James Keylon is the co-writer of "Kooza" for le Cirque du Soleil
and works regularly as a coach and consultant. Between the years
2009 to 2019, James produced, wrote and played in many cabarets in
Montreal. He was the initiator of the Clown Cabaret and directed
the shows of the Clown Laboratory with Francine since the
beginning. In collaboration with Roch Jutras, he developed and
taught stages in Slapstick Comedy for professional artists. He
taught mime the physical theatre for more than 15 years.
James has more than 40 years experience in the world of
entertainment. He left the states for France and followed the
classes at the l’École du Mime de Marcel Marceau and Étienne
Decroux as well as a formation in physical theatre and clown with
Philippe Gaulier and Monica Pagneux in Paris. During his studies,
he performed on the street with artists from around the world.
Arriving in Canada, he worked 4 years in Vancouver with La
Ratatouille (theatre clown company) directed by Michel Dallaire
(1980-84) and he was the co-founder of the company BASTA! with
Gina Bastone (1985-88). He toured with the company Axis Mime
(1986) and was co-artistic director of the Festival of Fools in
Vancouver (1985).
From 1988 to 1990, James rejoined le Cirque du Soleil as
ringmaster (white clown) for a tour of North America and Europe
with his partner Wayne Hronek (Benny LeGrand).
In 1990, he meets Francine Côté for le Cirque du Soleil and the
duo "Alfredo et Adrénaline" begin their international career.
Pushing in the direction of the modern clown, but inspired by the
traditional clown, these two lovable characters in the throes of
the own "Battle of the Sexes" have touched tens of thousands of
spectators around the world. The duo has played in circus: Cirkus
Knie (Switzerland), Cirque du Soleil (Mystère, Las Vegas; Cirque
Réinventé, London, Paris) Cirkus Benneweis (Denmark), Weishnachts
Zirkus (Freiburg, Germany". Cabaret/Theatre: Wintergarten
(Berlin), Apollo (Düsseldorf), Teatro Zinzanni (Seatle, San
Francisco), GOP Variety (Hannover, Essen), Polygon (Zurich),
Casino (Locarno), Freidrichsbau (Stuttgart), Luna Cabaret
(Dortmund). They have also participated in various Festivals and
Events: Festival du Cirque de Monte Carlo, Festival de Verona
(Prix de Festival), G7 Conference (Halifax), Festival of Clown
(Barcelona)...and in 1998 they received the "Golden Noses Award"
given to them by the family of Charlie Rivel in Copenhagen,
Denmark.
For 15 years, he created, wrote and directed clown numbers for
different artists with international reputations (les Parfaits
Inconnu, Circocomedia, Bourask, Les 3 Garçons, Clown 2011 and
2012, EXIT, Les Bunhjeads, Caravonica, Les Clown Cabarets...etc.).