Les Foutoukours have been creating beautiful and engaging circus in Quebec for over 25 years. Having attended the last few Fringes (with a mandatory break for COVID), they have racked up countless four and five-star reviews and accolades. By championing traditional circus clowning, they bring a gentle innocence back to the art form that is often missing from more bombastic, acrobatic shows.
NoVa is like a warm hug of a show.
Directed by company co-founder Rémi Jacques and performed by graduates of Montreal’s National Circus School, Emma Verhaeghe and Joaquim Verrier, NoVa is the simple story of two clowns trying to stay warm on a cold night. The stage is littered with boxes, books, and gently flickering candles and our two protagonists entertain each other by juggling boxes and balancing books. It’s a delightful, paced performance, with the two clowns conveying every emotion and frustration through body language and non-verbal exclamations. However the playfulness is threatened when the candles begin to extinguish and we follow a desperate attempt to find a way to bring back the warmth.
Featuring cigar box juggling, gentle but impressive acrobalance, and a great deal of messing around, NoVa is like a warm hug of a show. Verhaeghe and Verrier are both adorable and hilarious, with Verhaeghe stealing the show momentarily with some excellent face and an extended running gag where she tries to climb a small stair. Verrier steals it right back though, with the cutest tantrum ever portrayed on stage. This is a true double act, with both clowns having moments to show off their individual strengths and shine.
With its simple, easy to follow interactions, it’s the perfect introduction to circus for the little ones and is an enthralling, yet simple story for older children. I loved it – it made me feel like a child again.
