It’s no wonder why the Avignon Festival has become one of the circus world’s premier annual events. Each summer, companies from France and beyond bring their best and brightest offerings to Avignon, France, and stage their work for audiences. In his review, Pascal Jacob walks us through the Festival in its entirety, from its history and pedigree to some of the most thought-provoking shows from this year’s program.

Set in both the heart and margins of the ancient City of the Popes, the Festival d’Avignon is one of the world’s largest theatre festivals, held every summer since 1947. Articulated in two separate entities, the “IN” and the “OFF” festivals, it offers for about three weeks the possibility of attending more than 1,500 shows. For several years, the Festival has also been hosting a few dozen contemporary circus companies, sheltered from within the walls of the city or on the other side of its ramparts. Half of these troupes are divided between Piot Island and Barthelasse Island, where they can benefit from the existing structures or build their own chapiteau. The other half, which do not have a big top or prefer a frontal ratio, invest in one of the many halls installed in the city. This proliferation of scenic venues, equipped for a few weeks each year, is, without doubt, the most amazing character...