Acrobats, burlesque actors, dancers, singers and musicians: Great weather along the route! Cirque Plume presents its final show, in true final bouquet splendor. We know how enjoyable the signature song “Plume” is, and here, Benoit Schick's score makes “The Last Season” a complete treat.

When we step back, it is better to leave behind beautiful memories. Therefore, by announcing its “final show” and “final season,” Cirque Plume is taking a risk. But he faced it brilliantly. The “final season” will likely turn into an Indian summer with the tour already wrapping up until the end of October 2019. And at La Villette the available venues are scarce, while the shows are there until December 30th.

Since the founding of Cirque Plume in the early 1980s, Bernard Kudlak, its artistic director, has always championed the poetic tone of performances full of humanity, humor and tenderness. With “The Last Season,” he closed a major chapter in great top art. And with its own tent the troupe is set up in La Villette, a tent theater where you can watch the performance live, like in a theater, while enjoying the circus atmosphere.

A tribute to humans as animals

“The Last Season” pays homage… to the season. But also the era of Evolution, the relationship between humans and nature, animals and quarrels, Santa Claus, and many others. We encounter bizarre contortionists, rebellious acrobats, a German-language carnival, Japanese-inspired backdrops, glowing umbrellas, and most importantly a Ringmaster who transforms into a gorilla, lion, elephant. Unspeakably, Cyril Casmèze, a very unique “zoomorphic acrobat” even lent his stomach to make a pumpkin.

“Final Season” by Cirque Plume © Yves Petit

All of these “last season” performers are extraordinary, of course in their mastery of the body, but also as characters, burlesque or poetic, animalistic like La Fontaine or a burlesque wrestler. When it doesn't turn into a walking musical instrument, it looks as if it came straight out of a surrealist drawing by Roland Topor. We see them quarreling or parading in procession, which gives these burlesque frescoes an air of pagan ritual and mystery. The image factory is running at full speed…

Circus concert

The rhythm of change continues, between Shakespearean atmospheres – poetic and lively – alternating with burlesque bickering. And who says rhythm, says music. “The Last Season” also stands out for the skill of the composition and the moving quality of its singers. Rock or African atmosphere, song, jazz or folk, each tune gets special attention here, while the music is often unrelated to circus performances. Not here! This show is also a real treat for the music lovers among us.

“Final Season” by Cirque Plume © Yves Petit

It will be increasingly difficult to say goodbye to Cirque Plume. And if certain artists have announced, on multiple occasions, their “final shows,” we can take Kudlak at his word. His skill and the absolute quality of his work also show that he does not use the words “last” or “last” lightly. We'll skip Cirque Plume. But his announced departure is also part of the beauty of his journey, and is an artistic act in itself, the icing on the cake under the hood. We've been tasting it for more than three decades. So here's one last piece that remains to be tasted. With pleasure…

Thomas Hahn

Composition, music: Benoit Schick
Costume: Nadia Genez
Lights: Fabrice Crouzet
Voice: Jean-François Monnier