Le Figaro1 November 1999
"Mélanges-Opéra Plume"
A marvellous befeathered thing
François de SANTERRE
Since 1983, the Cirque Plume has never ceased to amaze us. Once again, it succeeds in surprising and enchanting us. Its new show "Mélanges-Opéra Plume", a group creation based on an idea by Bernard Kudlak, is situated somewhere between heaven and earth. Between an angel of No Fixed Abode and No Fixed God, and a bunch of rather ordinary earthlings who, however, each in their own genre, in their style and in their technique, gives a special twist to our way of dreaming. The word circus here is what you see and what you get. The techniques of juggling, acrobatics or flying trapeze are totally respected. Their chief originality is the way in which they are all brought into the gigantic mixer. And to succeed in linking them together what could be better than humour. You are surprised by parody, unexpected gags, intense and explosive, take you unawares, quite irresistible as, for example, a scene of levitation with the help of a double-bass which is as good as any big conjuring act.
In speaking of the show we should avoid the term circus acts because the Cirque Plume’s imposing big-top houses tiered-seating arranged in a half-moon and a multi-level stage. This set-up greatly facilitated the staging of dance mime and music. The first of these three arts is particularly present in a languorous pas de deux in which the lady, a modern dancer, plays with the hats of her juggler-partner. As for the music composed by Robert Miny, it is omnipresent. The brass section is in the hands of three young women who are also singers, and the electric guitar gets along fine with the accordion. Even the squeeze-box has a few surprises in store for you! As for the Angel, to the great delight of all, he loses a few feathers in the course of this show which is both hilarious and poetic.