So, how does a young woman from Belgium end up performing at the Fringe asone of the new members of a French-Canadian acrobatic clown troop? EmmaVerhaeghe’s story begins in childhood.
Nova is a tale about hope and perseverance
Meet Emma, one of the artists in NoVa, the latest production from Les Foutoukours. It’s
the result of two years of work which has seen the founders Rémi Jacques and Jean-
Félix Bélanger, pass on decades of artistic experience to a new generation of
emerging artists. Emma, and fellow performer Joaquim Verrier, are graduates of the
National Circus School of Montreal. But to become a clown always, there is always a
longer story.
Emma grew up in a small village in the heart of Belgium, where her main occupation
was talking to sheep and rabbits and racing wheelbarrows. One day, she put the
wheelbarrow aside and bought a bike. She went faster and further. She stopped by the
music school, and two hours later she came out with a French horn that was more or
less the same size as her. She grew up and joined the local brass band. Walking to the
rhythm of the music, she did a nice somersault after stumbling on the cobblestones.
Was it an instinctive talent for real acrobatics?
So, she traded the French horn for magnesium. Gymnastics gave her strength and
flexibility, she even competed in the European Acrosport Championship in 2015. She
was 18 years old.
What would be the next challenge?
She asked for help from the Circus Arts Center Balthazar in Montpellier. A year later,
she flew to the National Circus School in Montreal. Once she graduated as an
handstand specialist, the question remained: where is the fun in circus? Where’s is the
imagination?
Surely with the clowns! Emma met the directors of Les Foutoukours and learned to
combine high level circus with clowning. All her childhood experiences have proved
invaluable on stage, bringing out a playfulness of character, full of dreams and curiosity.
Nova is a tale about hope and perseverance. In a soft, magical atmosphere filled with
flickering candles and stacks of books the acrobats seek to preserve the flame of life.
Nowadays, people need to see examples of relationships where gentleness, love,
friendship, and collaboration move the story forward. Clown art allows this through its
universality and openness to others. All while adding laughter and joy to a touching
story.
