When the talented French troupe Cirque La Compagnie performed their first show, L’avis Bidon, at Letní Letná in 2021, they completely enchanted festival audiences. This August, they return with their second production and a warning: hold on tight. In the acrobatic road trip *Pandax*, five brothers set out in a small Fiat Panda to scatter their father’s ashes. But the journey is by no means somber; on the contrary, it’s a non-stop ride full of unexpected twists that keep the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The quintet also tackles breathtaking acts with ease and humor—from balancing on a ladder to knife throwing. Plus, they’re fueled by the energy of a lively Balkan band.
A favorite of the Letná audience, Compagnie Rasposo brings its current festival hit. The visually inventive new production Hourvari is simply a must-see. In this impressive spectacle, it is hard to tell who is a puppet and who is an acrobat, who leads and who is led.
The tightrope walker’s balancing act and stunts on the acrobatic swing thus become part of an existential story in which authenticity and illusion hold equal power. In the performance Hourvari, no one can be sure of even themselves, but one thing is certain: the Rasposo troupe will earn a standing ovation, just as they did with their brilliant show Morsure at Letní Letná more than a decade ago.
In contrast, an Austrian-German artistic trio will take the stage before a festival audience for the first time. Michael Zandl, David Eisele and Kolja Huneck do without demanding acrobatic acts in their Sawdust Symphony, but all the more fully develop the art of object manipulation.
Their playful symphony of sawdust, tools, and the irrepressible human need to create expands our understanding of contemporary circus. It’s not just DIY enthusiasts who will appreciate the craftsmanship, wit, and passion that have brought this adventure—with its scent of fresh wood and gasoline—to life.
“We are delighted to be bringing titles this year that resonated strongly on the international scene last season. Some companies are returning to Letní Letná, so audiences can witness the evolution of their work. Every performance has its own poetics, its own expression; each is unique in some way, which is why it will be especially difficult to choose just one this year. The guys from Cirque La Compagnie will offer an entertaining and playful show with masterful acrobatics, while Compagnie Rasposo brings its signature striking visuals and precise acrobatics. A trio of German-speaking performers will bring an intimate, wood-scented object manipulation act. And we mustn’t forget the Australian troupe Circa, whose tickets are already on sale. We believe that everyone will take away a powerful experience from this year’s Letní Letná lineup,” comments Letní Letná festival director Jiří Turek.
All of the aforementioned stars of the circus arts will join the previously announced show Wolf by the returning Australian troupe Circa in the international program of Letní Letná. Visitors to the 23rd edition can enjoy these contemporary circus experiences from August 12 to 31.
