We are conducting this interview a good two months before the premiere. Is the program already set?
Giacobbo: More or less. There are a few things that will turn out technically, as there are also some animals involved. But we already know which numbers we will be performing with which characters.
Müller: We've also already written some of the dialog.
For example?
Giacobbo: One number is about catering for the audience. We also include a few everyday problems. But we don't do pure political satire.
Müller: We don't do a big number on digitalization either.
Improvisation is also a trademark of both of you. Are there
any spontaneous interludesalongside the written dialog numbers?
Müller: Viktor and I work like this - if we have a good idea during a performance, we incorporate it straight away. Such an improvisational part certainly makes our performance more appealing.
Giacobbo: We also have improvisation in our current stage show "Giacobbo/Müller in Therapie" - but in circus it's even more important to get people involved.
Müller: You don't know exactly what will come out of it, but we look forward to it.
"We incorporate spontaneous ideas during the show straight away."
So your jokes aren't all agreed?
Giacobbo: You can't discuss anything when it comes to the improvisational parts. In a few situations, I already know roughly how Mike will react - and vice versa. In between, we surprise ourselves. And even if one of us forgets the dialog, the other can pick it up. That's fun!
Müller: That's the advantage of having been on stage together for a long time. In a nutshell: We are the dream team!
Aren't 137 performances also a physical challenge?
Giacobbo: We both do a lot of sport. You can't do it otherwise. Of course, you don't have to be a top athlete, but you have to be able to move and be in good shape.
Müller: We do sport first and foremost to feel better. We're not shot-putters who fire off maximum power in the shortest possible time, nor are we long-distance runners. But it's always good to have a little reserve so that you don't push yourself to the limit. I played 157 theater performances last year - that's our job! The double bills - when we perform twice on the same day - are also exhausting. But our job is to stay fresh!
You both appear in several roles - the quick costume changes are certainly a challenge.
Giacobbo: Changing characters is not as much of a challenge as some people think. However, I couldn't do a Donatella Versace impersonation in the circus. I'd have to spend two and a half hours in make-up beforehand. But to transform myself into Fredi Hinz, a wig is actually enough for me.
Müller: (interrupts) Do we want to give everything away now? (laughs)
We're happy to be surprised! Change of subject: What is your personal connection to the circus?
Giacobbo: Here in Winterthur, Circus Knie used to come around Easter. That's still the case today. As a boy, I used to drive to Teuchelweiherplatz at five in the morning with my colleagues. From there, we watched the arrivals and the set-up. Of course, I also went to the performances as a child. But I was much more interested in everything that went on around it.
Müller: I used to feel very similar to Viktor. I used to go to a Högerli in Olten with my friends to watch the tractors.
Soon you'll both be part of the Knie family.
Müller: You meet artists from all over the world for a season. It's fun
fun getting to know these people. Especially because they are a different kind of people to the ones you usually meet.
Müller: I'm really looking forward to it! Fredy Knie once suggested that we could also stay in hotels. But we don't want to do that.
Have you both decided to stay in the circus wagon?
Giacobbo: If at all possible.
Müller: I'm looking forward to life in the wagon. You're in a community of artists, perform together in the show and also see each other during the day.
Giacobbo: You also work differently in the circus. The rehearsals are not so tightly structured, sometimes you just have to rush into the ring to rehearse. That's also part of it.
"We don't want to live in a hotel. We're looking forward to life in the circus wagon."
Will you find it difficult to say goodbye to Circus Knie after 137 shows together?
Müller: I will certainly miss the people. After all, you work together and experience the others in every conceivable state of mind. It's very intimate. But good friendships live on.
Giacobbo: I've been very close to many people from the big Knie team ever since - I always enjoy chatting with the Moroccan staff when we see each other. I also recently visited the camel lady Suleika, with whom I performed in 2006, again.
The two of them are the dream team - without a doubt. But are there also moments when you need some distance from each other?
Giacobbo: Sure. There are also times when we leave each other alone.
Müller: We used to shoot 18 or 19 TV shows in a short space of time. We both had the feeling that we didn't really need to talk to each other on the phone for three days.
Circus Knie
Until 17.11.2019, various locations
TICKETS
