14 FRINGE FEATURE
Clowns return
with a magical tale
set in an attic
TWO YOUNG FRIENDS love to meet in a
magical candlelit secret attic to read books and
play games – but the lights begin to fade.
Canadian acrobatic clown company Les
Foutoukours return to the Fringe with the
world premiere of their heart-warming new
show Nova.
And this year they will introduce audiences
to a pair of highly talented young performers
Joaquim Verrier and Emma Verhaeghe.
The pair will appear as the boy and girl at the
heart of the story which is set in the depths of a
cold, dark winter.
The children are together in the magical attic
when the enchanted candles, which provide
light, and heat go out.
The children need to find a way to rekindle
the flames before they freeze.
Combining gentle humour, outright hilarity,
gravity-defying acrobatics and dazzling
juggling, it’s ideal children’s entertainment that
will delight the whole family.
Les Foutoukours are a long-established
company, touring acrobatic clown shows
worldwide since 1997.
Along the way they have won a series of
awards such as the 2022 Avignon OFF
Awards for Young Audiences.
They have appeared at the Fringe three
times in the past, with their ★★★★★
hit shows Kombini and Brotipo, earning
widespread critical acclaim and being
described as “masters of slapstick” by
The Scotsman.
Jean-Félix Bélanger, musical
BACK LIKE A BOOMERANG and
ready for another Fringe full of fun –
comedy hypnotist Matt Hale is
returning from Oz to Edinburgh with
the TOP FUN! 80s Spectacular Remix.
So, strap in and get ready for an
unmissable party-vibe show fuelled by
jet-powered silliness and your favourite
sounds from music’s coolest decade.
The multi comedy award-winning
Matt Hale will be at the heart of the
on-stage action – with more bounce
than a kangaroo on a pogo stick.
After the success of his original show
at last year’s Fringe, and 70 million+
views online, Matt’s Remix version has
enjoyed huge popularity Down Under.
It’s 60 minutes of pure joy whether
you are sitting in the audience or
accept the invitation to dive in and join
Matt on stage.
The TOP FUN! 80s Spectacular Remix
is ideal for all ages and the whole
family (only over 18s on stage).
Matt says: “I’m really looking forward
to being back in Edinburgh with the
Remix, it’ll be a real blast with loads
more 80s music and new hypno hijinks.
“No two shows are ever the same,
except that they’re all crazy, fun, and
leave you feeling absolutely fantastic.”
Matt is a renowned for his fresh
brand of hypno-laughs that turn the
sometimes stuffy traditional hypnosis
show on its head.
Based in Perth, Australia, but originally
from the UK, Matt uses the focussed
imagination of volunteers to unlock the
incredible ability of their minds.
With the power of suggestion,
audiences enjoy a wild 80s ride
featuring air guitars, meerkats,
supermodels, bizarre Bon Jovi
moments, and the best dance moves
this side of ’85.
And the upbeat soundtrack of top
80s hits will have everyone singing
along, with everything from Islands in
the Stream to Ghostbusters.LISTINGS
Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose, Big Yin
(Venue 24) Tickets here. https://tickets.
edfringe.com/whats-on/hypnotist-
matt-hale-top-fun-80s-spectacular-
remix
See @hypnohale and http://www.MattHale.
com.au
See @LesFoutoukoursdirector, said: “We are so
looking forward to
bringing Nova to the
Fringe. It is a show full
of laughter, acrobatics
and juggling which we
hope will be a delight not
just for children but for
everyone in the family.”
The company champions
traditional circus clown
techniques and seek to bring
wonderment to audiences in every
type of venue.
Nova is a show in which dreams take
flight and anything is possible, revelling in
the joy of play. It marries clowning with a
celebration of childhood creativity, leaving the
audience with a sense of happiness and
reminded that even in dark times there is light
to be found.
It also embodies the company’s emphasis on
gentleness, audience interaction, and
emotional diversity.
Some of Nova’s themes are drawn from
Hans Christian Andersen’s tale The Little
Match Girl, but with a more positive storyline
and outcome.LISTINGS
Assembly Roxy – upstairs (Venue 139)
Tickets here. https://tickets.edfringe.com/
whats-on/nova
See @LesFoutoukoursQUEBEC-BASED CLOWN
company Les Foutoukours are
enjoying growing international
demand for their gentle brand
of family entertainment.
At this year’s Fringe they
introduce Emma Verhaeghe and
Joaquim Verrier – highly trained
young acrobats and jugglers.
Here they explain how they
escaped ordinary hum-drum life
for careers as clowns.
Emma says: “I grew up in a
small Belgian village where my
main occupation was talking to
sheep and rabbits and racing
wheelbarrows.
“One day, I put the
wheelbarrow aside and bought a
bike. I went faster and further. I
stopped by the music school andThe bright new faces of Les Foutoukours
(l-r) Musical Director Jean-Félix Bélanger, Emma Verhaeghe,
Joaquim Verrier and Artistic Director Rémi Jacquescame out with a French horn that
was about my size. Later I joined
a brass band. Walking to the
rhythm of the music, I did a nice
somersault by stumbling on the
cobblestones. What if I learned to
do real acrobatics?
“Gymnastics gave me the
strength and flexibility I needed
to compete in the European
Acrosport Championship in- I was 18.
“What if I became a tightrope
walker? I asked for help from the
Circus Arts Center Balthazar in
Montpellier. Then I flew to the
National Circus School in
Montreal. And now it’s the Fringe.”
Joaquim discovered started
circus school in Saône et Loire,
France, aged six, and has never
looked back.
He said: “I also did theatre,
music, and dance... I alwayspreferred circus. Eventually I was
admitted to the National Circus
School of Montreal.
“After graduating there was the
pandemic, so I became an Uber
Eats delivery driver and then a
dishwasher. These odd jobs
allowed me to continue to create
and develop my technique.
“I always wanted to push artistic
expression in my juggling, and I
discovered that the medium of
clowning was wonderful for that, so
I decided to train in clown arts with
Les Foutoukours Subsequently, I
had the chance to join their
upcoming production Nova.”
Joaquim and Emma met in 2016
and always wanted to share the
stage. Thanks to Les Foutoukours
their dream has come true.Les Foutoukours - clowns Joaquim
Verrier and Emma VerhaegheMatt Hale’s Top
Fun! 80s
Spectacular Remix