Two-star chef Alexandre Gauthier and artist Johann Le Guillerm are kindred spirits. Both artists love to explore, tinker, and create: One does this with aroma, flavor, and consistency; the other with dynamic gadgets and moving objects.
And what happens when the two get together? You do get something to eat but you get it in a way you've never experienced before. For example, you have to fold your own dishes. Your dessert becomes part of a mechanical experiment and takes a little trip on its napkin. You might need to lick your fingers. Everything is well thought out, sophisticated, perfectly composed and delivered with instructions. It is a meal full of surprises that becomes an experience which playfully breaks with etiquette and current conventions. Whether you behave as a theater guest or as at dinner guest, we leave that up to you.
Concept & Scenography: Johann Le Guillerm Culinary Translation: Alexandre Gauthier Maître de Cuisine: Marie-Josée Ordener (Assistents: Laurent Mercier, Emilie Lecoester, Aurélie Ramet) Service: Selma Noret-Terraz, Mathilde Gentil, Amandine Gilbert, Sylvain Ligot Lighting Design: Hervé Gary Sound: Thomas Belhom Management: Manu Majastre Stagemanager: Pauline Lamache Sound Engineering: Julien Reboux Stage Construction: Jean-Marc Bernard, Silvain Ohl Equipment: Fanny Gautreau, Pauline Lamache, Julie Lesas Stainless Steel Prop Design & Production: Didier
Translation Subtext Dòra Kapusta, Sara Fischer Voice Kathrin Veith
Deret Production Cirque ici | Johann Le Guillerm Coproduction Plateforme 2 Pôles Cirque en Normandie – La Brèche à Cherbourg et le Cirque Théâtre d’Elbeuf; Agora – Centre Culturel PNC, Boulazac Aquitaine; Le Channel – scène nationale de Calais; Le Volcan – Scène nationale du Havre; Théâtre de Sénart, scène nationale – Scène nationale de l’Essonne; Agora Desnos – Théâtre de Corbeil-Essonnes Grand Paris Sud; Le Carré Magique Pôle national des Arts du Cirque en Bretagne; Cirque Jules Verne – Pôle National Cirque et Arts de la Rue – Amiens; Archaos, Pôle Nationale des Arts du Cirque Méditerranée, Marseille; Pôle Régional Cirque Le Mans; Les Quinconces-L’espal, Scène nationale Le Mans; Tandem – Scène nationale / Les 2 scènes – scène nationale de Besançon Residences La Brèche, Cherbourg Pôle National des Arts du Cirque en Normandie; Jardin d’Agronomie Tropicale, Paris; La Fonderie, Le Mans; L’ Agora, Pôle National Cirque Boulazac, Aquitaine; Le Channel Scène Produktion Cirque ici | Johann Le Guillerm Koproduktion Plateforme
2 Pôles Cirque en Normandie – La Brèche à Cherbourg et le Cirque Théâtre d’Elbeuf; Agora – Centre Culturel PNC, Boulazac Aquitaine; Le Channel – scène nationale de Calais; Le Volcan – Scène nationale du Havre; Théâtre de Sénart, scène nationale – Scène nationale de l’Essonne; Agora Desnos – Théâtre de Corbeil-Essonnes Grand Paris Sud; Le Carré Magique Pôle national des Arts du Cirque en Bretagne; Cirque Jules Verne – Pôle National Cirque et Arts de la Rue – Amiens; Archaos, Pôle Nationale des Arts du Cirque Méditerranée, Marseille; Pôle Régional Cirque Le Mans; Les Quinconces-L’espal, Scène nationale Le Mans; Tandem – Scène nationale / Les 2 scènes – scène nationale de Besançon Residenzen La Brèche, Cherbourg Pôle National des Arts du Cirque en Normandie; Jardin d’Agronomie Tropicale, Paris; La Fonderie, Le Mans; L’ Agora, Pôle National Cirque Boulazac, Aquitaine; Le Channel Scène Nationale de Calais; Cirque Théâtre Elbeuf, Pôle National des Arts du Cirque en Normandie Support Ministère de la Culture (DGCA + DRAC Ile-de-France); Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires Etrangères (Institut Français); Conseil régional d’Ile-de-France; Ville de Paris; l’Institut Français, Ville de Paris Research stay Jardin d’Agronomie Tropicale, Mairie de Paris (Direction de la Culture et Direction des Espaces Verts et de l’Environnement)
Frenchman Johann Le Guillerm is one of the most outstanding and at the same time atypical personalities of contemporary circus. He works at the fringes of the genre and proves that those who attempt to limit circus to its devices and disciplines, fall short. Le Guillerm, on the one hand, proceeds with the rigor of a scientist, and on the other, utilizes a skillset worthy of a poetic magician. His artistic universe includes sculptures, constructions, exhibitions, and performances.
This year’s festival presents a four-part showcase of his work: "Terces," a umbrella piece in which Le Guillerm deconstructs the workings of the circus; "Encatation," a production in which he collaborates with 2-star chef Alexandre Gauthier for a feast of the senses; "Transumante," an open air performance lasting several hours; and "La Calasoif," a mechanical sculpture on display at the Stadtmuseum.
In 1994, Le Guillerm created his first solo piece under the name of his company "Cirque ici". From that moment on, he has tirelessly developed a unique approach and innovative methods of exploration and invention. He did this while traveling halfway around the world with his projects. In France, he has been awarded the highest honors: "Grand Prix National du Cirque" (1996), "Grand Prix des Arts du Cirque SACD" (2005) and "Grand Prix SACD" (2017).
Johann Le Guillerm has only been seen once in German-speaking Switzerland, in 1993 at the Theater spectacle in Zurich, with the legendary "Cirque O". By the way, the producer of Cirque O was Ueli Hirzel, who graciously accepted our invitation to appear at cirqu'9 as an artist.