Paperplane takes flight
as La Tohu’s season closes

Experience a journey to the heart of life with this modern circus spectacle

By Sophie Jama

April 11, 2025

It’s interesting to note that current circus shows are increasingly exploring themes of life. Paperplane, which closes the season at La Tohu, perfectly illustrates this trend by offering a reflection on the cycle of existence. The show evokes a journey from birth to death, punctuated by chance encounters in airports, where letters, photos, and tissues take on a special value, serving as precious links or comfort in the face of absence.

Punctuated with numerous songs, the show exudes a poetic and nostalgic atmosphere.

The stage is magnificently designed, with a multitude of white paper sheets, light and airy, that seem to dance with the artists. Vast drapes descend from the flies, while colourful kites fly above the audience, creating an almost magical atmosphere. Video projections punctuate the narrative, evoking childhood memories, scenes of crowds, and the feverish anticipation of a flight. While the beginning may seem a little slow, the whole gains fluidity and leaves the audience with a positive and lasting impression.

The eight artists, suitcases in hand, cross paths, meet, sometimes forming friendships, romances, or even starting families. A baseball-themed sequence, although somewhat surprising, adds a touch of lightness and allows the artists to demonstrate their juggling and illusionist talents.

‘Acrobatic dance, wheel, aerial straps, hoop… the feats are numerous and varied.’

These circus acts truly capture the attention. Acrobatic dance, wheel, aerial straps, hoop… the feats are numerous and varied. A grand piano, on which an artist plays and sings, also becomes a playground for acrobats and equilibrists.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the show lies in the musical talents of the artists. In addition to their circus skills, they all seem to master an instrument – violin, guitar, piano – and are even able to sing while performing incredible acrobatics, without ever appearing breathless. This performance is particularly impressive and demonstrates their strength and mastery.

Paperplane

Théâtre Advienne que Pourra

Artists :
Myriam Deraiche – Hand to hand
Samuel Charlton – Hand to hand
Bobby cookson – Cyr wheel
Evelyne Laforest – Dance, hula hoop, balance
Marceau Bidal – Aerial straps
Hyppolyte – protagonist
Alexandra Royer – Hoop
Sarah Leblanc-Gosselin – voice-piano

A creation by Frédéric Bélanger and Émilie Émiroglou
Director: Frédéric Bélanger
Creative direction and acrobatic designer: Émilie Émiroglou
Acrobatic designer: Nicolas Germaine
Sound designers and composers: Groupe Gustafson | Adrien Bletton et Jean-Philippe Perras
Costumes : Sarah Balleux
Dance: Janie et Marcio
Accessories: Félix Plante
Video Designer: Lawrence Dupuis
Kite Designer: Robert Trépanier

Paperplane
April 10 to 21, 2025
La Tohu, Montréal

Images:  Courtesy of La Tohu

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Sophie Jama holds a PhD in anthropology and a master’s degree in comparative literature. She has published several works in Québec and France. For the past fifteen years, she has covered Montreal’s cultural scene in theater, dance, circus, and other performing arts.