Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain
January 31 - February 3
This festival was first established in the late 1970s, when the French circus world, faced with growing disinterest from the public, was slowly reinventing itself: It swept away hackneyed routines and pathetic clowns, exchanged one-act-after-the-other rhythms for story telling, and left the animals in peace. The Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain has since grown international, bringing together the finest from the best schools and circus families of Russia, China, Tanzania, Brazil… This year, the 29th season, performers from 16 countries test their skills in the four-day competition. The “guest” country happens to be France, so the top French young clowns, acrobats and jugglers will have one whole afternoon to demonstrate their mastery. The promise of the best performers draws amateurs and professionals alike to the big top. It is a great chance to catch a gaggle of future stars under one roof.
• Program A (€15-52): Jan. 31 & Feb. 2 at 8.30 pm.
• Program B (€15-52): Feb. 1 at 8.30 pm and & Feb. 2 at 4.30 pm.
• Special French performers (€25-82): Feb. 3 at 2 pm.
• Award ceremony and gala (€25-82): Feb. 3 at 5.15 pm
Special all-included passes from €80 to €100
Cirque Phenix, Pelouse de Reuilly, Paris 12. Mº Porte Dorée. 01 40 55 50 56. www.cirquededemain-paris.com
Cirque du Grand Celeste: “Drôle de monde 2”
Until January 27
Mixing the worlds of jazz and circus, Le Cirque du Grand Celeste comprises four musicians, acrobats, jugglers and trapeze artists. They produce original shows that resemble itinerant theater, with a good dose of humor, poetry, surrealism, and warmth. Before the show, you can snack on a quiche or salad in the first tent.
Thur., Fri. and Sat. 8.30 pm; Sun, 6 pm. €14-27
Cirque du Grand Celeste, 22, rue Paul Meurice, Paris 20. M° Porte des Lilas. 01 53 19 99 13. www.grandceleste.com
Cirque Alexis Gruss: “Orchestra”
Until March 8
This year, the Gruss family incorporates music off all kinds—classical, jazz, percussion—to accompany their traditional circus shows, which always include amazing horse performances.
Wed. 2pm; Sat. 2pm and 8pm; Sun. 2pm and 5.15pm. €17-37
Cirque Alexis Gruss, Bois de Boulogne - Porte de Passy. Paris 16. M° Ranelagh. 01 45 01 71 26. www.alexis-gruss.com
Cirque Bouglione: “Vertige”
Until March 9
In the gorgeous and historic Cirque d’Hiver, the Bouglione circus alternates between traditional and modern, cute and (very) impressive acts, from pig and goat somersaults to the fastest jugglers in the world, to the infamous clowns…and the timeless “cannon woman.”
Tue. 2pm; Fri. 8.30pm; Sat. 2pm, 5.15pm, 8.30pm; Sun. 2pm and 5.15pm. €10-39
Cirque d'Hiver, Paris 11. M° Métro Filles du Calvaires. 01 47 00 28 81. www.cirquedhiver.com/bouglione.html
