This year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival is set to be transformed into fantastical farmland as the globally acclaimed Cirque Alfonse from Canada presents the Australian premiere of their 5-star hit show, ‘Animal’—a unique blend of circus, music, dance, and theatre.
Headlining at The Garden of Unearthly Delights from Friday the 16th of February to Sunday the 17th of March, Cirque Alfonse, renowned for their innovative and heartwarming performances, promises a farm fantasy that captivates both young and old.
Their latest creation, ‘Animal’, is a vibrant mix of traditional and soul music, dubbed ‘agricultural funk’, set to an original soundtrack that keeps audiences tapping their feet and perched on the edge of their seats for the entire 75 minutes.
Antoine Carabinier, Artistic Director for Cirque Alfonse, is excited about the troupe’s return to Adelaide.
‘We were last here performing Barbu and super pumped to return’, says Carabinier. ‘We love Adelaide and can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the Festival and city over the season, but most importantly, it is one of our favourite places to perform in the world, and we are thrilled to present our new show, ‘Animal’ to our fans’.
The show features surreal farm fables at its core, turning the agricultural world on its head with a whimsical narrative, a world where the familiar farm is re-imagined—chickens with teeth, menacing ducks, and uproarious cows, all coming to life in a spectacular fashion.
‘Animal’ is set to transform clichés and bring a touch of irreverence to the rural life we thought we knew, delivering impressive circus acts infused with the company’s signature comic touch. It’s the perfect family-friendly show and a must-experience for anyone with a fondness for imaginative storytelling and high-flying circus acts.
‘Our family history has inspired this show; having been raised on a small farm—we wanted to pay homage to our past and the fun we had growing up’, says Carabinier.
The Cirque Alfonse troupe, hailing from Quebec, Canada and consisting of the Carabinier-Lépine family and friends, infuses each of their creations with a distinct Québec flair, drawing on national folklore and adding a contemporary twist.
‘We have toured this show in nine countries over the last two and a half years, performing more than 175 shows to more than 100 thousand people!’, says Carabinier.
‘We are a family circus troupe. To travel the globe doing something you are so passionate about with the family you love is such an exciting adventure. ‘Animal’ is jam-packed full of entertainment and fun; it is unlike anything you have seen before—we hope you love it’, said Carabinier.
After captivating audiences globally with shows like ‘Timber!’, ‘Barbu’, and ‘Tabarnak’, Cirque Alfonse is back to wow audiences at this year’s Fringe. With tickets now on sale, locals and Fringe travellers alike are encouraged to book early, as this unique season is expected to sell out fast.
‘Animal’ by Cirque Alfonse is a journey to a re-imagined world and an experience that promises to be a highlight of this year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024. As described by THE STAGE (London, UK), ‘Animal’ is ‘Ridiculous, unadulterated fun. It’s a wonderful, family-friendly hour of nonsense, elevated by true originality, brazen nerve and a mechanical bull.’
What: Cirque Alfonse – Animal.
Where: The Roundhouse at The Garden of Unearthly Delights.
When: Friday 16th February to Sunday 17th March.
For tickets and more info, click here.