“Wit, invention, style,and virtuosity: “Cocorico” has real artistry and a poetic sensibility that understands why we need laughter.” – The Herald

A funny Frenchman? Yeah right. A funny French mime? Don’t make me laugh!

But you will laugh because “Cocorico” will have you in stitches from the start.

Patrice Thibaud and Phillipe Leygnac are impeccably paired as classic funny man-straight man comedy duo. Small and dapper, Leygnac is the passive, sidekick to the larger, genially exuberant Thibaud.

An accomplished musician and contortionist, Leygnac plays ragtime, classical, jazz and film soundtracks on a variety of instruments, with constant interruption from Thibaud, principle mime and overgrown child of a partner who persists in pestering him until he can take no more. And it is this relationship, filled with hilarious non-stop sparring and one-upmanship that drives the show.

From its wonderfully surprising opening act through to adept cycling techniques, a spaghetti western, a funny shadow duck play, and crazy circus, this duo will have you marvelling at their ability to conjure up a whole world of illusions out of nothing, with no words and very few props.

What takes the show beyond being just a series of sketches is their astutely observed situations, and that the constant break-up and make-up of their relationship reflects the interchange of human lives; our hopes, fears and utter ridiculousness as human beings.

Can the masquerade of career, family and consumeristic bliss conceal the desolation as love and ideals quietly lose its fairy-tale sheen?

Two model couples living in a big city – a lawyer and his trophy wife, a businessman and an author – cross paths when their sons had a small fight. What begins as a civilised discussion between parents quickly dissolved into a dramatic chaos of accusation and infighting. You will laugh and cry in this comical tale about the bitterness in marriages and parenting.

“Beautiful, moving and dangerous, Compagnie IETO reinvents the possibilities of life in bold strokes of lyrical imagery and movement. Mesmerising. ” – Total Theatre (UK)

Mosi Espinoza and Fnico Feldmann take us to lofty new heights in an inventive show that combines tightrope and acrobatic skills with street-dance, mime, comedy – and wooden benches!

The scene is set with subdued lighting and a long wooden bench; the two men sitting on it as if waiting for a bus. Each has a character: Espinoza, a goofy grin and curious demeanour, and Feldmann, in contrast, cool and austere.

Espinoza eagerly tries to befriend his stern counterpart, who snubs him by exploding in a whirl of speedy, light footed back-flips and cartwheels, to which of course, he must respond.

And so ensues an ingeniously flowing and constantly changing sequence of body curls and flying jumps that navigate the show into an impressive exhibition of equilibrist skills performed on up-ended benches that are climbed, hung from, raced along, and balanced upon with the ease and agility of wild monkey’s.

The command of equilibrium and timing, let alone trust, is pushed further when they form a giant T out of two benches, race up it, and use it like a see-saw with such fearless precision that you’re left gripping the edge of your seat.

Supported by Le French May, the master class was intended for a large audience wishing to understand more about street dance. The master class introduced street dance techniques and some creative ways to choreograph so that each participant can develop a unique style. Participants were also invited to see this company’s performance. KÄFIG Dance Company was formed in 1996 by Mourad Merzouki. Born in Lyon in 1973, Merzouki started his training in circus and martial arts from the age of seven. When he was fifteen, he discovered hip-hop and began exploring the world of dance. His Company has received critical acclaims for its innovative performances.

California-born Carolyn Carlson is an internationally renowned choreographer who has wowed audiences with works that are landmarks in the history of dance. She arrived in France in 1971 as the beneficiary of Alwin Nikolais’s ideas on movement, composition and teaching, and from 1974-1980 served as Etoile-Choregraphe at the Paris Opera Ballet. For the last four decades she has played an integral role in the birth of French contemporary dance, or as she terms it, ‘visual poetry’. The creator of more than 100 original dance pieces, she received the first ever Golden Lion given to a choreographer by the Venice Biennale in 2006. Today she is the director of the National Choreographic Centre Roubaix Nord- Pas-de-Calais, and the Atelier de Paris-Carolyn Carlson, which offers master classes and support to young dancers and choreographers. Carlson first performed her now legendary solo piece “Blue Lady” in 1983 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Inspired by Venice, and becoming a mother at 40, it was such a huge success that she continued to perform it for ten years. Fascinated by onnagata, the traditional Japanese dance where a man plays the role of a woman, she handed the piece over to Finnish dancer Tero Saarinen, who first performed it at the Lyon Dance Biennale in 2008. Saarinen began his dance career with the Finnish National Ballet in 1985. In 1996 he founded his own group, and has gained critical acclaim and received numerous international awards for his outstanding performances, including a Pro Finlanda Medal in 2005, the most prestigious recognition given to artists in Finland. Charismatic with an angular body that has been shaped by different dance disciplines, Saarinen’s exceptional movements are further enhanced by swirling fabrics, and the skilful use of hats and venetian blinds. Carlson’s fascinating self portrait, spanning childhood to old age is illuminated to perfection and accompanied by the rhythmical music of Rene Aubry.

Cyprien Chabert is a three-dimensional sculptor and one of the most promising and emblematic French artists of his generation.

His exhibition “Dogs Meow” tells the story of a remote island he has discovered. Mankind has deserted the island, making it a paradise on earth for wild animals. Now, the artist invites you to the Island. Amidst the harmonious sounds of the animals, there is one that doesn’t quite fit in to the blissful paradise – a continuously barking dog.

If you see the dog, please make it stop or meow!