In 2004, the acrobatic French couple of Delphine Lechifflart and Franck Rabilier embarked on a lifelong dream. They fixed up a half-finished boat they had bought, and they sailed from Europe with their daughter (now 11) in La Loupiote across the Atlantic then south to the Caribbean on the first leg of their journey around the world. On the way their family grew, and they now have a three-year-old who has known no home but the sailboat.
"When we met, we dreamed of sailing together," said Lechifflart.
Many couples might share this romantic notion, but what makes this couple unique is their ability to perform aerial acrobatics at ports on their voyage, utilizing their boat as a stage visible to audiences on shore. Together, they perform gravity-defying acts of grace and strength told in stories of interest to kids and adults.
The two have worked together for 20 years; Rabilier was trained in France in circus arts and he taught Lechifflart aerial performance skills. They both took more training in Switzerland, and also appeared in theatre productions.
Recently they've been showing their talents at Vancouver's Granville Island. This week the couple will sail to Pender Harbourto give two performances on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17. The first show, The Navigators, is about 20 minutes long and starts at 6 p.m.
The second show is called Between Wing and Island and begins at 8 p.m.
La Loupiote will be anchored approximately 10 metres from shore, clearly visible, and the best spot to watch from will be by the Garden Bay Pub and Marina. After the show is over, the two like to visit with the audience, answer questions and pass the hat for donations that will finance their journey.
After Pender Harbour they sail to performances on Salt Spring Island and Sidney, and then south to the U.S. west coast. It's a pity they could not stop in Gibsons for Sea Cavalcade, but as the performers note, it took a year of advance contacts to set up the current shows. Find out more about the travelling acrobats at www.voilierspectacle.com.
