The friendly circus

THE idea of buff hot men performing acrobatic acts in nothing but lycra pants is always going to appeal to a lot of gay men.

Right?

Then it would be no surprise that Cirque du Soleil has a large gay fan base, and its upcoming production Totem is no different.

What makes it more worthwhile is that its cast members are all proudly LGBTI-inclusive and accepting. Especially French trapeze acrobat Guilem Cauchois and Finnish rings gymnast Olli Torkkel.

“I think artists and creators are simply more open-minded in general,” said Torkkel, 36.

“LGBTI inclusiveness and acceptance is a given for me, it is a normal part of life. I think should be the case in any industry.”

25-year-old Cauchois echoed his sentiments.

“I think that you have to be connected with who you are to be able to create in an honest way and be able to let go,” he told the Star Observer.

“That’s why I think homosexuality is totally accepted in the creative arts industry. For me, sexual orientation doesn’t determine who a person is or how we should look at him/her.

“It is simply part of nature and who we are. LGBTI inclusiveness and acceptance is extremely important as I think sexual orientation is just a minor aspect of someone’s personality.”

Since its inception in 2009, Totem has toured the world and billed itself as a journey through the evolution of man. Unlike previous Cirque du Soleil shows, the cast members play humans from the past or the present and from all around the world, such as the Russian bar performers on the front cover of this magazine.

The show also focuses on the human body and its capacities, with costumes to highlight the shapes of the bodies of the cast members, especially the men.

With this in mind, the Star Observer asked the two men — who identify as heterosexual — if they had ever received fan mails from gay men since they joined the touring troupe in 2009.

“I have received many nice and positive e-mails, guys thanking me for my performance and for taking them into a dream for a few hours,” Cauchois recalled.

Torkkel said while he has never received a straight-forward email from a gay fan before, he believes his fans’ sexual orientation is irrelevant.

“The character I play on stage was created to be charming and appear strong and confident,” he said.

“I am happy if I can charm audience members and get them excited and thrilled, it means I have done my job right.

“I want the audience to be able to feel a connection with my character, whatever their age, sex or orientation is.”

With the show beginning its Australian tour in Sydney on October 28, the men were asked what they were looking forward to.

“I have never been to Australia,” Cauchois said.

“I am looking forward to discovering the amazing beaches, swimming in the sea, seeing the sceneries and feeling the culture.”

On the other hand, Torkkel is anticipating a cultural immersion.

“I competed in gymnastics in Melbourne for two weeks a few years ago [before Cirque],” he said.

“I am very much looking forward to living in Australia for a year and getting to understand the lifestyle of the locals.

“Melbourne is cool and artsy and I look forward to seeing the differences between cities.”

—

Sydney

From October 28

The Entertainment Quarter

Melbourne

From January 21

Flemington Racecourse

Brsibane

From April 10

Northsore Hamilton

Adelaide

From June 11

The Plateau in Tampawardli

Perth

From July 31

Belmont Racecourse

DETAILS + TICKETS: cirquedusoleil.com/totem

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**This article was first published in the November edition of the Star Observer. Click here to find out where you can grab your free copy in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and select regional areas.