2024-01-22 22:59:58
“It’s not something that is done in churches in France,” rejoices Nin Khelifa, before swinging on a rope in the heights of the Saint-Charles church, in Limoilou.
“It’s interesting to take a place and divert its use, especially when it’s a place that carries so much history, rules and dogmas, like a church,” says the French woman, interviewed Monday by Le Journal, during a Circus Machine demonstration session.
It is in the form of a circus parade show entitled Grand-Mess’directed by Martin Genest, that the 14 performers will jump, climb and hover, all over the Saint-Charles church.
Seesaw artists during Circus Machine demonstrations. Alexander Caputo
“I like the irreverence with which we work. The idea of presenting something so explosive in such a strict place is exciting,” she maintains.
To succeed in setting up Grand-Mess’, which will be presented starting January 31, the members of the Cirque Machine team have installed stands where some of the church pews are usually located. They then covered a good part of the remaining area with a raised stage, accessible by a runway, similar to those at fashion shows, which cuts the stands in two.
“Recreating the sacred”
Far are the intentions, behind this concept of Circus Machine, to lack respect for the different beliefs of the population. According to the playwright of the show, Jean-Philippe Lehoux, it is rather regarding creating a new style of spirituality.
“Interest in what is sacred is declining in our society. Our goal is to recreate something that is sacred, but in our own way, rather than undoing what is sacred for others,” he says.
“Like that, there is something spiritual in what we see,” he notes enthusiastically, pointing to an acrobat who is holding on to one hand, his feet in the air, pressing his colleague’s head.
The show Grand-Mess’, by Machine de Cirque, will be presented from January 31 to February 24, at the Saint-Charles church in Limoilou.
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