GAÏA, THE ENTIRELY FEMALE SHOW OF THE CIRQUE PHENIX

Cirque Phenix presents its new creation, GAÏA, performed by female stars of circuses around the world.
Alain M. Pacherie, President of the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain and of the Academy of Circus Arts Fratellini is the creator and director.

For this show, 40 women from all over the world perform on stage. The orchestra, the “Phoenix Girls Orchestra”, is made up entirely of women. It is conducted by Alexandra Cravero, 1st prize for viola at the Conservatoire National de Musique de Lyon and holder of a master’s degree in orchestral conducting in Paris. She has conducted the BBC Orchestra, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic, the Châtelet Theater, the Opéra Comique and the Opéra de Monaco.
The only male representative is the master of ceremonies, Calixte de Nigremont,

The idea for such a show was born 2 years ago. following the demands of women who demanded equality. The aim was to explore the place of women in the circus, their role, their history, their development and the obstacles they encounter.

A show named after the “Mother Goddess”

GAÏA, the Earth, is a goddess of Greek mythology. She represents the “Mother Goddess” born out of chaos. In the same way, were born Eros (desire), Nyx (night), Erèbe (darkness of Hell) and Tartarus (the biggest prison in Hell) . Only GAÏA gave birth to seas and mountains. By mating in the Sky Ouranos, she gave birth to the 12 Titans.

10 numbers as surprising as they are varied

This year, the show features 10 numbers: acrobatics (5), rollerblades ((1), bolas (1), burlesque, (1), contortion (1), unicycles (1).

ACROBATICS

Ladder (Portugal)

They are 2 sisters. One of them performs acrobatics on a ladder of several meters, installed on the soles of the second’s feet.

Antipodism (Ethiopia)

A 10th century practice born in China, it is also found in rituals in pre-Columbian Mexico. Here, 2 Ethiopian acrobats, lying on their backs, juggle with their feet and hands, rotating squares of fabric.

Hands to hands (Ethiopia)

It is a discipline of warlike origin resulting from hand-to-hand combat and hand-to-hand combat. It is part of the African circus repertoire. For this number, three young women perform acrobatics as in a confrontation. It requires a lot of strength in the wrists, while exuding sensuality and femininity.

Aerial hoops (Ukraine)

An aerial choreography based on hoops. Although it seems easy to manipulate the hoops, it becomes more difficult when you are in a vacuum. These two young Ukrainians handle the apparatus with great ease, making the act glamorous.

Aerial rings (Ukraine)

This discipline, resulting from gymnastics, is generally reserved for men. because it requires strength, speed and balance. Acrobat Kateryna has transformed this exercise into a feminine, graceful and spectacular version.

OTHER NUMBERS

Contortion (France)

An accomplished athlete, Anaëlle takes on the role of a skier. A technical but also entertaining number, Thanks to her antics, she puts herself in difficult situations marked by contortion positions, leaving the public dumbfounded.

Burlesque painting (France)

A feminine clown number inspired by the corps de ballet. We discover two ballerinas in tutu who have fun chasing each other, also evoking the rivalry that rages in the dance world. They continue their burlesque number in the middle of the spectators.

Rollers (Hungary)

One of them is a carrier, while the second is a flyer. Rollerblades, they perform at high speed, breathtaking paintings on a circular podium. The most impressive figure is the one in which we see the two skaters performing pirouettes, hung by the neck.

Unicycles (Japan)

Choreography by six young Japanese girls on a unicycle. A twirling show where, at high speed, their red skirts turn into umbrellas. Lots of grace and femininity in this balance-defying number.

Rolas (Argentina)

This group of six young women from Argentina makes us discover the use of the weapon used by the gauchos in the pampas. Bolas are the weapons used to capture animals by restraining their legs. They are made up of several balls joined together by a link and are part of the traditional heritage of South American circuses.
Usually a masculine discipline, this number shows a charming use that unites grace and dexterity.

Back to the origins of Cirque Phénix

Inaugurated in the year 2000, the Cirque Phénix, created by Alain M. Pacherie, is aimed at audiences of all generations.
From 2002, he decided not to present any more animals. This upheaval will have serious consequences in the minds of spectators who were used to dressage numbers.
To make a smooth transition, it was decided to stage giant puppets representing animals. They are made by artisans and often appear larger than life.
Alain M. Pacherie’s other requirement is mastery and originality of acrobatic numbers. To do this, he travels the world in search of outstanding acts, meeting young people who have made the circus the engine of their lives.

Cirque Phénix is ​​exporting

Each show is a journey around the world: in Asia, Africa, America or Europe. The very good quality of the numbers allowed Cirque Phénix to win 2 calls for tenders against its American, Canadian or Chinese competitors. The calls for tenders were for the renovation of the Shanghai Acrobatic Theater and the creation of the show that would be hosted. The show “ERA 2” was to inaugurate the building in April 2020 but, following the pandemic, it was not until June 19, 2021.

The show “ERA 2” brings together Chinese acrobats and new scenography technologies.
Sold out in Shanghai, it has become the city’s must-attend event.

TOUR

Province :: (On tour) January 21, 2022 – February 20, 2022.

35 In Bruz on Saturday December 18, 2021, Musikhall
92 In Courbevoie on Friday January 21, 2022, Center Evenementiel Courbevoie
33 In Merignac from Saturday 22 January 2022 to Sunday 23 January 2022, Le Pin Galant
31 In Toulouse on Friday January 28, 2022, Zenith Toulouse Metropole
13 In Marseille on Saturday January 29, 2022, Le Cepac Silo
34 In Montpellier on Sunday January 30, 2022, Zenith Sud
21 In Dijon on Thursday 3 February 2022, Zenith De Dijon
38 In Grenoble on Friday February 4, 2022, Summum
42 In Saint Etienne on Saturday 5 February 2022, Zénith De Saint Etienne
63 In Clermont Ferrand on Sunday February 6, 2022, Zenith D'Auvergne
01 In Bourg en Bresse on Friday 11 February 2022, Ainterexpo - Hall Ekinox
69 In Lyon on Saturday February 12, 2022, Halle Tony Garnier
44 In Nantes on Friday February 18, 2022, Zénith Nantes Métropole
35 In Rennes on Saturday 19 February 2022, Le Liberte
35 In Rennes on Saturday 19 February 2022, Le Liberte - Rennes
37 In Tours on Sunday 20 February 2022, Palais Des Congres De Tours

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