisis or not, on the track, the benchmarks endure, in particular thanks to the desire to keep at least one member of the family in the show, in this case the indestructible Regina who presents an equestrian dressage number. Mr. Loyal, he also cut his teeth in the Bouglione house, Michel Palmer has been playing this role for ten years. Recently, he has been accompanied by Totti, a clown for five generations and a sort of Augustus with a Rockabilly look, who sometimes pushes the song. If he brings a breath of fresh air to the show, he is one of those who were forced to set up another activity during the Covid by opening an ice cream food truck.
Great asset of the winter circus shows, the live orchestra.
About ten musicians, some of whom have been in the house for more than twenty years.
Drums, bass, brass, piano, and strings that energize the most classic acts and add value to the live performance.
"Crazy !"
the last born of the Bouglione house presents few animals, a real choice on the part of the artistic director;
“This is a real question for us because our public is very interested in wild animals.
Some have even warned us that they would not come if we did not present an animal number.
However, maybe we would get another audience if there were no more.
"
Totti, the music-loving clown in full performance.
Dominique secher
Who says winter circus says decrease in activity in fine weather, the Bouglione company was therefore forced to rethink its mode of operation and to compensate for the costly maintenance of the place.
From October to March circus shows take place and all year round guests, currently the comedian Kheiron follow one another.
Another source of income, the privatization of the place (up to 5-6 events per month) from the company meeting to the political meeting via the fashion show.
An example of reinvention in the face of constraint,
"a necessary adaptation"
concludes Joseph Bouglione.
“Crazy!”, Until March 6, at the Cirque d'Hiver, 110 rue Amelot (Paris 11th).
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