A Warm Reunion: Júlia Campistany Returns to Circolo with Cirquemétrage
Júlia Campistany, a familiar face at Festival Circolo, is returning to the stage in 2025. In 2023, the Catalan artist, who now calls the Netherlands home, captivated audiences with her show, Peluda. This fall, she’s back with a brand-new project: a fresh creation titled Cirquemétrage.The performance will have its premiere at Festival Circolo, and this year, the festival is not only hosting the show but is also a proud co-producer. Cirquemétrage is part of the Nieuwe Makers trajectory, a program that Festival Circolo partners with. It’s time to introduce the maker and the story behind this extraordinary production.
Campistany style
Júlia Campistany is única en su especie (or, as the English say: one of a kind). Like no other, she blends theatrical performance, circus, humor, and emotion into the most flavorful circus creations. A captivating blend of circus and theatre. that not only delivers visual spectacle, but also moves you deeply.
“For me, circus is the possibility of expression. I get my inspiration from topics that inspire or concern me and society, and I weave that into my shows with humor and poetry,” she explains. “I wish the audience not only to be impressed, but that what they see can resonate with them, stay alive beyond the performance, and perhaps even awaken something within.”
Júlia has a deep love for the trapeze and a fascination with mouth balancing, a circus discipline in which she balances objects using her mouth. “Mouth balancing is such a refined, almost meditative technique. It demands immense concentration,” says Campistany. “That focus and balance have intrigued me from the very beginning.”
Cirquemétrage
Whether it’s aerial work, mouth balancing, or clowning, Júlia Campistany approaches each project by exploring new forms and a new physical language. Her performances are never repetitions, but surprising new chapters in an idiosyncratic artistic universe.
In Cirquemétrage, her latest creation, she mixes in all sorts of unexpected ingredients – from hints of magie nouvelle to absurdism and office nostalgia. The result is a fascinating piece that plays with themes like labor, capitalism, and daily routines.
“Cirquemétrage is a circus capsule. A small piece that takes place in an office. I took inspiration from a picture from the office my parents used to work in,” Júlia shares. “I grew up with their stories about the 9-to-5 grind. Work defines us, but it can also drain us. Cirquémétrage portrays a battle against the monotony of daily life, reflecting on our obsession with productivity, the absurdity of routine, and the fine line between ambition and self- destruction. It is dedicated to all those who work tirelessly, day in and day out, to provide for the ones they love.”
A desk, an ashtray, and a childhood photo
Visually, the show exudes a nostalgic retro atmosphere – like watching an old film. That cinematic quality is embedded right in the title: Cirquemétrage is a mashup of cirque and court métrage (French for ‘circus’ and ‘short film’).
“I was inspired by the aesthetics of cinema and the structure of short films. I wanted to translate that feeling into a compact circus performance—like watching a surreal short film unfold live.” And she’s succeeded. Cirquemétrage has a sharp, cinematic edge, soaked in a vintage vibe.
The set design was even partially inspired by an old photo of her mother’s workplace. “In that picture you see a desk, an ashtray, a corner of an old computer, red desk lamps… and if you look closely: a tiny photo of me as a child, tucked in a pen holder. That image became the starting point for the entire aesthetic.”
Creative co-conspirators
Cirquemétrage is special not only because it will premiere at Festival Circolo, but also because we were lucky enough to be part of Júlia’s creative process. She’s currently part of the Nieuwe Makers (New Makers) program, supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL, Festival Circolo, and Werkplaats Dommelhof.
Through this program, she’s been able to develop her show with support from Circolo as co-producer and creative sparring partner. “We work in a solid collaboration”, Júlia says about the partnership. “Circolo believes in my vision, and they give me the space and trust to experiment. We constantly exchange ideas – it really is a mutual relationship.”
Artistic director Lucho Smit of Festival Circolo mentors Campistany as part of the Nieuwe Makers program. “Lucho has a lot of experience as a circus artist. I trust him and I enjoy working with him in the studio. Working together during the composition phase and his feedback made Cirquemétrage stronger,” she explains .
“I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped create this show with me, and to those who continue to support it. I couldn’t do this on my own.” Behind the scenes, a close-knit team is helping bring the piece to life – from Sandra Smits from the production platform Buro Piket to stage operator and creative partner Saana Tolonen, lighting designers Tom Heintz and Jolein Kop from Heintz & Kop and outside eyes like Luuk Brantjes, Alexis Rouvre and Lucho Smit, and scenography by the team from the Atelier of Werkplaats Dommelhof. There’s a whole team that believes in this show. From the technical crew to the artistic support – everyone is thinking along. That’s so valuable for a maker.”
Welcome to the office
With Cirquemétrage, Júlia Campistany embarks on a new path – without losing her unmistakable style. Festival Circolo 2025 is proud to host the première, and both we and Júlia can’t wait.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing Cirquemétrage with the audience,” she says. “Ultimately, I create circus pieces to move people. It’s only when the audience watches and experiences it with me that the show truly comes alive.”
Even her parents haven’t seen the show yet. “They know about it, of course – but I’m hoping they’ll see it for the first time at Circolo. That would mean a lot to me.”
We warmly invite you to step into Júlia’s world at Festival Circolo 2025. Put on your best office attire and don’t forget to clock in – we expect you at our desk on October 17, 18, or 19.