Description of the shows
Video extracts
School outings
As a grand finale to its 30th anniversary year, the National Circus School puts 24 talented graduates in the spotlight for two new productions at Tohu from May 29 to June 10. The young artists will present the fruits of their labours, all they have learned over many years of professional training in circus arts. This event serves as a unique prelude to Montreal's festive and "Complètement cirque" summer, and has become a must-see for circus aficionados. Two original creations, Génération 2.0and La flèche au cœur (The Arrow in the Heart), will be presented in alternating performances. They feature breathtaking solo, duet and group numbers, spanning a striking array of circus disciplines. These high-quality, affordable shows are an ideal outing for the whole family.
In Génération 2.0, young adults reinvent themselves, meticulously recording the process. They have 20 years of life and 900 friends in their pockets. Acute narcissists, they experience life with eyes riveted on the seductive oblivion of virtuality, the bluish glow in the palm of their hands. But time marches on and they must grow up… Anthony Venisse, director of Génération 2.0, has contributed creatively to numerous projects with circus companies as a performer, choreographer or director. In 2008, he created at Tohu a solo show, Le Concierge. Most recently, his work Minutes, was an integral part of the Montréal Complètement Cirque festival programming; a large-scale series of impromptu circus street pieces.
La flèche au cœur is an odyssey through a place of devastation where only a few stray beings remain. Together, they search amongst the debris for traces of their pasts with which to reconstruct their histories. It's an ode to love, community and hope, directed with a touch of zaniness by Estelle Clareton and Howard Richard. Estelle Clareton has worked as a theatre and dance performer as well as a choreographer and director. For the past 15 years she has directed her own company devoted to choreographic exploration and creation, creating close to a dozen works including her most recent creation, S’envoler. Howard Richard, an enduring presence on the Montreal choregraphic scene, has also been involved with the circus for more than 20 years as director and choreographer. Among other projects, for the past several years he has collaborated creatively with French theater and circus company HVDZ.
The shows are presented in alternating performances from Tuesday to Friday at 8 pm, and on Saturdays at 6 and 8:30 pm. Matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3:30 pm. These shows make contemporary circus even more affordable with "family packages" and "Two Show packages".
School outings are also available! For more information, read this document and for reservations, contact alachance@enc.qc.ca or at 514-982-0859 ext 221.
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Annual Shows 2011
The latest flight of National Circus School graduates took to the ring at Tohu from May 31 to June 12, 2011. Before embarking on promising careers with the world's top circuses, the 19 young artists, so full of enthusiasm and passion, have presented the results of many years of intensive training. Each year fans of the circus are thrilled by this spring event, featuring circus performers demonstrating a high level of acrobatic and artistic mastery, each more spectacular than the last. Two accessible events, two alternating circus shows were presented: Messa and Pomme grenade.
Messa and Pomme grenade
In Messa the action surrounds a marginalized group who have taken over the third basement of Block B. Discover life in the squat, where they celebrate a highly unusual and exciting cult! Only by pushing the physical and psychological envelope, with liberating movement and ecstatic gesture, do these fervent followers find their equilibrium. Julie Lachance, who directs Messa, has been active in the circus world for more than 25 years as choreographer, artistic advisor, director and teacher. In addition to collaborating in many creations, she was the choreographer for Dralion, a show by Cirque du Soleil.
Pomme grenade follows the journey of a deserter visited by childhood memories. As a magical world of creativity and movement open up to him, he embarks on a quest for peace while thumbing his nose at the rationale behind war. We discover a world steeped in clashes and truces and … acrobatics. A director and actor for 25 years, Marie-Josée Gauthier serves as director for Pomme grenade. In addition to acting as a performance consultant for several dance companies, she teaches acting in Montreal arts school, including the National Circus School.