The Circus Monti Troupe
A fortune-teller promises too much and throws the whole circus into chaos. Circus Monti is presenting its new production, “Poussière d’étoiles,” through November 29, 2026, in eight cities across German-speaking Switzerland.
Flickering lights, fragrant smoke, a crystal ball: the story begins in the tent of an eccentric fortune-teller. He promises to reveal the secrets of fate, gazes up at the stars, and predicts people’s futures. His ambitions are boundless—and that has consequences. Acrobatic performances go awry, choreographies fall apart, magic tricks backfire. The fortune-teller maneuvers himself deeper and deeper into trouble. He has only one option left: he must regain the trust of those around him.
Yet a unique, chaotic magic emerges from these mishaps. Failures are transformed into circus poetry. This is precisely what “Poussière d’étoiles” is about: failure, wonder, and the misunderstandings in between.
As is customary with Monti, the ensemble takes on dual roles. The 14 performers from Argentina, Haiti, Cuba, Colombia, Canada, France, and Switzerland showcase their specialties, including juggling, the Cyr wheel, contortion, handstands, the Russian bars, the catching chair, the vertical rope, and straps. At the same time, they take on roles and weave the individual acts into a continuous narrative. A circus orchestra with six musicians accompanies the performances live. The music is by Thierry Epiney from Sierre. “Poussière d’étoiles” is his sixth original composition for Circus Monti.
Itzel Viruega (Mexico/Canada) and Jérémie Robert (France/Canada) are responsible for the concept and direction for the first time. The two have been working together as a directing duo since 2022 and have collaborated with Cirque du Soleil and Les 7 Doigts de la Main, among others. Robert is already familiar with the Monti big top: in 2015, he performed as an artist in the Chapiteau himself. The ensemble rehearsed for eight weeks in Wohlen, Aargau, under the direction of the two.
On March 12, 1985, the Muntwyler circus family celebrated its first premiere in Wohlen. Since 1992, Circus Monti has focused on programs that combine circus and theater. It is the only circus to have won the Prix Walo twice (in 1998 and 2000), and in 2023 it received the Swiss Performing Arts Prize from the Federal Office of Culture. Performances take place in an arched-mast tent: The two masts stand outside the tent fabric, and all 750 seats offer an unobstructed view of the ring.
The tour runs through November 29, 2026, and will visit Windisch, Basel, Wettingen, Aarau, Lucerne, Bern, Solothurn, Winterthur, and Zurich. Approximately 125 performances are scheduled.