Returning to Durban to inject theatre and circus audiences with another dose of their fantastic contemporary circus show, the French Reunion Cirquons Flex begins their national tour at the Courtyard Theatre for one night only on Thursday, 15 September 2016.
The duo, who presented the whimsical story: Points De Suspension last year, brings an exciting fresh new production: La Pli I Donn. Brought to Durban by the Alliance Française de Durban in partnership with the Durban University of Technology and the French Institute in South Africa (IFAS), La Pli I Donn)brings together four acrobats from Reunion Island, Madagascar and South Africa- countries close geographically yet each rich in their own unique influences and characteristics. The Reunionese Company has included two talents to make this year’s show an international collaboration. Joining them are acrobats Maheriniaina Pierre Ranaivoson of Chapitô from Madagascar and Zip Zap Circus’ Lizo James from Cape Town.
In Reunion creole, “la pli i donn” is an expression which means ‘it’s pouring with rain’. This project opens up a dialogue that is prevalent in but not unique to Reunion Island. It explores and celebrates an intercultural exchange around the diversities of the Indian Ocean region with a script enriched by the particularities of circus performance.
Vincent Frontczyk, Director for Alliance Française de Durban stated, “We are extremely proud to be bringing this collaboration back to South Africa. Last year Cirquons Flex had such a whirlwind tour that not many people had the privilege of experiencing this act. We are delighted that, by popular demand, Virginie and Vincent return with a different offering, and bring some friends to accompany them on stage. The team will also be doing a handful of workshops while they are here in Durban where they will be spending time with students from the DUT Drama and Production Department, exposing them to the ways of international artists”, he said.
This tour of Southern Africa has been made possible through a partnership between Cirquons Flex, The French Institute of South Africa, the French Indian Ocean Department of Cultural Affairs, the Reunion Province, the Alliance Française Network of Southern Africa and venue partners in each city.
Tickets are sold at R50 per person. For advance booking, please contact the Alliance Française on (031) 312 9582 or purchase tickets at the door while stocks last.
– Sophie Thompson/ Publicity Matters
Pictured: A scene from the La Pli I Donn.
