James Keylon

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.).