Photo : Parbleu ! © Didier André
Les Tombées de la Nuit, in partnership AY-ROOP, present
Parbleu !
Atelier Lefeuvre & André
(France)
Minimalist and whimsical circus in a clownish balancing act
From the age of 7
Jean-Paul Lefeuvre and Didier André return to Rennes after transforming the Saint-Melaine Cloister into a joyful zany circus in 2011, with Entre Serre et Jardin. For this new production, the balancing and illusionist duo and masters of intimate absurdity and ridiculous reinterpretation, go from the circle to the rectangle. It’s a new playing field for a new take on the White Clown and Sad Clown where they continue their artisanal work around simple objects and commonplace utensils. Through the pure magical dexterity of their minimalist circus, fantasy, absurdity, the ridiculous and wonder reign supreme.

With sketches, skits and impromptu scenes joyfully combining Keaton and Tati in a balance that is as unstable as it is masterful, for nearly twenty years, Jean-Paul Lefeuvre and Didier André’s circus duo has been standing up for a kind of “slow circus” that is as modest in its finery as it is magnificent in its performances. The most ordinary objects take on a soul, moving as if they were free in the artists’ expert hands. In the rectangular performance space that becomes a pétanque court, a tennis court and a giant billiard table, Parbleu! creates a new life for planks, trowels, pétanque balls and construction site materials. The lanky White Clown in black briefs is like a gymnast in the middle of a burlesque film. The impassive suspender-wearing Auguste uses his ingenuity to make his companion work in his place.

In this understated yet inventive world, the duo is a master in the craft of purity and detail, in appropriating false idleness and deadpan comedy. Over many years and different artistic creations, Lefeuvre and André have used their juggling and acrobatic skill to meticulously craft a unique art of movement and fun that focuses on the essentials of poetry as “the common denominator of all these vain efforts”.

BIOGRAPHY

Atelier Lefeuvre & André

One has a professional diploma in agriculture, the other was an industrial designer for Moulinex. In 1985, they both joined the first year of the Centre National des Arts du Cirque (French National Centre for Circus Arts) in Châlons-en-Champagne. In 1989, they joined Archaos for a tour before founding Cirque O, and then pursuing their own individual adventures (Institut de jonglage, Philippe Découflé, Que-Cir-Que). In 2001, they reunited again, forming a duo where poetry meets agriculture in La Serre, then Le jardin and Bricolage érotique (2007), all in a traditional front-facing relationship with the audience. Entre Serre & Jardin (2010) enabled Jean-Paul Lefeuvre and Didier André to turn towards outdoor performances with a larger audience. In 2010, Jean-Paul created his first solo, Ni Omnibus. In 2011, Didier created Chez moi Circus. They quickly combined these two works into a single adaptable setup for a new interactive travelling duo called 8m3. Eight years later, Parbleu ! (2019) is their third show, initially designed for the stage.

DISTRIBUTION

Conception et interprétation : Jean-Paul Lefeuvre et Didier André
Lumières : Philippe Bouvet

PRODUCTION

Coproduction Scène nationale de l’Essonne Agora-Desnos.

Avec le concours financier du Conseil Départental de l’Essonne.

Avec le soutien du Théatre d’Auxerre, du Teatro Dimitri de Verscio (CH) et du Forman Brothers Theatre (CZ), avec la complicité de La Grenouillère de La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil.

In partnership with AY-ROOP – ay-roop.com

Friday 02 July 2021
20:00 > 21:15
Théâtre du Vieux Saint-Etienne, Rennes
Saturday 03 July 2021
20:00 > 21:15
Théâtre du Vieux Saint-Etienne, Rennes

Free • No reservation required • The doors will open 30 minutes before the beginning of the show
192 seats
More information 02 99 32 56 56
cognitif moteur visuel
4 seats PMR
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The association is supported by the City of Rennes, the Brittany Region, the Ille-et-Vilaine Department & the ministry of culture.

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