Wet Bit Words #6--"Etoiles" at Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione

This is the 10th consecutive winter circus in the current run to be presented in the wonderful Parisian circus building. Each presentation has had a title, this season's translating as "Stars".

As there have been photos and video clips from "Etoiles" on this blog recently, perhaps I don't need to go in to matters that fully.



Hans Ludwig Suppmeier opens the show proper with 3 tigers from Togni's resources, the only prop in the cage other than the seats (which are illuminated internally) being the rotating mirror ball used for the act's finale. The number works smoothly, as it should given that Hans has been presenting it for some time.

Regina Bouglione shows a single horse in quite a short offering, before something even briefer. Valentino Togni-Bouglione (aged 9) and 6 year-old Dimitri Bouglione encourage a Shetland pony to cross its front legs, thus mirroring what thy are doing themselves. Clearly the intention is to introduce the youngest generation to the public. I have no idea of the boys' parentage, but would be interested to find out.



Then it's the turn of Joseph Bouglione to show 3 horses, interweaving in a figure of eight as they progress round the ring, later to be joined by another trio and perform a decent liberty act.

The only other animal act is the angora cats of Vladislav Olandar (often billed as just "Vlad") and partner. The domestic felines work with spirit and enthusiasm, two of them being happy to climb a perch which Vlad balances on his forehead.



Other acts with American interest?

Alesya Gulevich was on Big Apple a while ago with her elegant hula hoop act for which she wears a long dress split to the thigh, rather than a leotard. Hans Suppmeier was on BAC with a Togni horse act at the same time, which is hardly surprising as he and Alesya are effectively husband and wife. (As a friend of mine puts it rather nicely "married but not churched".)

The flying trapeze act of The Bull Dancers has spent the last few seasons in Britain, and has improved greatly since I last saw it. The leader of the troupe (Chief Dancing Bull, obviously) is American, so the act is regarded as American. Said principal holds a very nice line whilst flying, and throws a clean triple.

Ringmaster is Sergio, who filled that same role when a circus production comprising acts that had competed at the Monte Carlo Circus Festival appeared in America. Hardly a surprise as he had officiated at the Festival from its inception before making the move to d'Hiver, this being his 7th season at the venue.

The building is one that any true circus enthusiast has to visit at least once. It is a beautiful place, with a great warmth inside. The next circus production there will open in October 2009, and if the rumours I've heard are correct, it will be a very strong bill (as opposed to a Bill Strong!). You may care to keep an eye on

www.cirquedhiver.com

Or maybe you won't.

Courtesy of John Cooper