Barbu

Barbu
Cirque Alfonse. Director - Alain Francoeur. Artistic Directors - Antoine Carabinier Lépine, Julie Carabinier Lépine. Sydney Opera House Studio. 8 February – 4 March 2017

It’s the show that dares to push the boundaries of contemporary circus.

Literally translated as “bearded”, Barbu is the creation of Canadian Circus Troupe, Cirque Alfonse and is something to be experienced!

Eclectic and original, the show melds together elements from the Montreal Circus at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries with art, cabaret, traditional Canadian folk songs and modern electronic music.

Imagine a side show alley, where the audience is spellbound by outrageous feats performed by a troupe of four strong, bearded men in black speedos, two petite, but equally strong women, and a more senior performer wearing a white kaftan with long white linen pants. Add to that a trio of musicians, one who resembles Slash from Guns and Roses complete with black top hat, one who could pass for the sailor from the Village People and one in a red and black corset, wielding a whip.

Sounds a little out there? You wouldn’t be far wrong! Yet these are seasoned performers having graduated from the national circus in Montreal and Barbu provides an hour and a half of action packed, edge of your seat entertainment. The live music sets the atmosphere and fast pace of the show, while the audience is wowed by incredible acts of strength and balance, all performed on a tiny stage.

This is not your average circus so expect the unexpected - men on roller skates, pulling each other along by their beards, a human disco ball, human towers – four men high, a beer keg juggler, some impressive balancing on a pole and so much more.

There are some bizarre moments with a pet guinea pig participating in some magic acts, nudity and whole host of random imagery on the big screens including shots of Canada’s wilderness, people shaving and men dancing nude in a forest! The show’s veteran performer is also on the eccentric side rocking platform shoes, a leotard, “tighty whities” and some mean pole dancing moves!

It’s all in good fun though. Barbu is meant to be cheeky, crazy, bold and brave and the crowd seem to love it.

As Australian audiences are probably more familiar with Canadian Circus – Cirque du Soleil, I asked Artistic Director and founder, Antoine Carabinier Lépine to explain how Cirque Alfonse is different.

“Our level of performance is high like Cirque du Soleil, but we are big boys with big beards, not small acrobats. When you see us on the street, we don’t look like acrobats. This is heavy work and you feel our sweat and shaking. We are less slick, more raw”.

“The first part of the show is more of a traditional circus, while the second part is quirky, funny and unexpected”.

Antoine also said “the show is best for people aged 14 and over. It has something for everyone and we want people to have a good time, a good night out, to relax and forget their day and come enjoy the circus!”

A word of warning - if you are the type who looks away during death defying acts, then sitting up stairs, looking down on the stage may be the best vantage point for you. This show is literally “on the edge” and at times, the performers looked like they might go skating or tumbling into the front row!

Highly entertaining and at the same time surreal.

Shannon O’Connell

Photographer: Prudence Upton

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.