Globally acclaimed circus troupe Cirque Alfonse will take to the Adelaide Fringe stage with the Australian premiere of their new hit show 'Animal’.
Cirque Alfonse have captured the hearts of many since their lumber camp, 'Timber!', in 2011. . . Their cabaret electro-traditional cabaret 'Barbu' in 2014, and 'Tabarnak' in 2017.
In 'Animal', young and old will be entertained as part of a farm fantasy featuring a mix of trad an soul – which the troupe are calling 'agricultural funk'. Surreal farm fables are at the core of the storyline, starring a gentleman farmer who has surrounded himself with some familiar – but slightly outlandish – creatures.
The chickens have teeth. . . The ducks are slightly menacing. . . The cows are kicking up a fuss. Audiences will never look at rural life the same.
Ahead of the show's run at Adelaide Fringe – a place Cirque Alfonse are warmly familiar with – we spoke to Artistic Director and Performer Antoine Carabinier-Lépine about all things 'Animal'.
This is the Australian premiere of the show! What’s the most exciting part, for you, about presenting a new work to audiences?
For us, it's so nice to come back to Adelaide since we have done it four times before. The audience loved our previous shows so it's quite stressful to come back with new work. We just hope that they enjoy it like before!
Who are Cirque Alfonse?
It's a family circus that started 17 years ago. My sister and I wanted to give a present for the 60th birthday of my dad and we decided to create a show with him. It's how Cirque Alfonse started. So it's my dad, my sister, my girlfriend, brother-in-law and a bunch of really good old friends. We have also four kids on tour that my mum is taking care of during our performances.
Tell us a bit about ‘Animal’.
We grew up on a little farm in St-Alphonse-Rodriguez with my family. It's where we create our shows. So, for us, it was normal to explore that side and do a show about it. So we decided to put my dad as the farmer in the show and the rest of us the bunch of different animals.
Image © Rolline Laporte
You’ve been quoted as saying that Adelaide is one of your favourite places to perform. Why is this?
I think it's the vibe of the Fringe. Because it's happening in all different parks and gardens, it is such a great atmosphere with all the big tops and The Spiegeltent. We have a lot of friends around during that time and everybody is so friendly with Fringe Club where you can meet everybody. What a month of having fun!
Why is ‘Animal’ a perfect show for a festival like Adelaide Fringe?
I think because it can be for everybody, the kids have so much fun and there is a second degree for adults. The live music from Quebec also is something that talks to all of us.
Talk a bit about the themes/influences in the show.
In our shows, we always try to use normal elements from life and put it in a circus discipline. We use a big tractor wheel to do teeterboard, juggle with big cow bells, do hand-to-hand on milk jars and we even have a mechanical bull that we use to do acrobatics! Cirque Alfonse is all about roots from Quebec.
What’s the biggest challenge in putting a show like this together?
Actually, it's learning a new discipline in every show that we do. We are lucky because we've been working for 17 years together so we know what we can do and what's not going to be possible, but it's always a challenge to learn new tricks. Even harder when you start to be old acrobats like us! Haha!
Image © Rolline Laporte
It has already received rave reviews across the globe. What is it that audiences love most about ‘Animal’?
Quite frankly, I think it's the authenticity of the show. We don't try to be perfect on stage and we are having great fun. We are a family and the connection between us is strong since we are working since so long together.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in putting together and presenting the show thus far?
That whatever you are trying to do, make it with fun, and believe in yourself!
What’s one thing you’d like audiences to feel when they leave the show?
That they forget everything they are stressed about and they feel like kids again!
Cirque Alfonse's 'Animal' plays The Roundhouse at The Garden of Unearthly Delights (Adelaide Fringe) 16 February-17 March.
