June 28–30, 2019

“Takes the audience through a gamut of innocent emotions that are full of simple joy. Sensuous, insouciant and transporting, this gentle child- like dance of love and friendship transcends language and utterly captivates with imagination and fun.”
–Edinburgh Guide

Two modern-day clowns take the stage for a breathtaking comedy of errors inspired by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and the stars of silent films. Combining slapstick, clowning, acrobatics, and aerial work, Swiss duo Compagnia Baccalà reflects on the human condition without uttering a word in this timeless performance of enthralling physicality.

Pss Pss has has been performed over 700 times across five continents to widespread acclaim. Inventive, exciting, and ridiculous, it will keep you laughing long after you leave the theater.

Recommended for ages 9+.

The performance on Sunday, June 30 will be audio described for patrons who are blind or have low-vision.

$20 general | $14 members
$15 students & 25-and-under
$10 children 12-and-under
$2 FringeACCESS members

The SPARK Series is made possible by a leadership gift from the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund.

Feature Photo by Pierre Colletti

About the Artists

Creators/Performers: Camilla Pessi and Simone Fassari
Director: Louis Spagna
Artistic collaboration and technical management: Valerio Fassari
Lighting Designer: Christoph Siegenthaler

Compagnia Baccalà was born from the union of Simone Fassari (him) and Camilla Pessi (her). They ran away from the circus they were in and created Pss Pss and the rest is history. Winner of 15 international prizes, unique, funny, virtuoso and very charming, Pss Pss has been performed over 700 times in over 50 countries and on all 5 continents to huge acclaim. Poetic, surreal, intimate, and infinitely enjoyable, Pss Pss is a show that transports us, without words, to the seriousness and innocence of childhood.

Louis Spagna lives in Belgium and is a theatre director, musician, accordion builder, teacher, actor and clown. He has a degree in Roman philology and was part of Cirque du Soleil’s first ever tour in 1984. He started his career as a writer and director in 1995 and has created many contemporary circus show for a variety of international companies (including Argonauts, OkidOk and Baccalà Clown). Simplicity and good taste have always been at the heart of his works.

About Hand to Hand

FringeArts and Circadium School of Contemporary Circus present a multi-day festival of contemporary circus arts. Featuring performances on the FringeArts stage and outside in the Haas Biergarten, Hand to Hand brings remarkable levels of artistry and ability together for a thrilling long weekend of events, perfect for the whole family. Performances and workshops include acrobatics, aerials, clowning, juggling, and everything in between. Read more about the other Hand to Hand events below:

Circus Midway
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts
June 30, 11am–3pm

Learn the basics of aerial acrobatics, juggling, plate spinning, and tight wire at this day of free outdoor workshops and performances.

Test Flights
Curated by Ben Grinberg
July 1 at 7pm

The most skilled and expressive jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists in the region present works-in-progress.

Learn more about the history behind contemporary circus on the FringeArts Blog!

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