Wet Bit Words 5--Le Cirque Educatif--Cirque Municipal, Reims, France.

Educatif was founded as an organisation in 1975 and has been presenting shows in the Douai area of France since 1976, and, additionally, in Reims since 1982. As the name suggests, it seeks to educate and inform through circus and about circus. Hardly surprising as the gentleman (I use the word advisedly) who founded the show with his wife is (or, perhaps, was) a university professor (of linguistics and of information and communication sciences). I speak of the charming Hugues Hotier.

In round figures, the actual professional performances run for a month in the circus building at Reims (which dates from 1902), followed by a month under canvas at Sin le Noble, near Douai. The vast majority of shows are sold through the local schools system (so are, in a sense, closed) with some fully public performances at weekends. i am permitted to revert to my school days!

As a rule, shows on week days are at 9.30am and 2.30pm, the earlier time tending to attract the younger child, plus teacher. Running time is a good 90 minutes without any interval - and the children are held for that period, which I can't imagine happening in Britain.

This year's spectacular included 3 animal acts.

Mickael's Football Dogs. Mihai Golea (usually known as Michael or Mickael when in western Europe) is from Romania, and he acts as referee in a game of football between 2 teams of boxer dogs - football being a game played with the feet or, in this case, paws. For this run, the teams represented France and Italy. I have no idea of the result, and nobody is really bothered any way. It's fun, and a novelty for the audience.

The other 2 acts were presented by the Casselly family, namely Rene and Alexia and their daughter, Merrylu. all of whom we've seen before on this blog, and will probably see with this article too!

The first of the 2 acts was with the family's 4 elephants, which also appeared in the second act, this time joined by the 4 horses in the number I saw at Lille in November. Both acts are of top quality.

Visiting Educatif in January is always a highlight of my year. Long may it live.

Courtesy of John Cooper