P E L O U S E D E R E U I L L Y
Meet the circus giants: Pinder and Arlette Gruss
When each year at the end of october the first trucks of
Pinder-Jean Richard arrive on the Pelouse de Reuilly it is just the timid beginning of the Parisian winter circus season: Directly next to Pinder the Cirque Phénix starts its set-up two weeks later. And at the end of November the very last free space disappears, too: Also the Arlette Gruss circus joins its «colleagues» for about three weeks. Three – oftenly even four – with each other competing big circuses at the same time succesfully on one place, that is only possible in Paris!
► Cirque Pinder-Jean Richard: «Le Royaume des Animaux»
Pinder counts on its size and owns a big top with a capacity of 5'000 seats for Paris only. During the tour through the province in summer it could hardly be justified for logistic reasons. Here in the capital the enterprice installs additionally its two smaller tour chapiteaux et al. to exhibit its historic circus vehicles. Outside the spectators see dozens of very modern special transporters around the tents – only to Paris Pinder comes with really everything it has!
The imposing impression continues in the programme; who is looking for melancholy moments searches in vain in Pinder's «huge top». But the spectator experiences a spectacular high-speed show. In the centre of marketing is Frédéric Edelstein and the – according to his information – world-wide largest big cat group, which consists of 16 lions and tigers. Edelstein knows why he has to perform sovereignly: In June 2005 he shortly lost track during his act – after that he had to have a break for injury reasons for six months. Frédéric is the son of director Gilbert Edelstein. What a father feels when he watches his junior working in the cage, we would like to know from him. «Much pride but also some worries», he answers resigningly. «But here, you know, we are making circus and no theatre!» Daughter Sophie has – when we overlook her muscular assistents – chosen a less dangerous genre: Illusions.
Besides the big cats perform also camels, horses, donkeys, goats and sea lions during the show. Also the three skilful African elephant ladies Tembo (24), Suna (21), the «little» Lili (16) and two German shepherds take part. They come with its trainer Ronald Spindler from the German Berolina circus. Not only the animals show best performances at Pinder, but also the human artists. There is e.g. Acrobalance, an exciting ground acrobatic, whose aesthetical style does not correspond to the level of difficulty. Classic clowns are in France an absolute must and sometimes even the final act: In Pinder's ring Les Balders from Germany vies with much ballyhoo for the audience's favour. Acrobatic highlights can be experienced especially in the air: From Brazil the Flying Baetas with their spectacular flying trapeze and the triple salto mortale, from Columbia Crazy Wilson in the rotating wheel of death as well as from Spain the big and legendary Castilla troupe on the highwire.
► Cirque Arlette Gruss: «Délires»
Gruss is one of the international most popular circus dynasties. Actually two renowned enterprices belong to the family in France. Arlette Gruss, the undisputed Grande Dame of the French circus world, built up the bigger one since 1985. Since she passed away this year on January 2nd (even France's president Jacques Chirac condoled deeply moved) her son Gilbert manages the skills of her life's work. Like Pinder's is also Gruss' travelling zoo equiped with outside enclosures for almost all animals (see box to the left) which get along with the cool Parisian winter climate. But otherwise the both circuses embody conceptional contrasts as they can not be larger: Arlette Gruss concentrates not on gigantism but above all on atmosphere, style and charme. What that means the surprised spectator recognizes already when he enters the white reception tent: Noble parquet flooring on the ground, richly decorated kiosks and elegant crystal chandeliers.
«Délires», the title of the current programme, means something like «deliriums». Accordingly the fancy dresses which captivates with their colourful and visionary design: Arlette in wonderland! An unexpected positive surprise is above all the first number of the programme: The Russian Aydin Israfilov, who juggles together with his intelligent rhesus macaque. It is a playful act which accentuates the confidence in each other. A real comfort is also the charismatic couple Linda and Gilbert Gruss with their brilliant liberty horses.
It is immense that both are absolute experts in their metier. An expert is Roby Berousek, too. Against each gravitation the young Czech balances on his free-standing ladder. And even higher under the big top dances the American-Columbian trio Carillo on the highwire.
André and Frisco, Gruss' clowns for many years, plays up easily into the heart of the spectators. Not quite easy – but surprisingly twinkle-toed – the pachyderms act in the ring. At the Pelouse de Reuilly one this year German elephants. Also Armando Renz and his three Asians come from the Federal Republic. They replace the Casartelli pachyderms which were on tour with Gruss until the end of October. The Franco-Swiss Henri Wagneur leads camels, llamas, donkeys and zebras of the Gruss zoo in the red ring and combines them in a harmonic tableau of exotic animals. Due to Eva
Julia fans of big cats get their money worth: The Norwegian and her assistants let disappear not only dogs but also a young tiger. Eva Julia can be seen for the first time ever in a circus. She had to order ad hoc for this engagement new equipment – in contrast to a stage the ring has a wider access of almost 360 degrees.
From Russia and the Czech Republic comes the Duo Stykan, which truly crowns the elegance with its hand acrobatic. The Polo Brothers from Mexico and Ecuador show the undisputed final act. As every other number Gilbert Gruss has chosen it personally, too. And everyone who sees their daredevil dance in the wheel of death knows why! Compliments also to the eleven musicians of the excellent circus orchestra and its conductor Sergiu Iurco.
Résumé: «Délires» is circus as it can not be more visionary! The love for details and the extensive light conception take care for a really wonderful atmosphere under the white-red big top.
► Attention: As usual in France many representations are completely booked by private functions. In those cases no seats are available for the public. Cirque Arlette Gruss (each year from the beginnung until the middle of december in Paris): Phone 08.25.82.56.60 (0,15 €/Min.) · www.cirque-gruss.com. Cirque Pinder-Jean Richard (each year from the middle of November until the beginning of January in Paris): www.cirquepinder.com. Pelouse de Reuilly · F 75012 Paris (12th arrondissement) · Métro: Porte Dorée, Porte Liberté ► Review:«Meet the circus giants II: Pinder, Arlette Gruss, Phénix» (2008), «The best circus of Paris» (2009). Further reviews at the review archives
Meet the circus giants: Pinder and Arlette Gruss
When each year at the end of october the first trucks of
Pinder-Jean Richard arrive on the Pelouse de Reuilly it is just the timid beginning of the Parisian winter circus season: Directly next to Pinder the Cirque Phénix starts its set-up two weeks later. And at the end of November the very last free space disappears, too: Also the Arlette Gruss circus joins its «colleagues» for about three weeks. Three – oftenly even four – with each other competing big circuses at the same time succesfully on one place, that is only possible in Paris!
► Cirque Pinder-Jean Richard: «Le Royaume des Animaux»
Pinder counts on its size and owns a big top with a capacity of 5'000 seats for Paris only. During the tour through the province in summer it could hardly be justified for logistic reasons. Here in the capital the enterprice installs additionally its two smaller tour chapiteaux et al. to exhibit its historic circus vehicles. Outside the spectators see dozens of very modern special transporters around the tents – only to Paris Pinder comes with really everything it has!
The imposing impression continues in the programme; who is looking for melancholy moments searches in vain in Pinder's «huge top». But the spectator experiences a spectacular high-speed show. In the centre of marketing is Frédéric Edelstein and the – according to his information – world-wide largest big cat group, which consists of 16 lions and tigers. Edelstein knows why he has to perform sovereignly: In June 2005 he shortly lost track during his act – after that he had to have a break for injury reasons for six months. Frédéric is the son of director Gilbert Edelstein. What a father feels when he watches his junior working in the cage, we would like to know from him. «Much pride but also some worries», he answers resigningly. «But here, you know, we are making circus and no theatre!» Daughter Sophie has – when we overlook her muscular assistents – chosen a less dangerous genre: Illusions.
Besides the big cats perform also camels, horses, donkeys, goats and sea lions during the show. Also the three skilful African elephant ladies Tembo (24), Suna (21), the «little» Lili (16) and two German shepherds take part. They come with its trainer Ronald Spindler from the German Berolina circus. Not only the animals show best performances at Pinder, but also the human artists. There is e.g. Acrobalance, an exciting ground acrobatic, whose aesthetical style does not correspond to the level of difficulty. Classic clowns are in France an absolute must and sometimes even the final act: In Pinder's ring Les Balders from Germany vies with much ballyhoo for the audience's favour. Acrobatic highlights can be experienced especially in the air: From Brazil the Flying Baetas with their spectacular flying trapeze and the triple salto mortale, from Columbia Crazy Wilson in the rotating wheel of death as well as from Spain the big and legendary Castilla troupe on the highwire.
Kommentar
Disappointing big cat accommodation
Arlette Gruss keeps approximately a dozen leopards and panthers in rather cramped compartments and cages. At Pinder's zoo a black jaguar, 16 lions and 23 tigers are living in six ring enclosures and four partly antiquated trucks.
The accommodation does not correspond to the normal standard of keeping animals at these two circuses. But it is unfortunately, that necessary and urgent investments in the well beeing of the animals are obviously still not done.
Résumé: Today Pinder is the biggest French circus. But in regards to the aspects of quantity, the quality should not be disregarded. The whole circus makes a very American impression: Many effects, much commerce, much consume. Recommendable a zoo visit: € 1,– only!Disappointing big cat accommodation
Arlette Gruss keeps approximately a dozen leopards and panthers in rather cramped compartments and cages. At Pinder's zoo a black jaguar, 16 lions and 23 tigers are living in six ring enclosures and four partly antiquated trucks.
The accommodation does not correspond to the normal standard of keeping animals at these two circuses. But it is unfortunately, that necessary and urgent investments in the well beeing of the animals are obviously still not done.
► Cirque Arlette Gruss: «Délires»
Gruss is one of the international most popular circus dynasties. Actually two renowned enterprices belong to the family in France. Arlette Gruss, the undisputed Grande Dame of the French circus world, built up the bigger one since 1985. Since she passed away this year on January 2nd (even France's president Jacques Chirac condoled deeply moved) her son Gilbert manages the skills of her life's work. Like Pinder's is also Gruss' travelling zoo equiped with outside enclosures for almost all animals (see box to the left) which get along with the cool Parisian winter climate. But otherwise the both circuses embody conceptional contrasts as they can not be larger: Arlette Gruss concentrates not on gigantism but above all on atmosphere, style and charme. What that means the surprised spectator recognizes already when he enters the white reception tent: Noble parquet flooring on the ground, richly decorated kiosks and elegant crystal chandeliers.
«Délires», the title of the current programme, means something like «deliriums». Accordingly the fancy dresses which captivates with their colourful and visionary design: Arlette in wonderland! An unexpected positive surprise is above all the first number of the programme: The Russian Aydin Israfilov, who juggles together with his intelligent rhesus macaque. It is a playful act which accentuates the confidence in each other. A real comfort is also the charismatic couple Linda and Gilbert Gruss with their brilliant liberty horses.
It is immense that both are absolute experts in their metier. An expert is Roby Berousek, too. Against each gravitation the young Czech balances on his free-standing ladder. And even higher under the big top dances the American-Columbian trio Carillo on the highwire.
André and Frisco, Gruss' clowns for many years, plays up easily into the heart of the spectators. Not quite easy – but surprisingly twinkle-toed – the pachyderms act in the ring. At the Pelouse de Reuilly one this year German elephants. Also Armando Renz and his three Asians come from the Federal Republic. They replace the Casartelli pachyderms which were on tour with Gruss until the end of October. The Franco-Swiss Henri Wagneur leads camels, llamas, donkeys and zebras of the Gruss zoo in the red ring and combines them in a harmonic tableau of exotic animals. Due to Eva
Julia fans of big cats get their money worth: The Norwegian and her assistants let disappear not only dogs but also a young tiger. Eva Julia can be seen for the first time ever in a circus. She had to order ad hoc for this engagement new equipment – in contrast to a stage the ring has a wider access of almost 360 degrees.
From Russia and the Czech Republic comes the Duo Stykan, which truly crowns the elegance with its hand acrobatic. The Polo Brothers from Mexico and Ecuador show the undisputed final act. As every other number Gilbert Gruss has chosen it personally, too. And everyone who sees their daredevil dance in the wheel of death knows why! Compliments also to the eleven musicians of the excellent circus orchestra and its conductor Sergiu Iurco.
Résumé: «Délires» is circus as it can not be more visionary! The love for details and the extensive light conception take care for a really wonderful atmosphere under the white-red big top.
► Attention: As usual in France many representations are completely booked by private functions. In those cases no seats are available for the public. Cirque Arlette Gruss (each year from the beginnung until the middle of december in Paris): Phone 08.25.82.56.60 (0,15 €/Min.) · www.cirque-gruss.com. Cirque Pinder-Jean Richard (each year from the middle of November until the beginning of January in Paris): www.cirquepinder.com. Pelouse de Reuilly · F 75012 Paris (12th arrondissement) · Métro: Porte Dorée, Porte Liberté ► Review:
«Meet the circus giants II: Pinder, Arlette Gruss, Phénix» (2008), «The best circus of Paris» (2009). Further reviews at the review archives
5 
breathtaking | 4 very nice | 3 entertaining | 2 disappointing | 1 bad
breathtaking | 4 very nice | 3 entertaining | 2 disappointing | 1 bad
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