Québec’s Cirque Alfonse has just touched down in Sydney with the surreal circus experience, Animal. These cowbell-juggling, mechanical-bull-backflipping acrobats might look familiar – they last hit Sydney Festival in 2015 with Timber!, a show inspired by lumberjacks. The intergenerational circus troupe also toured Australia in 2017 with their big and beardy spectacle Barbu. 

Animal combines Cirque Alfonse’s jaw-dropping acrobatics with agricultural antics, live music and childhood memories. “Everyone leaves our show feeling like they witnessed something magical – something authentic that can only come from family, lots of love and of course talent,” Alain Carabinier, the troupe’s grandfather, has said.

Hailing from the little town of Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, Cirque Alfonse was founded in 2005 by Antoine Carabinier-Lépine and Alain (his father). In just 20 years, the rural-raised collective has toured some of the biggest cities in the world with their authentic circus style. 

Let’s get to know this barnstorming bunch. 

Meet the acrobats

Antoine Carabinier Lépine

Antoine brings his epic talents across rolla bolla, perch, teeter board and trumpet. After training at the National Circus School of Montréal, he has collaborated on numerous shows including Cirque du Soleil’s Celebrity Cruise Project, Cirque Éloize’s Nomade and Cirque Orchestra, Cirkus Cirkör’s 99% Unknown and Copenhagen Royal Opera’s Maskarade.

Julie Carabinier Lépine

Julie is a whiz on rolla bolla, hand to hand, the wheelbarrow and singing. At age 8, she was initiated into the world of classical ballet and later became fascinated by modern dance and theatre. She trained in dance and performed for noted choreographers – but then discovered the circus.

Alain Carabinier

The grandfather of Cirque Alfonse, you’ll see Alain on perch and as a farmer character. Alain was born in Switzerland and filled his early years with competitive alpine skiing and soccer. He travelled around the world before settling down in Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez. He's also a soccer trainer and a wallpaper hanger (what can’t he do?).

Jonathan Casaubon

From age 7, Jonathan was somersaulting and perfecting his flips in the family garden. He received his diploma from Montréal’s National Circus School, specialising in teeterboard and trampoline. He has taught circus arts in Switzerland and has worked with Starlight Circus, Cirque du Soleil and more. In Animal, he faces off with the teeterboard and mechanical bull.

Jean-Philippe Cuerrier

Multi-talented acrobat and performer Jean-Philippe takes on the rolla bolla, perch, wheelbarrow, teeterboard and saxophone. He discovered a passion for acrobatics and juggling at Verdun Circus School. He trained at the National Circus School and has performed with Circus Starlight, Cirque Éloize and more.

Geneviève Morin 

Geneviève’s acrobatic excellence is on display across rolla bolla, hand to hand, the wheelbarrow and perch. She’s a graduate of the National Circus School.

Meet the musos

Josianne Laporte 

Josianne has travelled around the world as a musician with circus companies and gained experience on multiple television shows. In Animal, she has percussion covered.

David Simard 

A native of Lac-St-Jean, David is a multi-instrumentalist who specialises in traditional music from Québec. He plays guitar and banjo, sings and is the musical composer. 

Guillaume Turcotte 

Guillaume is a multi-instrumentalist from Québec who describes his music as a blend of rock, prog, folk and orchestral. He’s on keys.