Archaos (circus)
Encyclopedia
Archaos is a French contemporary circus
created by Pierrot Bidon
in 1986. It is an alternative, theatrical circus without animals, featuring dangerous stunts like chainsaw
juggling, fire breathing
, wall of death, etc. Archaos found fame in the UK through Pierrot's association with Adrian Evans, who promoted the company there. Shows have included Chapiteau des Cordes, Bouinax, BX91 and Metal Clown. Archaos sold out for 12 weeks on Clapham Common
in 1990, following a UK tour.
The 1991 tour of Metal Clown encountered financial difficulties after the tent was destroyed by gales in Tallaght, Dublin. This, and a number of artistic differences, led to the demise of Archaos. A number of Brits who trained with the company have gone on to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, with companies such as Mischief La-Bas and Flambeaux & The P-Cult.
Archaos also helped inspire the British New Circus movement, led by companies like Mamaloucos (formed in 1996), who went on to collaborate with the Royal National Theatre
.
In September 2010, an exhibition in London displayed the Archaos archive of films, photos, audio, etc. Ex-members travelled from all over the world to be at the five-day event. The exhibition was held in memory of Archaos founder Pierrot Bidon, who died earlier in the year. A website hosting the Archaos archive will come online in early 2011.
Archaos website
Contemporary circus
Contemporary circus, or nouveau cirque , is a genre of performing art developed in the later 20th century in which a story or a theme is conveyed through traditional circus skills. Animals are rarely used in this type of circus, and traditional circus skills are blended with a more character-driven...
created by Pierrot Bidon
Pierrot Bidon
Pierrot Bidon was a circus promoter. He formed circus troupe Archaos in 1984 and the Circus of Horrors in 1995.-References:...
in 1986. It is an alternative, theatrical circus without animals, featuring dangerous stunts like chainsaw
Chainsaw
A chainsaw is a portable mechanical saw, powered by electricity, compressed air, hydraulic power, or most commonly a two-stroke engine...
juggling, fire breathing
Fire breathing
Fire breathing is the act of creating a fireball by breathing a fine mist of fuel over an open flame. Proper technique and the correct fuel create the illusion of danger to enhance the novelty of fire breathing, while reducing the risk to health and safety...
, wall of death, etc. Archaos found fame in the UK through Pierrot's association with Adrian Evans, who promoted the company there. Shows have included Chapiteau des Cordes, Bouinax, BX91 and Metal Clown. Archaos sold out for 12 weeks on Clapham Common
Clapham Common
Clapham Common is an 89 hectare triangular area of grassland situated in south London, England. It was historically common land for the parishes of Battersea and Clapham, but was converted to parkland under the terms of the Metropolitan Commons Act 1878.43 hectares of the common are within the...
in 1990, following a UK tour.
The 1991 tour of Metal Clown encountered financial difficulties after the tent was destroyed by gales in Tallaght, Dublin. This, and a number of artistic differences, led to the demise of Archaos. A number of Brits who trained with the company have gone on to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, with companies such as Mischief La-Bas and Flambeaux & The P-Cult.
Archaos also helped inspire the British New Circus movement, led by companies like Mamaloucos (formed in 1996), who went on to collaborate with the Royal National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
.
In September 2010, an exhibition in London displayed the Archaos archive of films, photos, audio, etc. Ex-members travelled from all over the world to be at the five-day event. The exhibition was held in memory of Archaos founder Pierrot Bidon, who died earlier in the year. A website hosting the Archaos archive will come online in early 2011.
External links
www.archaos.info launched in March 2011 archiving the Archaos story 1988 - 1992Archaos website