This was the first and only time in 35 years that Monte Carlo validated themselves(no awards) as something special. But then they trashed that by touting it as "the best O the best" in their tainted history. They should have just called it "Europe's Greatest at the Moment." It was a hell of a show that year.
Courtesy of Thomas Bohner
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monte Carlo 2006
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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7 comments:
Oh Wade big mistake this video is from 2007 and this act won gold.
Thomas,
You are right. 2006 was when Knies, Laceys, I think Togni's were there for the salute to Prince Ranier, right.
Wade
Wade,
In 2006 Togni came with 9 elephants, Alexis Gruss family and Knie family with their horses, Laceys and their cage acts and Probst and their farm act.
Thomas
I have in front of me the program from the 2009 Festival which includes a listing of all awards from 1974 to 2008. The 30th Festival (2006) is listed as Editional Exceptionnelle with no rewards listed nor are any participants listed.
In 2007, gold clown was awarded to La Famille Casartelli for "pas de deux a cheval et l'ensemble leurs presentations" (sorry I don't know how to put the accent marks in) but basically a duo on horses and others of their group.
Warren
Warren,
Monte Carlo is as phony and flawed as they come. Text book example for historians to study when addressing "what happened here" when seeking an answer to empty seats.
Wade
Wade,
I do not disagree with you about the politics and such of the Monte Carlo Festival. As a matter of fact, my current boss, who was flown to Monte Carlo to speak at the symposium about our work in social circus among youth commented about the politics and all that she observed there. However, she was thrilled to make contacts that might help our work with young people. No, we don't train tigers and elephants, we don't even encourage our young people to look for careers in the circus. We use acrobatics, object manipulation, equilibristics, aerial work, magic, comedy, and performance experiences to teach lfe skills - patience, trust, teamwork, determination, and the list could go on and on.
My comments here are based upon what I see and have seen from someone who spent a number of years in the circus community. I don't claim to be an animal trainer or have extensive knowledge such as you. I still enjoy circus performances and still love seeing animal presentations. My boss said the one cage act in Monte Carlo this year was one of moving furniture - a thing I do not enjoy. She was bored to tears by the horse act which I would be agreeable to based on the videos of these people you have posted.
I do not defend the Monte Carlo Festival in any way. Having an actual program in my hand from the 2009 festival allows me, as I sturggle to translate the French, only reinforces the politics and issues involved. Great acts have been ignored by Monte Carlo and bad acts have been rewarded for doing nothing. Such is the reality of the world. That montage from the Casaretteli family was beautiful to see but in my mind didn't represent the best in the world of animal training.
I'm curious as to who you would select if you were able to present the "greatest circus in the world" given the avaliable acts? Keep in mind you must represent all genera - animals, actobats, equilibrists, manipulators, clown, magic, and aerialists?
Got to go to work now but I'll work on my list.
Warren
Warren,
You pretty much called it. A self serving venue for a few private agenda, using the scope of "world wide circus for all." I am curious, your boss, is she "versed" in cage acts? "Furniture act" is a term that I have not heard used for years, as they are all have furniture, as does an elephant act. She should apply for a jury position. Is an elephant act better because it get's on the tubs 5 times or worse because they don't use tubs at all. I would have thought the double hind leg walk which has been done less then a half dozen times in history, in a show would have been impressive.
In regards to the Casartelli exotic act, it is an exotic act, and it is not much about training, as it is about presentation. You would be hard pressed to find as nice of blankets, variety of animals, and costuming as they had since Ringling in the 70's and
80's. Rewarding bad, and ignoring good is not the reality of the world if you are attempting to validate yourself, Warren. I don't think we should shrug off the impact it has. I don't think the Grammies, the Oscars, the Country music awards would take it so lightly, as it affects the "ticket buying" public, who is still filling their seats. Miss America is accepted for what it is, and doesn't attempt to spin it any other way.
I couldn't anything or anybody for the "greatest circus in the world" unless there was a standard set. If I did I would sink to a phony circus awards show. I you said each producer can spend X amount of dollars to put together the "greatest circus in the world" I have an idea of who would be given the opportunity. As for act's against act, again what is the standard. Your boss doesn't know anymore then anybody else. That's guessing on personal preference, like the blond, the red head, or the brunette at the beauty pageant. Lot's of fun, but validating nothing as far as skill or talent. Ice skaters judged against like skaters, pairs, singles, etc. is all close as the circus and MC can come to competion, but even then they judge apples to oranges which takes them out of that semi valid venue.
Wade
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