The role of the fly in "Ovo" by Cirque du Soleil is tailor-made for Jan Dutler. Like his character "The Foreigner", the Zurich native has in the past found himself in an unfamiliar world and vied for attention. Not that of a ladybug, however, but that of the audience.
After his apprenticeship as a carpenter, Jan Dutler traveled to Eastern Europe, Australia and the USA, experimented as a street clown with ukulele, harmonica, trombone and beatboxing - until he landed in Canada in 2014. He studied clowning, mime and physical theater in Montreal. During his studies, the artist created a 60-minute oneman cabaret show, combining his many facets into one large whole. He performed this program at the Montreal Fringe Festival 2016. Jan Dutler produced a variety show with five fellow students and performed at the Clown Festival in Toronto and New York. The organization "Clowns Without Borders" also took the artist to Central America. The humanitarian project travels to crisis areas on a voluntary basis to give people the courage to face life again.
"Travel is important to me. I also want to be on tour after Cirque du Soleil."
The globetrotter made a name for himself in the scene with his shows and performances as a street musician. He now describes his role with Cirque du Soleil as his breakthrough. "It's always been my dream to be part of this show. I never thought it would come true." The talented artist was in the right place at the right time, as he says himself. He got to know the clown who had played the role of the fly before him. "Because his engagement was limited in time, he recommended me to the artistic director as a replacement." With his style, his winning manner and a lot of video material, Jan Dutler won over the producers of "Ovo" and prevailed against five competitors. "I really wanted this. I was completely pissed off. But it's really cool that it happened so quickly." What the clown particularly likes about the Cirque du Soleil concept is the mix of theater and circus. "It's a holistic show with unlimited possibilities." Even as a child, Jan Dutler was fascinated by the circus. "You immerse yourself in a fantasy world. It's just amazing."
The Swiss performance doesn't make him any more nervous than usual
While the artist once "tore himself away from the Swiss Bünzlitum" as a 19-year-old, the discipline he learned in the village of Hütten in the canton of Zurich, which has a population of 800, helps him today. "I can tell that I'm Swiss by my reliability, my determination and my punctuality. When I start something, I see it through." But how does it feel to return to Switzerland with the show "Ovo"? "It's very special. But I'm no more nervous than usual. Nothing changes artistically. But the people I still know are certainly a bit proud of the son of the school leaver from Hütten," smiles the cheerful 31-year-old.
Jan Dutler is on stage seven times a week with the Foreigner as one of the three main characters of "Ovo". He already has over 100 shows behind him. The clown never gets bored of the role of the swashbuckling and self-important fly. But if he could choose, he would rather be a whale than an insect. "These animals are fascinating. They live under water and have their peace and quiet. There's no street noise and no stress." Nevertheless, there is no standing still in the life of the Zurich Oberlander. "Travel is essential for me." Even after his time with Cirque du Soleil, Jan will continue to explore. "I'm still trying things out, collecting and watching." Next, the artist would like to go on tour with his own production. Even though Jan Dutler describes himself as a nomad and vagabond, he emphasizes: "I may be on the road, but I'm still a Hüttner at heart."
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"OVO" is about the fight for love
"OVO" takes the audience into a colorful ecosystem. The Cirque du Soleil production tells the adventure of an insect colony in a never-ending battle for love.
for love. In the midst of the action, "Ovo", the ominous egg, appears again and again. The dazzling inhabitants marvel at it with curiosity and awe. It was brought along by "The Foreigner", the blue fly. It is one of the main characters and is played by Swiss clown, musician and physical theater actor Jan Dutler. Since its premiere in Montreal in 2009, over 4.5 million spectators have seen the show. Ovo" is now moving from the tent to the arena stage. So that even more visitors can be there. After a major North American tour, the production will celebrate its European premiere in Zurich's Hallenstadion in October 2017. For more than 30 years, the Cirque du Soleil format has been thrilling people all over the world - in "Ovo" with magic, mysticism and fantasy.
