Circus, theater, and music under a big top in Haute-Vienne
Born in 2013, Le Cabaret d'Hiver is an ephemeral winter show led by a collective of about fifteen multidisciplinary artists from France, Italy, Uruguay, and Switzerland. Every winter, from December to January, they set up a heated big top in Haute-Vienne to present an original creation mixing circus, theater, and live music. For over ten years, this human and artistic adventure has brought together more than 4,000 spectators per edition in a warm and intimate atmosphere.
Since 2013, Le Cabaret d'Hiver has embodied a unique artistic adventure in Haute-Vienne. Born from a story of friendship and encounters between circus artists, actors, and musicians, this multidisciplinary collective has chosen complete independence in its creations. Each year, about fifteen artists from all over France, as well as from Italy, Uruguay, and Switzerland, come together to design an entirely new show, presented under a heated big top set up for the occasion.
The creation process begins in June, when the collective sketches the first ideas for the upcoming show. In November, all the artists gather for a month-long residency, during which the script, direction, sets, and original musical compositions come to life. This collaborative process gives each edition its own identity and a freshness that the audience happily rediscovers.
Over the years, Le Cabaret d'Hiver has offered universes as varied as they are captivating: the burlesque Wild West of "Cold Colt" in 2018-2019, the wacky hotel of "Room Barouf" in 2019-2020, the offbeat heroism of "Big Strong Hero" in 2023, or the time travel of "Contretemps, le futur c'était mieux avant" in 2024-2025. Each creation masterfully blends acrobatics, trapeze, Chinese pole, hula hoop, unicycle, dance, clowning, shadow theater, and live music specially composed for the show.
The show is divided into three acts, each lasting thirty to forty-five minutes, with two intermissions during which the artists themselves serve drinks and snacks to the audience. This exceptional proximity between performers and spectators is the hallmark of Le Cabaret d'Hiver. Set up under a human-sized big top, the audience experiences an immersive event where the line between stage and audience blurs.
Initially located at Place des Casseaux and then at the Jardin des Lavandières in Limoges, Le Cabaret d'Hiver has expanded its reach by setting up its big top in Saint-Junien near La Mégisserie since 2022. This itinerant approach in Haute-Vienne demonstrates the collective's commitment to bringing performing arts closer to the local communities, right in the heart of winter, a time when cultural offerings are scarcer.
Le Cabaret d'Hiver is preparing its new creation for winter 2025-2026. The multidisciplinary artist collective will gather for a residency starting in November to design a brand-new show, presented under a heated big top in Haute-Vienne from mid-December to early January.
The Le Cabaret d'Hiver collective is working on its next original creation. As every year, the artists will gather for a month of intense creation before raising the curtain on a new show mixing circus, theater, and live music. Details about the program and the location of the big top will be announced in the fall of 2025.
By car: The big top is set up every winter in Haute-Vienne. Since 2022, it has been located near La Mégisserie in Saint-Junien, about 30 minutes from Limoges. Follow the signs on site.
Performances every evening at 8 p.m., with additional matinees on Wednesdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. Days off vary depending on the edition.
Reservations by phone at 06 24 80 17 57. Full price: €17, reduced price: €12.
Bar and light refreshments during intermissions, served by the artists themselves. Heated big top, show proceeds in all weather conditions.
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Chapiteau du Cabaret d'Hiver
La Mégisserie, 87000 Limoges