Fabulous Story of the Circus

Highlights / General details

Enjoy the pleasure of the circus’ history with our permanent exhibit Terra Cirqua. Not only will you discover one of the most beautiful exhibit of circus’ related art objects in the world, but also a mass of historical notions and pleasant and sad anecdotes that were part of yesterday’s daily routine that made what the circus is today. Among the different objects, to be found: toys, posters, engravings, historical objects that are part of the incredible circus’ legacy.

Itinerary Part 1 – The context and the 3 missions of La Tohu (10 min): La Tohu’s 3 missions; The Saint-Michel Environmental Complex, a soon to become green space; La Cite des Arts du cirque and it’s buildings; La Tohu as the one and only circular performance hall in North America.

Part 2 – Self-guided Tour of the permanent exhibit Terra Cirqua (15 min): A wonderful visit to awake the curiosity of the visitor and circus’ history with a guide providing information on specific objects.

Part 3 – Interpretation of Pictures from the Jacob and William Collection of the Circus’ History (30 min): Overview of the circus’ origins and of the development of its four disciplines around the world completed by the projection of circus’ related art objects from the Grand Jacob and William Collection. Activities, cultures and traditions from where emerged the circus; The importance of the nomad culture in the spreading of the circus’ arts; Establishment of the modern circus and of the first ever performance hall; Development and international blooming of the circus; The Clowns universe: Traces of the circus in arts and in occidental imaginary; European fall of the circus rivaled by the bloom of circuses in the province of Quebec; Tomorrow’s circus.

Part 3 – Introduction of the Circus’ Performing Arts (35 min): Jugglery and balancing act. Overview of the different objects used in jugglery and in other act of dexterity and experimentation.

Hours of operation

Available Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Location Located at Terra Cirqua exhibit.

Duration

90 minutes.

Itinerary

Part 1 – The context and the 3 missions of La Tohu (10 min): La Tohu’s 3 missions; The Saint-Michel Environmental Complex, a soon to become green space; La Cite des Arts du cirque and it’s buildings; La Tohu as the one and only circular performance hall in North America.

Part 2 – Self-guided Tour of the permanent exhibit Terra Cirqua (15 min): A wonderful visit to awake the curiosity of the visitor and circus’ history with a guide providing information on specific objects.

Part 3 – Interpretation of Pictures from the Jacob and William Collection of the Circus’ History (30 min): Overview of the circus’ origins and of the development of its four disciplines around the world completed by the projection of circus’ related art objects from the Grand Jacob and William Collection. Activities, cultures and traditions from where emerged the circus; The importance of the nomad culture in the spreading of the circus’ arts; Establishment of the modern circus and of the first ever performance hall; Development and international blooming of the circus; The Clowns universe: Traces of the circus in arts and in occidental imaginary; European fall of the circus rivaled by the bloom of circuses in the province of Quebec; Tomorrow’s circus.

Part 3 – Introduction of the Circus’ Performing Arts (35 min): Jugglery and balancing act. Overview of the different objects used in jugglery and in other act of dexterity and experimentation.

Hours of operation Available Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Location

Located at Terra Cirqua exhibit.

Duration 90 minutes.

Participant restrictions Not recommended for children aged 8 years or younger.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation