In the Saint-Michel neighborhood of Montreal, a collection of buildings makes up a kind of ‘Cirque City.’ It’s here you’ll find the National Circus School, the headquarters of Cirque de Soleil – and the home of TOHU, a year-round dedicated circus-arts venue. TOHU also hosts the Montreal Cirque Festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in July 2019.
Chaos and Creation
From July 4th-14th, the streets around Rue St Denis come alive with circus performers, free shows, demonstrations, and sheer exuberance. More than 400,000 people travel to Montreal every July for the festival, marking it as the first North American international festival of the circus arts. It features performances from around the world, including renowned troupes like Les 7 Doigts.
However, TOHU represents more than a celebration of circus arts; it also functions as a community cultural outreach program aimed at connecting and involving local residents. The area of Saint-Michel is economically deprived, exhibiting a 12.3 percent unemployment rate, significantly higher than Montreal’s average of 5.5 percent. Consequently, the organizers offer discounts and provide 400 free tickets each season to locals.
The name ‘TOHU’ is derived from a Quebecois circus saying – ‘tohu bohu.’
According to Stéphane Lavoie, Executive and Programming Director of TOHU, inviting the community to experience the Cirque is vital to the venue’s success. “We are here to build a community circus, not merely to sell circus tickets,” he emphasizes.
Each night of the festival, a free show titled Les Minutes Complètement Cirque traverses the streets as 32 acrobats utilize the natural environment to perform incredible feats. The audience is drawn along in a magical, musical parade, following red umbrellas to Les Jardins Gamelin (a public park). Once gathered, a full show titled ‘Candide’ is performed on a vast acrobatic arch.
These free performances have become a hallmark of the festival, as the artists transform the city into a colorful, immersive, and dynamic work of art. A unique feature during the procession involves a twist on the traditional stacking chairs act, where the chairs are substituted with a mobile of stools precariously balanced 45 feet in the air. Notably, the performer at the summit of this unstable ensemble executes a handstand, demonstrating their profound skill and trust in balance.
Working Without a Net
The shows operate without understudies or backup plans, and any unexpected weather could lead to cancellations. In fact, a heatwave in 2018 forced the scrapping of one performance. After three weeks of intense rehearsals, all that remains is the wait for the actual performance.
Anthony Venisse, the choreographer and stage director of ‘Candide,’ knows well the blend of excitement and nervous energy that precedes a live show. “The acrobats are eager to perform,” he remarks. “They infuse young creative energy into every show.”
Moreover, part of Venisse’s role involves managing that ambition to ensure every trick and performance is executed safely. He meticulously tries out all lock holds beforehand and conducts extensive rehearsals with the troupe. “I am like the conductor who ensures the entire orchestra plays together seamlessly,” he describes. Nevertheless, he acknowledges that for circus performers, the element of danger often enhances the allure: “For aerial performers, this is where the excitement lies, in the risk.”
Once at Les Jardins Gamelin, performers slide down silks from the 60-foot arch, soaring higher than any traditional indoor theater could accommodate. “Because we are outdoors, the sky is the limit, literally,” he asserts.
Circus Sights Create a Vision
Throughout the city, various districts and neighborhoods organize one-off or multi-day cirque activities and family-friendly events to celebrate Montreal’s rich cultural art form.
Nadine Marchand, Director of the Montreal Cirque Festival/Montreal Complètement Cirque, has been a part of the festival since its inception. “Before this festival, something was missing,” she states. “We envisioned a gathering for all circus players worldwide – a circus rendezvous every summer.” The festival thrives on audience participation, making each performance uniquely remarkable.
Marchand revels in the show’s magic each year, witnessed through the captivated eyes of the audience. As performers dangle from buildings and juggle at stoplights, they transform the mundane into a whimsical spectacle. “We are a group of old friends who invade the environment and architecture,” she shares.
The planning for the subsequent year’s festival commences before the final bow of the current performers. As Marchand aptly puts it, “The circus is a trademark of Montreal.” Therefore, the show must indeed go on!
Montreal Cirque Festival / Montreal Complètement Cirque
When: July 4th-14th
Where: The St. Denis neighborhood of Montreal, Quebec; TOHU headquarters at Jarry Street East; Across the city at various other events.
Costs: Enjoy numerous free shows and events during the festival, along with passes available for indoor performances. A three-show pass starts at $90 CAD ($68.50 USD), while individual performances begin at $29 CAD ($22 USD).
Beyond the Festival: Be sure to visit TOHU for circus exhibits and artifacts, tour the gardens, and engage in fun circus-themed activities.
