Léo Rousselet (France)

In this space, where technical elements constantly function as play elements, Léo Rousselet, seated in a chair, manipulates time, light, and an elusive ball to create moments of suspension that shift in rhythm, unravel, and transform as if by... magic! The logic of causality gradually dissipates; reality becomes more complex and takes on absurd contours. The light switch cord provokes him...

Éclipse explores the relationships between object manipulation, juggling, contemporary magic, and... water! Léo Rousselet leads us into a poetic, humor-filled universe with echoes of Charlie Chaplin. He introduces an obsessive character, committed to doing everything right, ready to face any situation, even the most unexpected ones. Absolutely hypnotic.

Étienne Manceau, well-known to FIMFA audiences for his hilarious show Vu and its female version Vue, which were both great successes, joined Léo Rousselet as the artistic advisor for Éclipse, transporting us to an unusual universe, somewhere between circus and object theater. Unforgettable!

^{"Between Mr. Bean and Buster Keaton." - Marjorie Bertin, Transfuge}

^{"A spectacular virtuosity." - Toute la Culture}

^{"Éclipse, a poetic journey between shadow and light (...). A poetic exploration of light, movement, and time, in a universe where the simplicity of objects transforms into a source of wonder (...). In every moment, the spectator is invited to rediscover the world through the beauty of the ephemeral. The magic of Éclipse lies in its ability to transfigure the everyday into a performance. A ball becomes a celestial body, a flame becomes a breath, and light, as a silent accomplice, sculpts the space.}

^{The variations in rhythm, changes in intensity, and orchestrated silences create a sensitive dialogue between the body, the objects, and the music. Everything plays out in the fragile balance between mastery and 'letting go,' between the concrete and the imaginary (...). This show is part of a program that celebrates the art of puppetry and object theatre (...)." - La Dépêche}

^{"The show is highly crafted, with excellent pacing (...). It takes on clownish contours as he invents absurd solutions to the incredible problems his environment throws at him. An intelligent performance (...)." - Mathieu Dochtermann, cult.news}

BIO

Born in Caen in 1992, Léo studied music in France and the Czech Republic. After completing his undergraduate degree, he worked for a year at the Maison des Jonglages and subsequently attended the Centre des Arts du Cirque de Toulouse - Le Lido. It was there that he refined and expanded his juggling practice, which he has been developing since the age of 14. He completed his training at Le Lido in 2018. He combines his skills as a juggler, musician, and scenographer in several projects and performances.

CREDITS

_{Creation and performer: Léo Rousselet Outside eye: Étienne Manceau Technical direction: Francesco Caspani / Marie Vela Photography: Camille La Verde Production, administration: Cirque des Petites Natures - Denise Dufeu Production, Touring manager: Baron Production - Jordan Enard Support: DRAC Occitanie Coproduction: La Maison des Jonglages - Bondy, La Loggia - St-Péran, Perplx - Kortrijk (BE), Collectif Enjeux Artistic residencies: Marionnettissimo - Tournefeuille, Perplx - Kortrijk (BE), La Cascade, Pôle National Cirque - Bourg St-Andéol, La Loggia - St-Péran, Ay-Roop - Rennes, Communauté de Communes Sud-Hérault, Maison des Artistes Antonin Artaud - Gaillac, Centre culturel Soupetard - Toulouse, Ville de Castanet-Tolosan em parceria com La Grainerie, Pôle Européen de Production - Balma, Up! Circus and Performing Arts - Bruxelles (BE)}

_{www.cirquepetitesnatures.fr/eclipse-leo-rousselet}