The Balancing Act

CEBU, Philippines- The first French Pop Circus to keep  Cebuanos on the edge of their seats for 55 minutes was a jaw-dropping crowd-pleaser that doesn't need flashy costumes, trained animals and fire breathers to entertain but simply run a show with a trio cast and some wood boards as props to a full house.

The circus company Chabatz d' Entrar has been in the performing arts loop for 14 years being founded in Limousin, France in 1997. Over the years, the company has hastened its talents in the field of contemporary performing arts, mainly focusing on acrobatics.

Their new production called Mobile is an acrobatic performance that basically uses Kapla wooden boards, an astounding exhibition of impromptu assembly and limitless use of props, and the most challenging is the balancing act. The performer takes on a role with humor, identifying it as situation comedy with circus acts. 

Three pros, namely, Damien Caufepe, Oliver Leger and Cyril Tille showed such choreography that defy body equilibrium i.e. posture while performing techniques. According to ambafrance-ph.org (Embassy of France in Manila website), "Equilibrium, board dance, articulated mobiles, counterweights, juggling with beakers are part of the feats and skills of these amazing performers." Their dedicated focus and teamwork is clearly manifested on how they showcase their art that is famous in Europe.

Show starts by establishing the main props, wood planks, each carried by the performers - feeling its weight (carrying/lifting/dragging), texture (touching/caressing) and length. Then, the main event begins. To those who weren't able to witness this first ever French pop circus held last Saturday in Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center sponsored by Alliance Francaise de Cebu (a French cultural institute and language center) in close cooperation with the said mall, here are photos for your entertainment.

Bravo!