24th-29th January 2017

Different locations

, Marseille,

Benja

Borogodó

Brazil

[ BIAC Selection ] Traditional and Contemporary Circus, Digital and Visual Arts, Music
55mn

Ages 6 and up

Under the big top

Make a reservation TICKETS /Full Price:18 € / Reduced: 14€ / Children -12 years: 10€ Reduced tickets available for students, people less than 25, people seeking work, and people on long term social assistance. Supporting document required, less than 3 months old. TheCarte l’Attitude Provence card is accepted. Discover the various ticket specialsSite opens one hour before the first performance.BUS n°83, La Plage stop + night bus n°583METRO Rond-Point du Prado then bus n°19, La Plage stopBIKE SHARING Promenade Pompidou David, Prado Borély or Mendès France Huveaune station. Thinking about car pooling!

Presentation

1895. Benjamin de Oliveira is 12 years old. The son of slaves, he earns money by selling cornmeal cake on the streets of Patafufu. One day, a little circus called Sotero comes to his village. The boy sneaks inside and is entranced by everything he sees, especially the snake woman. As if he couldn't resist the call of the circus, Benja decides that he will become the first black-skinned clown in Brazil, that he will perform the samba in the circus world. Benja mixes cinema, theatre, and circus to create a hybrid performance that is a feast for the eyes. There is even a little music too: an operetta, a touch of song, and of course some samba. Altogether, this creates a festive atmosphere to address some of society's most sensitive questions: racism, challenges, dreams, and the quest for identity. The poetic force of Benja is inspired by the incredible resilience of an extraordinary character. This production is an artistic experiment that unites France and Brazil, the digital arts and traditional circus.

Distribution

Concept, Script, and Staging: Karen Acioly
Original Score and Musical Direction: Roberto Bürgel
Narrator and Pianist: Roberto Burgel
Snakewoman and Other Women: Natasha Jascalevich
Benja: Alan Rocha
Production Manager: Gregorio Tavares
Digital Arts: Thomas Pachoud
Scenery and Set Design: Davi Bartex
Costumes: Carol Lobato
Photos: Andrea Nestrea
Choreography: Alex Neoral
Vocal Preparation and Arrangement: Jules Vandystadt
Digital Arts and Video Design: Thomas Pachoud (France)
Preparation of Circus and Choreography: Alex Neoral
Lighting: Fernanda Mantovani
Communication and Marketing: Marcelo Mucida
Programming: Studio Cream Crackers
Finance: Andreia Fernades

https://www.biennale-cirque.com/en/program/benja-9?onglet=distribution

Biography

Borogodó was founded in 1995 by the Brazilian Karen Acioly, a playwright and director who embraces a multidisciplinary approach by adopting the most diverse narratives from the visual and performance arts. The company has created 35 shows over the course of its history and published 10 works, many of which have received awards in in Brazil.

Highly active on the international level, the company is behind the performing arts festival FIL (Festival Internacional Intercâmbio de Linguagens) which will hold its 15th edition in 2017 and organizes artist residences in collaboration with countries like France, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Canada, Argentina, and Colombia. The company has produced an array of performances including such recent shows as:

- Fedegunda (2010/2014), a lyrical tale that was presented in seven cities in Brazil and seven cities in France;

- Fina (2011/2012), a text creation by Karen Acioly that was put on stage in collaboration with Chantier Théâtre and the Florence Lavaud company;

- The shows Cabelos Arrepiados and Sinfonieta Braguinha which were presented in 2005 during the Year of Brazil in France. The most recent creations by the Borogodó company are Experiência Yellow (2016/2017) and Histórias de Naná, which will be presented to the public in 2017.

https://www.biennale-cirque.com/en/program/benja-9?onglet=bio