Following a wildly successful run at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, circus duo Agathe Bisserier and Adrien Malette-Chenier make their Philadelphia debut with N.Ormes. Dynamic, dysfunctional, and deftly acrobatic, N.Ormes pushes the limits of the artists’ bodies and gender norms alike through feats of acrobatics and dance.
This captivating piece follows Agathe and Adrien, the two protagonists, and their relationship as they navigate power struggles and their own complicity in the status quo. The spare stage transforms into an arena for the duo to battle: they challenge each other in hand to hand, Icarian games, and dance. One by one, archetypes fall, and Agathe and Adrien embark on a quest for friendship and fairness through shared strength and fluidity.
An original score by Simon Leoza and lighting by Claire Seyller set the tone for us to witness intimate moments of frenzy and exhaustion. As the pair change roles, they create a new language that blurs our preconceptions.
PERFORMANCES
Friday, May 23 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 24th at 7:30pm
FringeArts
140 N. Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
TICKETS
$30 General Admission
$15 students, industry, 25 & under
$2 FringeACCESS
Recommended for ages 14+
CREATIVE TEAM
Direction and interpretation: Agathe Bisserier and Adrien Maletter-Chénier
Lighting Design: Claire Seyller
Musical Composition: Simon Leoza
Costume Design: Sophie El Assad
Outside Eyes – Choreographer: Stacey Desilier
Outside Eyes – Dramaturgy: Agathe Foucault, Stephen Crête
The duo, “Agathe & Adrien” graduated from the Circus School of Quebec in 2018. They work at the edge of circus, dance, and theater/performing arts.
This multidisciplinary allows them to develop a unique circus vocabulary. As emerging artists Agathe and Adrein started their career working for well established circus companies in Quebec, but needing to express their social and environmental values through a committed circus, they turned towards independent circus creations presented in Quebec including Branché, Piece of Mind, Interact and now, N.Ormes.
DON’T MISS:
Hand to Hand Workshop
Saturday, May 24, 2PM at FringeArts
In their partner acrobatics workshops (hand-to-hand), Agathe and Adrien teach and explore foundational and advanced techniques and concepts of acrobatic lifts. All while promoting the core values of their practice, such as consent, communication, trust, and safety.
Having taught for several years, Agathe and Adrien aim to share, through their expertise in acrobatics, healthy training techniques for both the body and mind. Through movement, the duo addresses questions about power dynamics and our relationship with the body, offering tools they have discovered over years of questioning and deconstructing their own methods.
See More Circus!
The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival (PCCF) runs May 23 - June 1, 2025, featuring artists from Philly's vibrant contemporary circus community as well as ground-breaking artists from across the nation and beyond. These contemporary circus artists defy limitations, reimagine what’s possible, and create breathtaking moments of connection for audiences of all ages. Don't miss thrilling shows that blend acrobatics, dance, theater, and storytelling to push the boundaries of performance.
SUPPORT
The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
