In my high school history class, it was referred to as the “dirty thirties.” But still visionary Wayne Van De Graff was enthralled by the magical fringe life of the 1930s and was inspired enough to create the Carnivale Lune Bleue. I was fortunate enough to attend this delightful festival yesterday evening in the small town of Kars, near Manotick, just half an hour outside of downtown Ottawa.
At a first impression, the Carnivale seems a modest affair — set in a snug fairground environment, with only a few stage tents, two rides, a midway, a freaky museum, and a simple restaurant. Since it was only a Tuesday evening, it was not filled with crowds of people, as I imagine it could be over the weekend. I recognized several Ottawa actors working as carnies and entertainers. For the most part, it was quiet, quaint, and generally demure.
That is, until, you enter the stage tents! The three mainstage productions were simply phenomenal. And all entirely different from one another. At under an hour each, these shows were the perfect length for children, but enough to keep everyone satisfied. Since each performance runs two or three times every evening, it is possible to catch all three shows, and I definitely recommend them all.
Diablo and Sword Swallower
Carnival Diablo was hosted by a devilish character named Nicolai Diablo, who promised to shock and amaze us by defying all types of bodily pain. He did some amazing things like hammering a nail into his nose, drinking boiling water, and swallowing three razor sharp blades. It was disgusting, and honestly I have no idea how he did it. He was joined onstage by a sword-swallower and a strong man nicknamed “the human dart board.” That’s pretty self-explanatory, I think. This trio was especially impressive, I think, because they were so engaged in their over-the-top style of performance. Their costumes, their voices, their movements, and their interaction was so theatrical. They knew how to make us laugh, make us cringe, and make us gaze in disbelief at their death-defying feats. The only thing that bugged me was when they tried to sell us merchandise at the end: it totally broke the suspension of disbelief for me. They could have easily asked a stage manager or an usher to do that for them.
Bending metal pole with teeth
Cirque Maroc was a colourful fairytale adventure featuring members of Cirque de Soleil and Ringling Brothers in a very intimate environment. It was such a treat sitting a mere few feet away from the stage as five gorgeous and talented women performed all kinds of stunning acrobatics. Each performer had her object of choice: a tight rope, a trapeze, hula hoops, stacked chairs, and something that looked like a hamster wheel. Each unique performance was flawlessly done and accompanied by beautiful music that suited the pieces perfectly. Providing comic relief were two very aroused men (can you blame them??) watching these women, completely in awe of their beauty and skill. My thoughts were pretty much the same.
The third and final show featured Great Snakes of the World, including a 20-foot Giant Rock Python that is documented as having swallowed a man whole. Thank goodness that evening he wasn’t terribly hungry. I am incredibly proud that I was brave enough to lay my hand on his scaly skin after the performance. It felt warm and smooth and comforting. Dressed up as a crocodile hunter, the host wasn’t quite as confident or convincing as the men from Carnival Diablo, but I think the kids really enjoyed his boastful humour as he described almost having had his head bitten off by a ferocious snake.
While I had an incredible time at these three impressive shows, it was the Carnivale’s simplicity and unpretentiousness that I found the most charming. It didn’t have that commercial feel of the Ottawa Ex, and yet there was ample entertainment to keep you busy from the opening at 6pm until the closing at midnight. And that little restaurant actually has gourmet food from the time period: it looked delicious. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay for the entire evening, but I did have the chance to mount the authentic 1930s ferris wheel before returning downtown. It reminded me of a chapter from E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” when the little girl named Fern gets her first kiss atop a ferris wheel at the county fair. There was something so sweet and nostalgic about just sitting there in a two-seater, feeling every rock and flow of the contraption, like riding your favourite old bicycle around a suburban street corner.
Carnivale Lune Bleue has truly captured that old world charm and had transformed it into something that can be enjoyed by all. What a treat. I hope I have a chance to return before the summer is out — it runs until September 6th.
I went the other night and I enjoyed it very much, too. I agree with most of what you said. I think the crocodile hunter was acting his part… I have a feeling it was mostly done for the kids, and that that uneasy confidence factor was a part of the act.
Unfortunately, I had to leave early as well — about 9:30 — but still caught all three shows. I am from out of town, so I actually stayed at Rideau River provincial park about 15km away and they close the gates at 10pm! They organized it well so that the shows all trailed into each other, with a bit of breathing room in between. I didn’t go on the rides, though.
I also agree about the merchandising in Diablo… it didn’t seem right that he would do that himself.
The hamster wheel is called a German wheel, by the way… along with the slack rope, it was the best part of the Maroc show for me!
Greetings:
I came across your review of our show while looking for presskit material from the internet. It is a great review and I am glad you had such a good time.
I did however feel compelled to comment on the bad taste left in your mouth related to the merchandising at the end of the show.
The selling of “after-catch” at a carnival sideshow is deeply rooted in carnival history, a tradition that comes from the fact that most of the acts in the sideshow were not paid a whole lot of money. The Giant’s ring, a post-card or a deck of cards were all ways that the performers could make some extra, much needed money.
Further, much of the (rare) sideshow paraphernalia that survives today from days gone by are these above mentioned items purchased by spectators after a show. Museums, libraries and archives simply didn’t see the carnival sideshow as legitimate entertainment and thus it wasn’t historically significant. The major portion of the items we find today that trace and document our history comes from these private collections.
I disagree with you that it was in any way a break from character; we, the performers, actually saw that part of the show as another act in itself – a sort of tribute to the snake-oil salesman of yesteryear.
True, we could have had a “stage manager” or usher sell these items for us – but that would undermine our attempt to do our “meet and greet”. We enjoy talking with our audiences after our shows.
With that, I bid you adieu and I look forward to working Carnivàle Lune Bleue next summer along side my fellow “Freaks”, the Snake Show and Cirque Maroc; and maybe you’ll buy a postcard.
-The Infamous István Betyár
Sword-Swallower Extraordinaire!
Hi István!
Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn’t aware of that tradition, so it hadn’t occurred to me that your troupe was following a certain trend set in carnival history. It was only a gut reaction I felt during the experience – but I do get your point.
I will definitely be back next summer for the Carnivale. It was definitely one of my favourite outings this summer, and your troupe’s presentation was incredibly unique.
All my best in your sword swallowing endeavours!
Jessica
My wife and I visited the Carnivale Lune Bleue last night – stayed from 5:00 till 11:30 pm We saw all shows and absolutely Loved it. we will return every year if it returns. Our kids are too little to go – so we hope to take them back with us.
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