44 - Francis Perreault mein Bühnenpartner <3

00:00:00: So today is going to be a very special episode because I'm here with Francis that you all know from all of the videos and want get to know better.

00:00:07: Also, we're sitting in Paris right now at Francis' apartment on his couch.

00:00:12: We both have a little hot drink.

00:00:14: infront us There's a television playing like a hot fire so we are feeling cozy & warm!

00:00:20: Let start into this episode with Francis.

00:00:25: When did your wanted to become a circus artist?

00:00:30: My first time was when my parents brought me to this Cirque du Soleil show.

00:00:35: It was in Canada and it was Corteo Cirque Du Soleil Show, I remember seeing so many beautiful things.

00:00:45: there were some areals acts...I remember loving the Chandelier Act going out of that show.

00:00:55: i thought wow!

00:00:56: This is just so beautiful what I've seen.

00:00:59: I would love to do that in my life.

00:01:00: Wow, and how old were you then?

00:01:04: That's a good question.

00:01:05: I think it was maybe nine or ten something like that.

00:01:09: Okay so quite young And did you already do gymnastics at the time Or Did You start doing gymnastics after that?

00:01:15: Yes So i was very physical children.

00:01:19: I Was Doing some martial arts Then i was doing some horse riding On The countryside And then I did some gymnastics.

00:01:30: I've done that for quite a few years and as i was doing it, when the show started ,I thought well this seems like their next level of what im doing already is very passionate.

00:01:43: so yeah.

00:01:45: So at that time you knew there were circus schools where you could learn all these

00:01:49: things?

00:01:50: Actually, after watching the show I went back home and I went on internet.

00:01:55: And Internet was a big thing at that time because it just started.

00:01:59: so... It's something huge to be able go in research about this subject!

00:02:04: So i did some research about circus like.

00:02:08: what is the Circus around the world?

00:02:10: Where does it exist?

00:02:13: or their schools out

00:02:14: there?!

00:02:15: Then i realized There were these big school in Montreal Canada, my country.

00:02:20: Then I thought wow this is so amazing.

00:02:23: there was like This big school right next to where i live Like it was two hours away from My hometown because i come From the countryside.

00:02:31: and then i did some research about It And i looked at what are The tests To get into school and everything?

00:02:38: And

00:02:38: then i just Decided to Get ready for the auditions.

00:02:42: Do you remember how much time You had from the moment that like found out the school existed and then when you did the auditions?

00:02:50: I think there was a one year it, because i remember seeing that the audition had just taken place.

00:03:00: And that next one would be in one year!

00:03:03: Then I thought wow this isn't a long time.

00:03:05: also...I didn't mention to my parents yet at the times.

00:03:10: so.. There were many steps but looking everything that you had to learn for the audition like doing the splits, there were some musculation exercise and tests.

00:03:24: And I thought okay well i think having a year is good so that i get well prepared.

00:03:29: Okay, so I know that you did the school as a high-school program.

00:03:34: So in the Montréal Circus School is also this school.

00:03:37: i did and This Is Where We Met but we'll get to it later.

00:03:40: But I Did The Formation.

00:03:42: That's After School.

00:03:43: So You Finished My Whole High School Program And Then I Did It More Like A Hours Spill Long Afterwards But Francis Did.

00:03:49: Actually As High School Was There Something That was Different About That Or Something Specific To That?

00:03:58: We were like... I remember we were, i think a hundred people doing their auditions and it was on three days.

00:04:09: So what's different is that just the very little amount of people are kept at the end.

00:04:16: so from my audition ,i think there were four people only And that was the thing, also getting at school seeing how many people were there.

00:04:31: I actually went with my dad and he said... He didn't tell me right away but told years after when we got there and saw how many of them are here.

00:04:43: this is going to be an experience for Francis.

00:04:46: He's gonna try his dream But just so many like.

00:04:53: He didn't really believe it, but he wanted to give me a chance and try not knowing how much determination I had.

00:05:02: And how well I was prepared!

00:05:05: Exactly because the whole preparation you did by yourself?

00:05:07: I did a full preparation like...I'm very organized.

00:05:12: even nowadays in dressing room we have the line.

00:05:15: my side is organized.

00:05:16: You're more messy But i've always been Very organized and for this like I remember.

00:05:22: I printed the The paper with what did that do?

00:05:26: Do at the auditions, then and at school every Every lunchtime i would go to this musculation room That we had a school And i will just practice everything i have to do.

00:05:39: At night i would Practice my splits.

00:05:42: in the morning i would wake up and go run Because it was part of the test and uh...i Was doing everything And there was even like a dance test.

00:05:53: There were going to be a dance tests, so sometime at night I would just put some music and try do some moves or stuff.

00:05:59: So...I got well prepared!

00:06:03: To come back on the audition day.

00:06:06: it's been few days.

00:06:10: First we did theatre.

00:06:14: We would do acrobatics, which I could do because of gymnastics.

00:06:19: And at the end of day there were those big screens they put in their cafeteria and then... They said all right if your number is on screen you are asked to come back tomorrow!

00:06:34: If not this is the end for you !

00:06:38: Then i remember seeing with my dad.

00:06:42: they kept Francis.

00:06:43: so we're gonna come back.

00:06:46: and as the audition went it got more difficult.

00:06:53: I remember there were some acting tests, and some dance test where the judges would be sitting at a table and they look at you.

00:07:05: They're like, all right we are putting in music.

00:07:07: now everyone is looking at you.

00:07:08: it's just you alone!

00:07:10: And go dance.

00:07:14: make it great You know?

00:07:16: I mean when have never done that before In your life...I remember this moment because i was not used to do that ever.

00:07:23: i've never did that before and i thought Francis give everything.

00:07:31: I think i might have been a bit over like too much, probably to much but... ...I just gave it all and they probably saw that.

00:07:39: They were like alright this one is really into it!

00:07:44: And yeah..i remember I've never danced before.

00:07:50: Wow, it's so interesting because I remember the auditions when i did them.

00:07:54: They were probably kind of the same cause.

00:07:56: we had the same thing.

00:07:57: It was over four days.

00:07:58: there was a numbers on this screen.

00:07:59: first day Was like the Masculation and then stretching in the dance an acting all that When you have to do their editions again later cuz he didn't like the high school.

00:08:08: Then obviously got accepted And they knew how to do additions.

00:08:11: whether or not The same feeling?

00:08:14: Or is completely different from second time.

00:08:17: The second time there was more pressure because I was already part of the school, so if i wasn't going to be accepted a second time that was kind of a failure also.

00:08:27: Because you're learning at school and not accepting to continue.

00:08:32: it's actually very big but It is much more physical.

00:08:37: for the highschool program Also had some class tests like mathematics.

00:08:44: I remember there was like this general knowledge question, so it's about the Oscars.

00:08:53: So who won and whose days?

00:08:55: And how am i supposed to know that?

00:08:57: but it is just a general knowledge.

00:09:01: Super interesting!

00:09:02: When you do high school program You obviously do circus training But also have normal school classes.

00:09:09: If somebody wasn't good in normal schools Would they then also not get accepted to the high school program?

00:09:15: Or was it so important, like how good you were in English and math.

00:09:19: And all of those things.

00:09:21: well You had two have a good level but also we add Like teacher for very small amount of people.

00:09:29: So even if there wasn't difficulty I know some people that's on difficulty and this still got accepted.

00:09:35: But I mean you had to have minimums.

00:09:38: Oh It kind of yeah goes in both sides And also in Canada.

00:09:43: you can decide to do like hard maths or less hard maths and science, no-science as you go towards the end of high school.

00:09:53: So even if I was in circus school i did all that.

00:09:56: so it's not because your'e in a circus school but you cannot do good studies

00:10:02: Cool.

00:10:02: Were there any international students with you as well at that time?

00:10:06: or wasn't the high school only Canadian students?

00:10:09: No, they were some international students but not so many and I mean maybe two.

00:10:19: You know in my class we were six And it was our biggest class.

00:10:24: There is a High School One Two Three Four Five.

00:10:29: From My Class We're Six.

00:10:30: And so that like usually you would be, I don't know... thirty people.

00:10:34: We were all from Quebec.

00:10:38: There was this guy who came from Cirque du Soleil also.

00:10:41: He had been touring with his family and then he went to Montreal because His family got more based.

00:10:50: They wanted him to keep studying circus Go-to school at the same time.

00:10:55: So he was international but highschool is very much for Yeah, more Canadian people from Quebec.

00:11:02: Because also like all of this has been... This is a long time ago!

00:11:06: Like it was in the early mid- to thousands right?

00:11:10: Do you remember what year we started

00:11:11: there?!

00:11:12: It was in two thousand and eight that I started That i went to Montreal for my first time And it's big thing because I came from countryside Like for my family, friends and everybody just like having someone leaving the countryside.

00:11:27: And I came from a farm also!

00:11:29: And being like yeah Francis is going to Montreal he's gonna live in Montreal... ...and go for his circus school.

00:11:35: people were like what?

00:11:37: But at the same time People knew about Cirque du Soleil.

00:11:42: It was something very strong In Canada.

00:11:45: They knew What to... to expect from Circus.

00:11:50: Cirque du Soleil is basically the picture someone would have of Circus in Canada, so saying like I'm gonna go and do circus.

00:11:57: this is the first thing that comes to your mind.

00:11:59: So it didn't sounded a bad...thing but It was sure very special.

00:12:06: Yeah!

00:12:07: Very different.

00:12:08: Especially also because you were still really young Like You moved away From your parents place Moving into yo- own kind of place or like living with other people, then going full-time to school.

00:12:19: How old were you when you started doing the high school?

00:12:22: I was fifteen and during my sixth first month at the school i was leaving with a sewer from Cirque du Soleil.

00:12:31: so i stayed with her.

00:12:33: in the morning we would take the car go to school because right in front national circus school there is Cirque du Soleil, the big industry buildings.

00:12:42: And so she would leave me at school and then go to her job...and as I was finishing school later than usual people i would have to come back home by metro also like maybe that sounds easy but for a fifteen years old child going back home coming from countryside it was like the experience.

00:13:05: Yeah, of course.

00:13:06: I mean this is really similar to Germany like there's small towns and villages And if they go to the first time to Berlin take them metro.

00:13:13: There it's a big city Berlin super crazy Super scary also for their parents who leave the kids alone So that your parents let you at age fifteen To follow your dream.

00:13:25: That pretty cool.

00:13:28: Yeah, absolutely.

00:13:29: And you know I was just so passionate about it...I remember being there and thinking wow this is the beginning of my dream!

00:13:37: This is so amazing.

00:13:39: i've been dreaming of that since- I mean since the first time I sat at the Salaiso not long but still It became in a very short amount of time My biggest dream.

00:13:50: and to step into it Was huge.

00:13:55: Yeah, it was beautiful.

00:13:56: and also I would mix school with circus every day.

00:14:00: So one day i would start with schooling until noon... ...and then the rest of the day on till six I will be doing circus.. ..and next week you'll do the opposite.

00:14:11: You'd start with circus and the other half for that they would be school.... ....and change like this everyday.

00:14:17: And so I mean, it's very special also.

00:14:19: It's like every day is different.

00:14:23: You're always doing sport you are discovering what the art field of circus Is and I mean its a huge dream!

00:14:32: Also this sore with who i was living.

00:14:35: She worked at Cirque du Soleil.

00:14:36: she was telling me about it.

00:14:38: She would follow like, what do I like the most?

00:14:41: What are the shows that I liked the most and...I told her what my favorite act was.

00:14:45: And then she will tell me oh i know who's the artist and his costume!

00:14:50: He comes from Russia and blah blah blah and I was like wow this is he getting all these insights?

00:14:59: it was a dream.

00:14:59: It was crazy !

00:15:02: So cool At that time did you already have a discipline or were you just training everything?

00:15:10: I was training everything but I knew like Ariel's was my favorite thing and school would make us do everything.

00:15:21: And so the scariest, i think ,was the trapeze.

00:15:25: Swinging trapezes.

00:15:25: we all had to do it easy and especially when you watch it from the ground, I mean... You see that person is high.

00:15:34: And uh..you see the person swing.

00:15:37: everything seems fine but once you step one time in your life on a swinging trapeze and someone from the Ground new teacher ask you go come on Swing!

00:15:48: Then you're like oh my god this is like the craziest curious thing i've ever done.

00:15:56: I think you've done it too, right?

00:15:58: We had to do like two sessions.

00:16:00: It was at the very beginning... ...the first two weeks and it was kind of like trying out if we were scared or not.

00:16:05: so scared.. ..I wish i had more time!

00:16:09: Yes ,i was definitely scared but you know that you're attached.

00:16:12: You know nothing can really happen is for your mind.

00:16:15: but I saw other people doing like cool tricks and i kind of wanted to try harder stuff.

00:16:19: And they were just as simple, from standing to sitting then standing back up.

00:16:24: They really kept making sure that you have the proper technique.

00:16:27: You're doing it exactly in the right moment with the app.

00:16:31: No!

00:16:31: I want an ankle hook But never had a chance.

00:16:37: My teacher was like come on swing higher!

00:16:39: Higher!

00:16:40: I'm swinging so high already.

00:16:44: It's scary.

00:16:46: You did two years of aerials, a little bit of syringtropies and everything.

00:16:51: When was the moment that you discovered the Seawheel?

00:16:54: Alright so as I said i really liked aerials.

00:16:58: my first favorite aerial was the silk.

00:17:01: when I was younger then I wondered like what would I do?

00:17:06: And then I thought straps would fit me best.

00:17:09: So I started to do straps who was very creative, imaginative and he proposed that I would mix the straps with an aerial rope.

00:17:20: And so i started doing that as we were exploring new movement because it was a new apparatus which also never existed after!

00:17:33: There was this one afternoon when we were training something and actually I fell from the rope, and I twisted my leg.

00:17:45: And so my leg was really badly twisted without going into details but i had to untwist my legs with two hands... ...I did it very quickly because that was just so painful!

00:17:59: There were ambulance and went to hospital then for six months walking branch with two cans.

00:18:13: and then during that time I thought well, i just cannot go back and do this apparatus right away.

00:18:21: And so as I was getting better and better it was a hard time of course but um...I restarted doing the basic straps and then had a problem like ...i twisted my bat little bit and then I had to stop again.

00:18:39: Then it was like a man, just getting all these injuries right away!

00:18:44: It's really not fun... And at the time i was living with this girl her name is Angelica.

00:18:51: We were roommates and Angelica was one of the first girls who was doing Seawheel there.

00:18:57: also Valérie but didn't know her And Angelica Bongeovani, so we were living together and she said Francis why don't you try the Seawheel?

00:19:09: I thought to myself well like...I don't like seawheels.

00:19:15: The first time i saw this circus show the Corteo ,i remember.. i've seen the Seowheel!

00:19:20: I was there with my family.

00:19:23: one person of mine said that the Seewheel is the best act of the show.

00:19:30: and I remember thinking, well i thought it was the most boring act.

00:19:35: And so yet there I was trying to find a discipline...a smooth one because I had to do something more relaxed for my body ...and I couldn't do aryals right away.

00:19:48: So Angelica gave me at least a try!

00:19:53: Then I sticked with it.

00:19:56: So that's how I got into the Seawheel, but... ...I have to admit it is not because i like seawheels.

00:20:13: He did that a year before me, although he is one year younger than me.

00:20:31: This was just because like high school program situation and schools system situations so I was in nineteen when they did the auditions And i guess you were then seventeen When we started training together You still had your knee Protector thing?

00:20:47: Like you have something

00:20:48: That's right!

00:20:49: I remember that ruble cut.

00:20:52: Yeah thing.

00:20:54: yeah...you're right.

00:20:55: Yeah, I remember now.

00:20:56: Because my question is did you do the auditions after?

00:20:59: You were injured or before?

00:21:00: and how did you?

00:21:01: what was the act to auditioned with?

00:21:03: whether it's your will already Or Was It Still Rope Straps?

00:21:06: No so...you know i did a school two years in highschool then The three Years In The Main Program Same As You And When There Was The Audition For That I Was Still Injured So I Couldn't Do It.

00:21:22: And actually what happened is that the school, because they knew me.

00:21:25: They knew I was working very hard and I was giving it all... All the time except when injured.

00:21:32: Even injured!

00:21:32: I was going to the gym as much as i could in everything.

00:21:36: so What did you do?

00:21:37: You did a special audition for me after my main audition for everybody.

00:21:42: So during the audition where everyone came..I was there doing acting Yeah, chin-ups stuff like that.

00:21:53: Like basic things I could do.

00:21:55: but yeah That was not my audition.

00:21:58: and so then everyone received their answers.

00:22:03: Everyone there wasn't the school And I saw that everyone was like oh got accepted i'm here and blah blah...and I was like well..I have no idea!

00:22:12: I didn't do my full edition yet decision that was taken.

00:22:21: I think i tried hand-to-hand because the school thought that it could be a good porter.

00:22:26: so did some hand to end, met with girls and also rethinking like do you want me to duo?

00:22:31: Do not wanna do duo!

00:22:32: And actually remember at one point I sat down thinking about what would happen if I had an option of doing it.

00:22:39: this is very interesting.

00:22:44: I rather do solo because i just feel like you...you do whatever you want to.

00:22:52: You're with yourself and you decide what you wanna create, And i thought that i could do duo but..i just don't know someone that i'd like enough to do duo with!

00:23:03: And i felt maybe if i meet some one But this is not something i would wanna do with anybody.

00:23:11: unless i really liked someone I don't want to do duo.

00:23:17: So now you're doing duo with me?

00:23:18: Yeah,

00:23:19: did i ever told you that?

00:23:20: ?

00:23:21: I remember that she never wanted to do hand-to-hand because he didn't wanna be like dependent on another person.

00:23:25: .I Don't know if there was this thing of ,you only would do it If You really liked the person.

00:23:33: and then when we started because we will get into this a little later.

00:23:37: But when you started, it was mostly for fun and wasn't the beginning... We didn't think like that is going to be.

00:23:41: our career kind of just developed in today's start as friends and I've just tried out.

00:23:46: so i guess when he took decision too do the duo?

00:23:49: It also professional decision because it has potential to something new.

00:23:53: but no!

00:23:55: The decisions were really starting with friendship Because what I'm mentioning now On my audition personal one, I still had to do a form in which you have to precise.

00:24:08: Which discipline?

00:24:09: Do You want To do Absolutely, like you had to make a choice.

00:24:12: You can just leave it open and I have to make the choice because i've tried some hand-to-hand And they were ready to mix me with someone... ...and I was like alright am I stamping into duo or not?

00:24:23: ..And then really had made that choice.. ...and remember when at school in the cafeteria on the corner table late at night everyone left and I had finished my form for that day.

00:24:32: one of my friend came to me and said Francis what are your still doing ?

00:24:35: I need take this decision !

00:24:37: Am I gonna do duo now?

00:24:39: ?

00:24:39: and then I explained the thing.

00:24:42: And, yeah...I'm gonna do solo because I don't know who i would do with that.

00:24:49: i really like!

00:24:52: Wow no..i didn't know that!

00:24:53: That is really sweet.

00:24:57: Jump into the moment where you have been now to school, to the actual school for one year.

00:25:03: I guess like your knee injury slowly is getting better You're starting to do a solo C-wheel... ...you are learning from zero!

00:25:11: I mean..You've never touched a wheel before in life.

00:25:14: and when i arrived which was a year later When did my Circus school additions, there was no Francis around.

00:25:22: Francis the first time I saw you Was when i had my first sea wheel class because also I'm not really sure if people are familiar with this but when i got accepted into circus school, Okay, I didn't like it.

00:25:58: Just remember being so dizzy feeling like vomiting all the time really?

00:26:03: I really liked it.

00:26:04: for me It was really...I saw it and i thought is was pretty!

00:26:07: Also seeing Angelica she gave a big influence but also Alex Lane And at that time there were people.

00:26:15: At that time Cybriel was really new.

00:26:16: Like Cybrile was hardly anybody doing it.

00:26:19: There's hardly any women doing it..and I tried it and I wanted to get it Like learning how to waltz, learning how make it move and never stop.

00:26:30: That's like the first challenge And It takes quite a while To get.

00:26:33: that then for me was really A challenge.

00:26:35: I couldn't stop and wanted do it until i got The wall sing.

00:26:40: So this is why...

00:26:43: When Is This Class Over?

00:26:46: Oh my

00:26:48: God, such a different experience.

00:26:51: So I think the reason why they let me change disciplines was also because Eric Deschenes Who was our both of our coaches in the circus school.

00:27:00: He saw that and me.

00:27:01: I think he saw the potential on the drive, but i wanted to learn it.

00:27:04: so I think you put a good word that could change disciplines because its quite rare That you get accepted into one discipline.

00:27:10: then they let your change after cause.

00:27:11: usually They see your potential at auditions.

00:27:14: really make sure like okay You have body type for this ,you're strong in this .They wanna make sure something can be really good.

00:27:21: And in Seawheel, everybody was still starting from zero then.

00:27:24: So there was kind of time to learn it.

00:27:27: so they let me change and I started having classes.

00:27:32: In some of the classes we were like two or three students and Francis is one of those students... ...and i remember that he was somewhere on his back working hard at tricks.

00:27:45: He had your knee Robocop thing And you were quite shy and also didn't speak English so well.

00:27:53: You're quite shy, somewhere in the back... One really vivid memory I have is that I was learning to waltz then one leg and it took forever!

00:28:02: Then i learned how to take one hand off and I was trying to take one hand off the wheel, it's impossible.

00:28:11: And then I look over at Francis doing these big flower pickers where he touches the floor... One arm!

00:28:19: Oh my god this guy is so good

00:28:24: All these flowers, he's picking with his flower picker.

00:28:30: Maybe it was also a little bit intimidated because you were shy or not speaking so much and kind of in the back but really good.

00:28:36: So I think for me... arriving at the circus school, I was one of the only people who had never really done circus before.

00:28:43: Like my...I have like a gymnastics background, aerobic gymnastics but there were disciplines i'd never seen before and I had to learn so many things.

00:28:52: it was all in French And my french was okay at that time But they did with like school French.

00:28:57: Same for you!

00:28:58: same as for YOU.

00:29:00: I was nineteen when I left but I left Germany For to go another country or do another language.

00:29:06: live with new people.

00:29:07: A great experience, like really similar.

00:29:10: Like arriving there and it's arts in matching everything is possible but also a little bit overwhelming because you're there by yourself meeting all these people.

00:29:18: they are so good!

00:29:20: So I think that was just this of okay.

00:29:22: i'm trying my best here on the corner where other people doing crazy stuff.

00:29:28: And then after couple weeks Eric said maybe you should consider buying your own wheel because the Sugul had some wheels, but they were like not the proper size and weight.

00:29:40: And he said well you should maybe talk to Francis and ask him where he got his wheel!

00:29:48: This is how we talked for the first time yeah?

00:29:50: Yeah this

00:29:50: was after one of our classes.

00:29:53: I go up to Francis saying hey Francis so i want to buy a wheel.

00:29:58: You remember what that was?

00:30:02: I mean, this is how i remember it.

00:30:03: It was the studio Dimin Lef which is one of the studios at the exit in the end-of class and... ...I just waited for you!

00:30:10: And then I asked to you and suddenly we were so nice like you are so

00:30:14: nice!!

00:30:14: The wheel that we both had at time was Daniel Sear's wheel.

00:30:18: So the inventor of the Sear Wheel.

00:30:20: Daniel Seer he still making wheels at their times.

00:30:23: You gave me his number or contact.

00:30:25: Do you also

00:30:27: remember?

00:30:28: Yeah, I remember.

00:30:28: it was just so funny because i remember giving to you at the entrance of this school.

00:30:32: So that's why...

00:30:34: Oh interesting!

00:30:35: Anyway yeah maybe you asked me in the studio then we..

00:30:39: When?

00:30:39: I remember being on the entrance but also sometimes with old memories like it fades a bit Like the entrance here or there.

00:30:49: But what I don't remeber is that and then I contacted Daniel Sir, and I bought my wheel.

00:30:55: And a couple of weeks later the wheel was there... ...and then after that we became friends so started doing things together.

00:31:03: but what i don't remember is like The next conversation you know?

00:31:06: Like After first time we've spoken What's second time we spoke?

00:31:11: I think, well i remember from that moment on we just opened like a friendly relationship.

00:31:18: Like it was saying hi hey what's up before the class and...I remembered thinking oh this girl is very nice because she came to me with such an sweet open heart.

00:31:34: you were just very gentle.

00:31:38: Yeah, I remember liking you right away.

00:31:42: Oh she's very nice.

00:31:45: Thank You.

00:31:45: that glad to hear.

00:31:46: it is similar.

00:31:47: i had the thing because you were shy.

00:31:50: and But then when you are talking to me?

00:31:53: We're not shy anymore.

00:31:53: It was kind of like as if we have your little world And let some people into a new world with other people Not so much Like I was allowed To be in.

00:32:04: Then we started hanging out One-on-one which I really liked.

00:32:09: so it was like we had a little bit of a friend group Like a smaller friend group around also, but we started doing A lot of stuff just you and me like

00:32:17: yeah.

00:32:17: I remember like You said at some point let's do like a branch sometime And then we did some pancakes We did the brunch At my place and we talked about everything.

00:32:30: Yeah, we got to know each other as quick quickly i think

00:32:33: I mean.

00:32:33: Also too maybe give them full truth was at the beginning, it was a little bit as if there were dates.

00:32:40: And this is more on my side obviously but it's like Francis is inviting you over and we're making Pandoride your place then watch the movie... It was getting to know each other from date perspective.

00:32:53: maybe that also why I was one-on-one?

00:32:56: I remember!

00:32:58: She was like,

00:32:59: she had a crush on me for sure.

00:33:02: And then we started going out but when it was obvious that they were not gonna turn into more than that.

00:33:07: It's also fine because I wouldn't say he is romantic But his relationship with Platonic Romantic You know what i mean?

00:33:16: Well you became right away such nice friend to me Such beautiful hearted person Like that was there in my life.

00:33:26: That was sweet, we were quickly discussing and talking about everything.

00:33:32: it just felt so natural right away.

00:33:35: Yeah!

00:33:36: Even I remember experiences like for example all this time when you're still young.

00:33:41: For me also arriving to Montreal is the path of becoming a woman.

00:33:46: Before then as a teenager during those years i became one Like I did stuff for the first time.

00:33:53: For example, one time i went to like a beauty salon To get my eyebrows waxed for the First Time ever in My life?

00:34:00: I don't know why I wanted to do it..I just Wanted to Do It and try it And then She Did...like I Just was like well Wax my Eyebrows and Because it had been The first time I've Ever done it!

00:34:12: Bigger change and then I was kind of unsure if it was good or not.

00:34:15: Good, And i remember texting you in being like hey...I just did a thing and Then you were well come over and

00:34:22: we'll have look at it.

00:34:24: You said looks good It's really nice!

00:34:28: You know what.

00:34:28: so funny is that during those years?

00:34:30: We're just willing to try anything everything.

00:34:35: What I remember the most is that time when there was like this hair convention and you went there.

00:34:41: so then, Like... You had a hairdresser.

00:34:43: And he would decide what kind of hair He wouldn't make you..and he made you such.

00:34:47: it was quite exotic.

00:34:49: It was really something but to put in certain way.

00:34:52: otherwise they'd look like a mess.

00:34:54: They'll be like trash!

00:34:56: The funny thing is that at circus school Yeah, your head is going every way and especially with the cereal.

00:35:06: It was very nice but only if you wouldn't move!

00:35:10: And so you would look like just, it's so crazy.

00:35:13: It was funny at the same time for a very long time.

00:35:15: Yeah that

00:35:16: is true!

00:35:17: Really short hair.

00:35:18: they cut it so short in their back and even with razor in his back...

00:35:22: It was a little bit like Rihanna haircut but longer on front one side going to your jaw The other side staying over here.

00:35:34: But all of this time there were such mess your face and you couldn't attach them because it was too short.

00:35:45: It's really funny, I have like a clear picture of view at that time for sure!

00:35:50: It comes with

00:35:52: the haircut.

00:35:53: yeah so this is exactly those times in.

00:35:55: the fun thing about circus school is exactly that.

00:35:58: It's like a time where we spend a lot of time creating, learning tricks but also creating... We had regular presentations where you have to present acts and the whole school was presenting shows.

00:36:08: so we are always constantly in this.

00:36:11: who-are-you as an artist?

00:36:12: Discover yourself go see shows!

00:36:15: So it really was place when people would do that get crazy haircuts People started getting tattoos People were doing all kinds of crazy stuff because they kind of tried

00:36:26: out.

00:36:27: But also it's the age to do that.

00:36:28: We were young, we're at that age where like come on let's go try things.

00:36:33: and yeah.

00:36:34: And I even remember that i was like if ever im gonna have short hair.

00:36:37: It is now because maybe later some kind of job Where like Now I couldn't cut my hair anymore Like you wouldn't fit with our act You would take away all romantic part.

00:36:46: So its kinda not really possible any more.

00:36:49: It's always possible, but it would just change a lot what the act could be like.

00:36:53: So I think in circus school there was this moment to do that.

00:36:56: It was an epic haircut!

00:36:59: Then we became friends and then... This kind of quickly after becoming friends or during our time you were like hey We should try spinning on wheels together because we spin in the same direction with pretty much the size of wheel.

00:37:12: Francis had a wheel which is bigger than mine And he

00:37:17: proposed it.

00:37:17: for me

00:37:28: It's very likely.

00:37:29: I mean, i don't remember if it was like a conscious... A strategic thing.

00:37:35: It wasn't like we're gonna make an act and...

00:37:37: We are going to become duo unity, no!

00:37:40: No that's not what happened.

00:37:41: so it was basically let's try to spin together.

00:37:43: We had seen in shows sometimes at the final epic moment of the act

00:37:49: Yeah there would be two people coming together but just spinning a basic step doing nothing else.

00:37:55: That is big trick.

00:37:57: That's the only place where it exists.

00:37:59: At that point exactly, so we were like let's try that.

00:38:01: and actually even The first tries of just spinning together was hard Like the first times.

00:38:05: you could spend three four turns five turns.

00:38:07: It took quite a while!

00:38:08: Yeah but yeah.

00:38:10: And thats why I think the reason Why would have sticked together is because We're having fun.

00:38:14: Yeah,

00:38:16: even then you still had your robo-cop.

00:38:18: I remember that because sometimes the knee thing was kind of in the way cuz they were like together In The Wheel and it with a knee And Then You Were Hitting

00:38:25: Right.

00:38:26: yeah

00:38:26: Sometimes We Would Take It Off Because Of That.

00:38:28: and Then Your Teachers Came Like No Francis Don't take the Robo-Cop off.

00:38:34: What Happened Next Was That we Had Fun?

00:38:36: We Were Training and We Realized That We Could do like One or Two Moves.

00:38:42: and We Decided to Make an Act.

00:38:43: the very first do unity act without having a name it with out anything which was for like the internals inside this school.

00:38:51: they had to get talent show where would be artists could make sure of me acts four.

00:38:56: The artist himself so there were no teachers allowed in wasn't for outside at all.

00:39:00: i was just ask for us trying stuff out and we decided hey let's make an act for this, and lets see what you can come up.

00:39:10: yeah wanted something fun And that's exactly what we did.

00:39:16: Also, We were going out...we started to go a little bit in some clubs just for dance and have fun on Friday night!

00:39:26: This is how we found our name.

00:39:30: So there was this moment where we'd had already written our name on the paper.

00:39:33: We decided, we wanted to make this first show and were like... ...we need a name!

00:39:38: A duo-name !

00:39:40: And then we went out in Montreal and we exited the metro and we're walking into this club.

00:39:47: as we got closer I stopped Lea and said... Lea look

00:39:52: at this

00:39:52: club.

00:39:53: it's called Club Unity.

00:39:55: This is big secret of ours but after Montreal club.

00:40:01: It was the place we would go together and it just two of us going out, That's it, that has personal memories.

00:40:10: It was like a good time for both of us.

00:40:12: but then we also realized I mean Unity means so many things and is exactly what you're doing two people united in one wheel.

00:40:18: let just use it!

00:40:20: It sounds good

00:40:21: But he wasn't big talk about at first.

00:40:24: all the ideas came after We saw right away And i said oh my god this is so good.

00:40:29: What do think?

00:40:29: Do you like that?

00:40:30: Like dual unity And this is why also people thought it was very funny at school because we did like this talent show, this cabaret.

00:40:38: It's what I called.

00:40:39: and then we were like will call do unity in people or are like.

00:40:42: well you cannot call yourself after a club club in Montreal but i mean years After Like No One Knows

00:40:50: This Is Where Branding Comes Into Place.

00:40:52: This Is Also For Everybody Out There Who Was Looking for Names Was Unsure At The End Of the Day.

00:40:57: call yourself what you feel like, because after a while the name becomes something completely different.

00:41:02: Like now nobody looks at us and is like oh yes it's that Montreal club!

00:41:06: Right as he said we were thinking about it and I mean Unity exactly sounded like two people coming together in its poetic... It

00:41:16: works until today.

00:41:18: so We did very first show And wanted to do something fun In.

00:41:25: this video has disappeared from internet.

00:41:29: It will stay in the archives.

00:41:33: I mean, we went crazy!

00:41:35: We went for a very intense act and it was almost like a come out of doing this act because... not the loudest at school and doing something so fun, so crazy.

00:41:56: So imaginative...so colorful.

00:41:59: I think many people were like oh my god what are these guys doing?

00:42:04: And it was positive!

00:42:06: People really liked it but it was very intense.

00:42:10: Yeah, you're putting it actually really right because in a place like that and a circus school like that.

00:42:15: You are around lots of really strong characters who all liked to be the center of attention where everybody is loud?

00:42:20: Everybody's look at me!

00:42:24: And we were obviously also like that.

00:42:27: otherwise wouldn't do this job now but more on hard working driven following rules being nice not doing anything wrong or doing any harm so screaming really loud.

00:42:39: And this was the first moment people actually were like, holy shit.

00:42:42: Like they're doing something different They are out of their comfort zone and really going for it.

00:42:46: You created an act that is a mix of dance A little bit night clubby.

00:42:51: Then there's intense relationship between you & me.

00:42:56: It was very sexy Over-the-top Sexy I don't know how to say it Trying to use the right words.

00:43:07: it was like yeah next level sexy.

00:43:10: It's

00:43:10: something you could still perform in one of those night clubs late, late at night kindof vibe

00:43:17: Kind of, yeah exactly.

00:43:18: Yeah right and there were some choreographies we had like a very nice music.

00:43:22: We had a friend at school who was starting to do some DJ mixing And then he asked him can you mix for us this very popular new song?

00:43:30: He mixed it with some nice sounds.

00:43:33: It was really cool actually!

00:43:35: People liked it but...it was so...It was impressive.

00:43:41: Even now today if we watch it It's intense.

00:43:47: So intense like I've never seen something and circus acts that intense, you

00:43:51: know if we're now talking about it so much in people not getting to see as a little unfair We can still because we will still think about If we can still share.

00:43:59: maybe there needs to be special moment for That but this was our start And obviously he wasn't tense on.

00:44:04: the artistic proposition of.

00:44:05: that was intense But also technically which shown stuff in The wheel that until then nobody had done before.

00:44:11: And that was kind of also where people were taking it seriously not as like, okay they got getting out off the comfort zone but also.

00:44:17: They are actually trying something new and developing a new circus apparatus in because he had such good feedback.

00:44:23: we're like OK let's continue working on this and see Where can you take us technically what our other moves?

00:44:29: We could make

00:44:30: an actual people over very surprised at you could do to say well together with because I said we have developed new movements and no one has ever seen them.

00:44:41: Exactly, and our challenge we had was that... Because the moves didn't exist.

00:44:47: It was like, okay trial and error Like what happens if I go on this side?

00:44:50: And you're gonna decide What happens If i turn around what happens of my?

00:44:53: put My leg here and we tried

00:44:55: and then some mornings We would arrive and be like hey have This new idea and we try that tonight and blah blah.

00:45:00: and actually because this Was a personal projects how he started to train together with at night and during weekends and we were just so driven.

00:45:08: it was at once being With your best friend And also having fun developing something new and for a goal, project.

00:45:17: So we developed and we allowed.

00:45:20: it was just us having some ideas of what do you want to do next?

00:45:24: Or, Do You think this would be possible?

00:45:26: or let's try it out and oh my god so hard.

00:45:27: And then fall on the floor... Oh no!

00:45:30: This works and keep working on it.

00:45:33: Exactly in the middle I don't remember when that was because we ended up having two years at school together My first two years and your last three years Because there is one year where i'm still in school but you were already graduated as soloists.

00:45:48: There was a moment it actually took this further, we could become an actual duo and even talk to the direction.

00:45:55: We went to their school board and asked them if they can change disciplines instead of soloists?

00:46:02: They did not like that idea.

00:46:05: but there was a moment when decided.

00:46:07: so in the middle of all these moments okay let's be an actual dual which basically at those points just means are going create an act or build something for

00:46:20: us Tells how much road we've made to get there.

00:46:25: because as I said, like i was not Open to the idea of doing duo so

00:46:31: And then become it because he was so organic.

00:46:34: It was okay.

00:46:34: We started creating acts in The meantime or during that time also francis left school.

00:46:40: He had a solo act.

00:46:40: they had A lot of work to do.

00:46:41: Like you have To create a full solo Act which is last year In school super intense Because There's So many eyes on You and Finish the school with a strong act that you can work with afterwards.

00:46:52: And I remember last year in school is so much pressure and You had to do that, and at the same time we were working on our duo Act At night like basically every night On the weekends as you just said.

00:47:03: and i remember one moment really specifically, where we were always tired.

00:47:09: It was so tiring because you're training so much but it's still having fun!

00:47:13: We had a little coffee and he would show me what a vanille Française is with the sugary drinks at night.

00:47:20: And there was one moment when I said... When I was in gymnastics, when I was younger... ...I was always also so tired.

00:47:27: My muscles were hurting.

00:47:28: when you went to school You had to go up the school building and like all these stairs to walk And your legs were tired He said but i continued.

00:47:36: and that just- I know if we continue We're gonna get really good.

00:47:40: It's kind of a strategy That already knew.

00:47:42: Just don't stop Continue doing it.

00:47:45: Somehow The way he put is stuck until now Even sometimes when working on my solo.

00:47:52: So stuff in my competition routines, I have this voice of Francis and my man who's like just don't stop.

00:47:57: Just continue doing it And its gonna be great.

00:48:00: Wow!

00:48:01: This is so inspiring...I dont remember but so inspiring This was you.

00:48:08: Yeah we were training a lot.

00:48:11: Well, I just saw that people were asking now on Instagram several questions about like who we are or how.

00:48:16: We're and People were asking if we are both as driven right?

00:48:18: If one of us is more driven than the other i think Both Of Us have really driven.

00:48:22: when you Have a goal in mind we Really want to achieve it.

00:48:25: And i Think this Is also what helped at The end.

00:48:27: because training do A wheel is it's tiring, but also we're falling all the time.

00:48:33: It was always like you trying something and fall on the floor because you have to get up again!

00:48:37: You have do it again...it really for the mind..you have be strong minded to go through that....because its not fun always.

00:48:45: Yeah your right I think at first in the beginning ,we were doing this for fun still just going there.

00:48:54: And I mean, we were even putting music at the beginning to warm up and we're kind of dancing a little bit.

00:48:59: then okay getting into the wheel.

00:49:02: it was all surrounded by fun and good energy.

00:49:05: so that really helped us with... with this drive and then it became bigger, I mean the school asked us like i was finishing school.

00:49:17: And you were still in second year.

00:49:20: they gather everybody for their end of your show so there's going to be a main duo representing because the show is wedding married, and then we thought which duo is going to get married of the third year.

00:49:39: And they said Leia in France!

00:49:42: I was like oh my god.

00:49:43: so... We did this show.

00:49:46: it's called Pour le meilleur et pour le pire for The Best & For the worst.

00:49:50: that was the wedding.

00:49:53: definitely It was for THE

00:49:55: BEST !

00:49:56: Do you have a video about that?

00:49:58: ?

00:50:00: Yeah we do.

00:50:02: I was doing like my solo and at the end of my solo they wanted just a piece.

00:50:07: so we didn't do full act as we were able to do it.

00:50:13: This is

00:50:17: our first performance, i don't even know if you wrote those into your book?

00:50:22: Of course!

00:50:22: The first act that we performed with Cabaret which we cannot show.

00:50:30: But then there was this end of year shows.

00:50:34: So, it's a big moment because usually when you are in second years... ...you will be used at the end-of-the-year show just as an extra part and like accessory.

00:50:44: but to have main focus act is kind of rare.

00:50:46: As an accessory?

00:50:49: Well that's part of group!

00:50:51: It's

00:50:53: not the main

00:50:54: action.

00:50:54: Usually we wouldn't be the main character for the show Yet you were the main character of this show with me.

00:50:59: Yeah,

00:51:00: so we were bride and groom And it was also really significant.

00:51:09: Oh my god.

00:51:09: It's

00:51:09: significant!

00:51:10: Yes,

00:51:10: thank you because from that moment on people saw us not just in school but also outside of school and we became a duo.

00:51:18: like the stamp of a duo

00:51:19: We become a duo And so people at the outside of our schools were surprised to see a duo say will Because it was not common.

00:51:29: Even if one wants to think about what can they do with their Say Will The first thing wouldn't be thinking about a duo.

00:51:37: I think this is probably also the moment where we realized that because there were people interested in that, We realize okay.

00:51:43: This could become a potential act That could be shown to the world as like a new discipline A New thing and Where we thought oh maybe we could apply To do The Cirque de Demand circus festival eventually?

00:51:56: The Cirques De Demand Circus Festival Is one of the biggest festivals that exists.

00:52:01: Everybody who was at a circus school wants to perform There Because it's kind Of Like Cirque du Deux Mains means circus of tomorrow.

00:52:08: It's for young people bringing something new to the circus world and it is a huge place to be seen.

00:52:14: so all the bookers, casting agents from all over Europe but also little bit more internationally.

00:52:19: they come in watch that festival its also shown on TV And Its like big goal for every young artist.

00:52:26: We were thinking well maybe we could present our act or duo-act at that Festival.

00:52:32: So then this was During probably my last year of school, when you were already out of school.

00:52:38: we started working on the act.

00:52:40: We're like okay let's make an Act that we can actually sell and which is going to be the final Act.

00:52:47: Yes in talking about The Drive That's where we had the biggest drive!

00:52:55: And so at the time it was not common to create a music and we thought okay, We want have this music created for our act.

00:53:03: We wanna have costume made...we want everything!

00:53:07: You know even when you finish school most people would just buy clothes or they will use finder's music that exists.

00:53:14: but.. ...We were very driven.

00:53:16: just think of wanting go next level in the creation.

00:53:21: And then we found a composer, We would see her and get into steps of having it created like changing things and discussing about it... We were also working with an artistic counselor telling us how to play better our piece or change maybe a little bit of choreography like big steps that usually you would not do.

00:53:50: What also really helped was that at the time, you were already starting to work.

00:53:54: So you've already saw a little bit what working market is and how it works or not.

00:54:00: because often when people are in school they only see this school.

00:54:03: so they create stuff which isn't easy for them.

00:54:10: To add Swarovski's on their costume to make them more blinged.

00:54:15: It's something no one would do but on the market people do.

00:54:20: And so you were really being like, Hey why don't we?

00:54:22: Like Do something that sells?

00:54:24: well That's really classic.

00:54:25: Let us not try to go overly contemporary.

00:54:28: It's you and me, we're basing the story on us.

00:54:30: On our relationship also at beginning kind of dating falling in love but more like a platonic love than getting married.

00:54:38: The whole romantic vibe was something that fits really well.

00:54:42: so we decided let stay with it Let make something classic.

00:54:45: where I'm white You are blue or grey just get married making a romantic act Something people can relate to.

00:54:53: And this is basically how it started.

00:54:55: We created the very first version of our act, which was the version we showed at Cirque du Demain in two thousand fifteen.

00:55:02: so This was like nine months after I graduated school and a year-and-a-half After you graduate from school.

00:55:08: Actually that performance in Cirque de Demain Was kind Of Like Our Twentieth Show or Maybe Twenty-Fifth show In front of an audience ever.

00:55:17: Yeah Exactly!

00:55:18: Getting there were driven by all these steps.

00:55:21: The first step was to film, have it... Have our act filmed with the costumes ,with music and the right choreography To send this to the Festival Montréal in Paris.

00:55:32: And so we wanted a perfect video.

00:55:34: So then we trained and we trained.

00:55:37: We were giving it at all !

00:55:38: Then we had the perfect video, we sent it and then they got the answer Yes you're accepted!

00:55:43: We want you.

00:55:44: It's a duo, never seen that is new.

00:55:47: And then we were like, oh my god.

00:55:48: Okay but We got to get ready because we've performed it.

00:55:51: Like what for this cabaret?

00:55:53: and then for the end of year show?

00:55:56: that's cool But that's it!

00:55:58: So as you said...we had it perform maybe twenty times something like That?

00:56:01: Then thats why we have trained so much.

00:56:03: You were touring with Cirque du Oise I was doing solo contracts and then we had To find time when I came and joined you on your tour in France, Luxembourg so that we could train the duo.

00:56:21: And get ready for the Festival Montréal which was coming up!

00:56:25: Crazy like.

00:56:26: also it's nice to just think back of all this stuff we've done in the past because We put a lot work into this act and we have done that consistently over years afterwards as well.

00:56:36: but It has always been so clear.

00:56:39: We were so focused, we were so driven and would take these huge chips.

00:56:45: Yeah!

00:56:46: Like...we wanted everything to be perfect but that's why we were training so much.

00:56:53: At the end of your tour with Cirque-Eloise you're finishing for a moment.

00:56:57: then it was time to go perform at the Fistel Montzeil.

00:57:01: And so you were finishing in Brest, France and we rented a car.

00:57:06: We took our Seville and drove all the way to Paris... ...to go try out the floor they had at the Cirque Phoenix where we performed for the Festival Montréal just because wanted make sure what was going be the texture of how it would have been adapted.

00:57:24: Then we drove back to Ulm with that car to go train with your like home.

00:57:33: Yeah, yeah and I mean just that drive having... Having to drive from Bresz to Ulm!

00:57:41: With that project as the main motor of

00:57:45: it.

00:57:45: And one of the fears we had was that the Cirque Phoenix so where this festival takes place is a really big stage in A Really Big Tent and there's a lot of lights Like tons of protectors of lights had a lot of experience in duo, we were really afraid to get lost because you're spinning all the time and these sequences.

00:58:04: And what can happen if you don't have a lot experiences that just know?

00:58:08: where are you get out of the wheel in the wrong place, and then because we're two people if one person gets.

00:58:14: Out on the wrong places isn't the right place for this stage.

00:58:17: choreography August mixed up and it's like a big issue.

00:58:21: so he had to be wanted to see the state.

00:58:23: just see how actually is that really went on.

00:58:25: stage can have happened feeling okay how is this?

00:58:28: and they were realized.

00:58:29: well maybe when need some kind guidance to make sure that we know where the front is.

00:58:33: so this was actually your idea.

00:58:35: why don't we buy an LED strip of light that we attach in front of the stage, just so that we have a strip.

00:58:43: That you can see on every rotation and then this is where the front is like when down to all these details

00:58:50: but they were necessarily necessary.

00:58:53: I mean picture this week had just little experience.

00:58:57: We weren't new in our file.

00:58:58: discipline of do say will But still spinning together doing all the movement add to take over a concentration.

00:59:07: And then if you would have even on top of that, think where am I in space?

00:59:12: and Where do i exit the wheel so that im at right spot for the choreography.

00:59:17: It was just so much!

00:59:18: Also at the Festival Montréal this tent is huge The audience very far.

00:59:24: there's big dark like You don't see anything.

00:59:28: There are those big spotlights In your eyes ,you seen nothing so much.

00:59:36: We needed that strip of light and we had it, still was very difficult to get to know where were

00:59:43: And it was also like probably the most nerve-wracking performance we've ever done.

00:59:47: I think even now that we have done Monte Carlo where were are also nervous, i think we're way more nervous for Cirque du Démain and mainly because didn't had a lot of experience.

00:59:56: so everything organized but obviously you still have to perform the act!

01:00:01: We hadn't done this very often remember?

01:00:03: Even night before it rained.

01:00:05: there's tiny hole in top of tent with little bit water on stage.

01:00:10: It was really not so much.

01:00:11: I think even now it would probably be that big of a problem, but at the time when everything is so unsure just adding another uncertain

01:00:20: water on this stage like what more can you?

01:00:24: how could we make it even harder?

01:00:26: So if for us its funny to watch those videos because we were nervous and also You can see now with experience that it is like some movements we had to correct.

01:00:40: We have to get back into the wheel because the wheel has a certain timing and you really need to be using them together, knowing what other people are going do so they can adapt.

01:00:50: And in this act it was basically fighting for the act, to be there and give our best.

01:00:57: It wasn't hard to perform.

01:00:59: so just having a cardio for being ready until the very end knowing that cameras are going do close-ups on your face.

01:01:06: So if you're not acting well You can see that Now when watching we were nervous but at that time it's huge success because nobody had ever done.

01:01:16: And I think for the experience we had also, wow.

01:01:20: Like being able to do that was very stressful.

01:01:25: and yeah... what we've trained and the level at which were.

01:01:33: Exactly, We're super proud of having made it!

01:01:36: We had also a lot people who made contact with us... We won a bronze medal.

01:01:40: that was incredible.

01:01:43: That's our big achievement to have a medal at Cirque-de-Demain And for us as always is like you are trying your best performing there.

01:01:51: You never know where outcome will be because the outcome is for other people.

01:01:56: But to get a medal means that you have a medal at Cirque du Daman, which gives you like a certain stamp from the outside.

01:02:01: Which is really nice.

01:02:03: and we won The Moulin Rouge Prize!

01:02:06: So...which means That the owner of the Moulins Rouge Saas performing there saw our act And was like oh I would Really Like To Have This Act In My Show And Invited Us After The Festival To Come Watch The Show And To Come Try Out The Floor To See If It Would Fit Into This.

01:02:23: So not too bad for a twentieth performance.

01:02:26: Yeah, exactly!

01:02:27: At the end all of this effort really paid off even though we had hardly any experience.

01:02:32: and so basically at that moment where like the duo was born-for-real because at that point you have a nice video from before We had costumes with original music...we now had the stamp of having done Ser De Demin.

01:02:45: We had a name, do Unity that we still have today.

01:02:49: At the time it was really important to have an homepage and...

01:02:53: Business cards?

01:02:54: Paper or business card?

01:02:55: I still some of those original business paper cards yes!

01:02:59: Exactly.

01:03:00: but were so prepared for our career to launch basically And from then on i'm finishing off my last solo contract like the Cirque Loise one which is finished this summer.

01:03:12: But then it was kind of like clear that we would perform as a duo.

01:03:16: And we did lots of other festivals after, We started working at the Moulin Rouge in Paris... ...we really started to do everything as a dual basically

01:03:26: Exactly.

01:03:26: and first contract we had from after this festival Was tour in The Netherlands.. ..and were living in Amsterdam for six months Going everywhere around by bus In all the theatres.

01:03:41: I mean there was Create beautiful beginning for you and a very fun experience to have

01:03:47: we had.

01:03:48: then also like in the first years We went to Dubai.

01:03:51: We were into Las Vegas, we wanted Japan Like there where are lot of really exotic places?

01:03:56: We had that chance.

01:03:57: so go to weed it.

01:03:58: The chance I buried entrained

01:03:59: exactly because we're performing in Paris.

01:04:01: Then we were doing this festival in Russia And they thought hey because I mean at that point we work we were living our best life together.

01:04:12: It was just being two good friends together.

01:04:15: and so we thought, hey let's do the Trans-Siberian.

01:04:17: So leaving from Russia to all the way to the Mount Everest in Tibet!

01:04:23: We've done a lot of things actually... The thing is because we are friends first.

01:04:28: Before all of the business, before their performance... We still until today do things as friends and I think this is something that's really rare for duos cause most people who work in duo either couples or working arrangements like they worked together but not necessarily friends first.

01:04:48: This is something special And this is why it also has been working so well because now, over ten years we've been performing together.

01:04:56: We have celebrated our two thousand shows together which are a crazy amount of shows!

01:05:02: This was because Francis had really good at taking notes in the little book and making sure that every show is counted.

01:05:09: Because yeah... It's huge achievement so far.

01:05:13: But as I said, when we did the two thousand and was like well... Like i'm sure we can do three thousand too.

01:05:19: Maybe it's gonna take longer than their first two-thousand but.. ..I totally see this act still staying around!

01:05:26: It still works ,it is fun to perform .It is still fun to do !

01:05:30: Our bodies are holding up really good And I would love one day the retirement version of it, like having a couple that's not young love falling in love but people who have known each other for such long time and trust with one another.

01:05:45: And doing this act when we're like sixty five years old I just see it being magical.

01:05:51: I agree!

01:05:54: Well so this episode was supposed to be... The whole, like how did Francis get into circus?

01:05:58: and then our story?

01:06:00: I feel this has probably been already more than an hour but we don't have time for all of the questions.

01:06:04: So after feeling... We have to do a second which is just Q&A with Lea & Franciez But so we definitely gonna do that!

01:06:13: ...but i'd just would like back in to a little bit more Francie's story.

01:06:18: After this whole dual unity And kind finish off your path Because during pandemic You had time to learn something completely different, and you decided to become a nurse.

01:06:34: How has that been?

01:06:36: Is this still important for you now or is it just being in the little path?

01:06:40: because I know many people have asked how kind of things are going... What was your experience like?

01:06:46: Well, I went back to school for three years so... ...I became a nurse.

01:06:52: This was an idea since it's been very long time and actually i remember this first branch we were talking about.

01:06:57: We did at my place!

01:06:58: It is something that we talked right away At the beginning of my life.

01:07:02: I told you how helping others working in health care Was second dream of mine.

01:07:10: That made me... unsure about the circus path and I wondered if maybe it was better to go off in that other direction, which at the end i'm very glad.

01:07:28: The pandemic came so quickly we all lived it.

01:07:33: For me, my reaction was to think okay.

01:07:35: Well we had many contracts that were coming up and for most of them they were all abroad internationally And it wasn't a question of companies saying We don't want hire you.

01:07:49: It was the question of national places like I remember Kuwait.

01:07:54: where supposed go work in Kuwait The company for which we were supposed to work, they said like it's not that... We have a big problem.

01:08:02: It is not that we don't want you come but the country is shutting down and was one of first countries shut-down.

01:08:12: Bring you we cannot have foreigners coming to the country.

01:08:15: and they were trying to figure out everything.

01:08:17: And so just seeing this, many other contracts was supposed to do where being turned down because of that?

01:08:25: Well at some point I thought okay well...I'm gonna do something!

01:08:30: And i quickly jumped into this idea all right try go back to school for this amount of time that it's going to be and I'm gonna go for nursing.

01:08:39: This is another dream i had since a long time, so yeah... To be very honest It was really hard because when you've been working as in the physical way with your body Going back to school just to study mentally to have to remember many, many things.

01:09:05: It's just so different and it was a big challenge but I'm glad that did it!

01:09:16: And now i am a nurse... So this is such another job that can do whenever needed.

01:09:23: So it's kind of like a safety net that you have, if ever we go back to Canada for some reason life changes.

01:09:31: You always had an option?

01:09:33: Exactly!

01:09:34: And there was when were doing the branch come-back to this first branch.

01:09:42: I was telling you how to work internationally and help people in countries where they need medical care and all of that, there was something very close to my heart.

01:09:54: I remember telling you about it but now we remembered too right?

01:09:59: Of course!

01:10:00: And so i mean... There wasn't a surprise because i would just quickly jump into this.

01:10:05: Because i already had the backup idea for what i wanted to do But also made me realize after working as i was studying at the hospital Was lucky enough or so because I was good at school.

01:10:24: You could go work in many departments as you were studying, and i was accepted to the emergency department which is more intense since we need quite quick what are supposed to do So...I worked on the emergency room for for a year and after my studies I worked in the birth department so being with family, mother when giving birth all of that.

01:10:57: So i'm specialized on those two files And it was a beautiful time, to appreciate another aspect of life and realize that we all have many capacities.

01:11:11: We can do many things!

01:11:13: I think what's the most important is being driven by your passion... ...to really find joy in life.

01:11:22: This is important as much as I realized.

01:11:25: yes this part of me Like a caregiver, taking care of others.

01:11:38: It's part me but also I like to share my passion for art and yeah.

01:11:48: So once you finished your studies, You did your studies and then were working for a bit.

01:11:52: And we came back to the Moulin Rouge in Paris because now at the Mouna Rouge In Paris We've been here over ten years on-and off.

01:11:58: There was one year or one time with two years Back To Back which is like the longest time Here.

01:12:03: Then also last three years we have done six months Always first six month of The Year.

01:12:09: so we spent A LOT Of Time Here.

01:12:11: Now we are finishing this contract Signing a new one like there's no new contract in the future to come back.

01:12:21: So it is kind of also, Like a little bit often end Of our chapter or bigger chapter now lives.

01:12:27: But you have In the meantime kind of figured out that You really liked The arts That are still performing.

01:12:33: but this Is something thats probably A little closer To you than maybe the nurse side.

01:12:39: Now I know There was very secret Project some people Have heard in the internets.

01:12:46: And I was wondering if you wanted to share just a tiny little bit.

01:12:51: where do think your path is gonna go on next, like five years or so?

01:12:55: Five Years Is A Long Time!

01:12:57: But definitely there's this big new project coming up.

01:13:05: when are in circus arts You wanna recreate yourself and be able have good idea of what made it Good for us as a duo was that the duo say will did not exist at the time.

01:13:19: And still today, like you need to be good in solo You need to find your right partner spin on the right side and it's very rare.

01:13:25: so being rare in Circus is what most of the times makes you work well because you are unique.

01:13:34: people want that.

01:13:38: yes there Is this new project coming up?

01:13:40: It something completely new.

01:13:48: It's a new apparatus that do not exist in Circus.

01:13:51: So it is something completely original and I'm just very happy to have had this idea, so i thought about trying to construct it for three days tryouts with people that can build it and It's a process.

01:14:15: So right away already, I'm telling a lot but so this is what's happening Right now.

01:14:22: i'm creating A new apparatus And knowing at This age right Now where we are in our career What the circus industry Is looking for?

01:14:33: We Are seeking as an audience.

01:14:38: I think its gonna work well But it's only, that has to stay a secret for awhile.

01:14:43: For moment because once you launch it It's gonna become more popular people will know about it and You just want to present in the right way.

01:14:53: Yes I think your doing is super smart And i have no doubt That its going be big success.

01:14:58: Im really excited!

01:14:59: And also love now there this audience Who was kind of already like Interested and intrigued Because when we started Our launch our duo career We kind of needed the festival, the Serk Lodema Festival to be seen.

01:15:13: Like we were nobodies from a big circus school yes but like nobody in Europe had ever seen us and you need this push so that people see you whereas now... ...we've had really nice career And been lucky too have the chance to perform at different like in different Circuses, different places, different festivals.

01:15:31: So people know us People also know us on social media and follow us.

01:15:35: Now I feel when going to launch thing you I mean it would be obviously amazing to also present at a circus festivals and i think this is going happen.

01:15:47: but what's great, once we have the finished act in music.

01:15:52: You can put out there online that might have similar effect than when we did the Cirque du Démain.

01:16:00: Well, hopefully I hope so.

01:16:02: This is this the goal and actually it's funny because just talking about it now And talking about what we've went through and what we created It just reminds me of this drive this drive We had in this drive that is still on and that Is exactly?

01:16:18: What brings to life projects or dreams that you have and i think The more You Work hard into something you think is going to work or something.

01:16:33: You really truly want, it's the amount of work and passion that will be put into it... That is gonna create it!

01:16:41: And just gotta go for it !

01:16:43: It's funny because also seeing who we are now today I mean.. We know each other as a person Or very driven person ,you can do all your projects, hard work, give everything and me too.

01:16:57: but i mean I don't know, i see it from your side because if look at you and yeah.

01:17:05: It's just a good reminder to think

01:17:12: but also interesting What you see in me.

01:17:16: I say the same when you like your always When you see yourself, you're always think oh i could do more.

01:17:21: Could do better?

01:17:22: I could be questioning more.

01:17:23: but when You See The Other Person Like Oh my God They're so driven and like.

01:17:28: for Me it was that you were Always And Really Inspiring Forced Even Then Because You Always Knew So Exactly what he Wanted.

01:17:35: and for me It Was Easy at That Time to Just Follow and just like Yes, I'm along for the ride.

01:17:40: I am going to put everything in it but i liked having you as like guiding force and I still see that all of this stuff what are doing now is exactly what do want to be done when we're really putting on work-in.

01:17:52: maybe you don't know because have been working with such a long time But what your seeing me.

01:17:58: its just same thing.

01:18:00: That's very nice.

01:18:01: The duo that sees in each other as well, they also have... It is the duo unity!

01:18:08: This is really sweet.

01:18:09: Yes, well for Cease thank you so much for having been here.

01:18:13: I think this was like a great episode and i'm already happy to just listen back because it would be so nice if we go back into time And then its special all of our stuff together.

01:18:22: Like always say Our relationship has been longer than any romantic relationship we've had, even like.

01:18:29: I have a brother and we're really close but i don't get to see him every day.

01:18:33: Like...I got to see you and to have something so special is.

01:18:36: it's so nice!

01:18:37: And I really wanted to continue forever

01:18:39: Me too !

01:18:40: We are very special in beautiful relationships.

01:18:43: thank you for being there, and my work-and-life partner.

01:18:50: You're a very precious friend to me... I love you

01:18:54: too!

01:18:56: This is such healing an experience.

01:18:57: so obviously Francis will be back.

01:19:00: we need to answer some questions.

01:19:01: if you have any question that you want to ask directly you can also send them in via Circus hotline voice message because this is called the circus Hotline cuz.

01:19:11: people can call in and ask questions.

01:19:13: you have to ask The Questions In English please, and we're going to do Please

01:19:19: or in French.

01:19:20: that's also possible friend.

01:19:21: Is also very accepted.

01:19:23: And then I will see you probably next week for another solo episode and we're going to see when were gonna add this special Francis episode.

01:19:30: Also please let us know how he liked it, AND if you like how Francis was speaking because i was pretty impressed by your speaking capacity.

01:19:38: Like You are really good at talking.

01:19:41: This is not something so natural For some many people.

01:19:43: So If you like this I'm gonna link Francis's Instagram down in the description and send him a little DM on his Instagram and I'm really sure he's gonna read like

01:19:52: that.

01:19:54: Well, thank you very much!

01:19:56: You're welcome.

01:19:57: see you next week.