Douceur de la ville
Delicate walk on concrete
Théâtre de l’extrême (CH)
| Duration: | approx. 45 minutes |
| Age: | From 6 years |
Zirkusquartier Zurich
Space for contemporary circus
The Zirkusquartier is Zurich’s production, performance, training, and learning center for contemporary circus and the home of the Zirkus Chnopf.
With its diverse program of shows, workshops, and courses, Zirkusquartier invites visitors of all ages to explore the many facets of circus and get involved themselves. It also offers a wide range of opportunities and resources for professional circus artists.
The Zirkusquartier is a vibrant meeting place for children, teenagers, and adults; for professionals and hobbyists; for visitors and circus artists; and, above all, for the local community. It offers a welcoming space to learn, train, perform, and connect.
Founded in 2016 by Zirkus Chnopf, the Zirkusquartier continues to serve as the company’s creative home, where new productions are developed and rehearsed.
10 Years of Zirkusquartier
We’re celebrating our anniversary—with shows, DJs, and a festive circus night full of surprises!
The Zirkusquartier was established in 2016 as the winter home of the Zirkus Chnopf, and over the past 10 years it has evolved into a centre for contemporary circus with a wide range of offerings.
Let’s celebrate at the Nuit du Cirque! There will be two circus shows, drinks from the bar, and wraps from Zirkus Chnopf. On Saturday night, DJ sets ranging from baile to techno will make the Güterbahnhof shake, and circus surprises—from burlesque to clownesque, from spectacular to sentimental—will make the night shine.
Celebrate the past 10 years with us—let’s raise a glass and hit the dance floor together!
Shows
Circus moments: from large circus festivals to small tryouts, you can experience a variety of shows in the Zirkusquartier.
Workshops
Our regular workshops with renowned Artists offer the perfect opportunity to get to know different circus disciplines.
Courses
Learn a wide variety of acrobatic disciplines in our weekly courses or come along to our open training sessions!
Past dates:
- 08. September 13:30
- 07. September 17:30
- 06. September 17:45
Douceur de la ville
Where can we still find softness in our urban concrete jungles?
To answer this question, Luana Volet and Lia Schädler asked city dwellers about their “soft places” in their cities. By visiting these places according to a predefined pattern, the dancers have developed physical elements that they adapt for each new walk depending on the location. With dance performances, chalk arrows, observations and short texts, “douceur de la ville” guides the audience – sometimes spectators, sometimes performers – through the urban labyrinth with curiosity, lightness and dynamism. Beyond the traffic and hustle and bustle, “douceur de la ville” invites you to experience the city at a different pace. The city thus becomes a scene of active perception, a kind of scavenger hunt that is experienced with the body and the eyes.
douceur de la ville is a delicate walk on concrete – an interactive stroll through the city.
Théâtre de l’extrême
The Théâtre de l’extrême creates multidisciplinary performing arts performances that combine dance, movement theater and circus arts with the aim of performing in public spaces.
Since 2020, the Théâtre de l’extrême has co-written various projects under the artistic direction of Luana Volet (graduate of the Accademia Teatro Dimitri in 2019 (Bachelor) and the FAI-AR- formation supérieure d’art en espace public in 2023 (Master)): “3ciclopunkers” a street spectacle on a tricycle with Luca Lombardi and Matteo Chippari, “maudit, maudit, maudit” a wicked dance duo with Patrice Bussy, “douceur de la ville”, a tender walk on concrete with Lia Schädler. The Théâtre de l’extrême is currently working on its next creation “parade d’intimidation aigre-douce” with Françoise Gautier, Daniela Vargas, Elisabeth Merle, Martha Mutapay and Jane Fournier.
The world premiere ofdouceur de la ville took place in October 2021 in co-production with Wie wär’s mal mit in Basel CH. Since then, douceur de la ville has performed at various festivals such as Tanzfest 2022 Basel, Sommerwerft 2022 Frankfurt, Buatschfestival 2022 Tersnaus GR, Festival Sévelin 2022 in collaboration with the Théâtre Sévelin36 Lausanne, Fête de la danse 2023 Yverdon les bains, Les Culturelles EPFL 2023 Lausanne, Dance ON TOUR 2024 (Winterthur, Liestal, Bern, Genève).
Trailer: Douceur de la ville
Audience information
This show is part of the ZirQus 2024 festival. You can find all information about the festival here.
doucer de la ville is a walk through the city. Please be at the meeting point on time.
Hat collection: The show is based on hat collection. This means that there will be a collection after the show and you decide your ticket price (cash or twint).
Wheelchair accessibility: The walk is wheelchair accessible. There are two minor obstacles (stairs and meadow), but these can be avoided. The Zirkusquartier is wheelchair accessible. Further information on accessibility can be found here. If you have any questions, please contact the Zirkusquartier directly .
Age: Please note the age information.
The ZirQus 2024 festival is supported by:
