A Big Circus In A Little Space - Cirque Fou Opens Sept. 21 At Players' Ring

No one needs to bring binoculars for the circus that's arriving next month at the Players' Ring Theatre in downtown Portsmouth. In fact, audience members are likely to feel the wind in their hair or hear the squeak of the gyroscopic wheel when performers fly through the air in "The Treasure of Cirque Fou," a steampunk pirate-themed circus show.

The six performers juggling, clowning and doing acrobatics and other aerial feats in "The Treasure of Cirque Fou" will appear on a bedroom-sized stage under 10-foot ceilings. And oh yes, there is also a spot in the ceiling where it reaches to a full 18 feet.

"Because the theater is so small, it gives people the chance to see the circus close up," said Nicholas LaPenn, 36, of Lowell, co-creator of the show whose own act includes standing in the large, spinning gyroscopic wheel while performing acrobatics.

This circus, running Friday, Sept. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 7, follows the story of the crew of a research vessel looking for the legendary treasure of "cirque fou." It is narrated by an academic - played by Tomer Oz, 28, of Portsmouth - who was aboard the pirate ship and tells the tale through an impressive array of circus acts.

LaPenn and his partner, Bri LeBuff, 33, created Full Times Fools to bring together professional and emerging artists for circus productions and other acts.

"We like to collaborate with other circus artists, whether new or up and coming, to find ways to bring people together to create shows," said LeBuff.

Other apparatus and the people who will be using them include Sara Kunz of Hawaii, who crushes it on the hula hoops and doing contortion; Christina Alleger of Chelmsford, Mass., who uses an aerial hoop called a lyra; and Kaity Thomson of Dover, the choreographer who also dances. Oz, originally from the Netherlands, adds clowning to his narration.

Not to be ignored, the newest apparatus being demonstrated by the Full Time Fools for the first time in this show is, as LaPenn describes it, "a 14-foot sea monster puppet that can be used for aerial acrobatics."

Full Time Fools last year presented a variety circus show called "Dr Von Nostrand's Collection of Curiosities" at the Players' Ring, and LaPenn and LeBuff appear regularly in the Mad Haus performances that are part of the Red Light Series at Seacoast Rep in Portsmouth.

"We were introduced to the space for another show and we love being creative with it," said LeBuff, a dancer dancer and acrobat whose main apparatus is a hanging piece of fabric that forms a swing. "Nick specializes in an using little space in an apparatus that usually needs a lot."

Joi Smith, producer liaison from the Ring's board, said she was blown away by what the Cirque Fou cast can do in the Rings's small space, which seats 75 people in the audience.

"It's dramatic to do such amazing physical feats in such a tiny space," Smith said. "It's is pretty extraordinary and mesmerizing."

"The Treasure of Cirque Fou" will be performed Fridays through Sundays, Sept. 21 to Oct. 7, at the Players' Ring Theater at 105 Marcy St. in Portsmouth. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are $18 with discounts for students, seniors, and Players' Ring members. Reservations can be made at playersring.org or by calling 603-436-8123.

Photo: Nicholas LaPenn and Bri LeBuff, both of Lowell, perform circus acts in the steampunk circus performance, The Treasure of Cirque Fou

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