La Compagnia Begheré was born in 2013 in the Apuan Alps (Tuscany, IT) and for 10 years, with a great passion, it carries around its shows in the squares of Italy and Europe.
Invited by 7 different countries to perform the show Rendez-vous! in their international festivals, including the following: SpringFestival in Copenhagen (Denmark), Linzer Pflsaterpektakel (Austria), Onderstroom Festival (Netherlands), OITO24 Festival (Portugal), Bamberg Zaubert (Germany), Quivivo Festival (Slovenia), Asfaltart, Mirabilia Festiva, Cirk Fantastik, Circen Dolomites Festival, La luna è azzurra, Senza fili (Italy), winning 1° Prize at Ferrara Buskers Festival.
The Company takes detailed care in every aspect of their work, whether for big European squares, small squares in italian towns or theatre spaces: meticulously preparing the location and mise en scene and looking after the audience before and during the show.
The same commitment is dedicated throughout the year to artistic preparation, with a continuous interest and research in the performing arts and personal techinical training.
Margherita Cortopassi and Giuseppe Tornillo, founders of the company, came from different artistic backgrounds and they have embarked together on a research path on duo dynamics in juggling and on comic couples. They trained across Europe with important contemporary jugglers, including: Stefan Sing, Sean Gandini, Kati Ylä-Hokkala, cie Defracto and others. At the same time they also studied physical theatre, corporeal mime, clown, dance and commedia dell’arte with Yves Lebreton, André Casaca, Jean Meningue, Gardi Hutter, Alessio Targioni, Enrico Bonavera, Paolo Nani.
In their shows, juggling blends with the other languages, creating an artistic offer with a strong personal imprint, which as been described as "truly unique and recognisable in the artistic scene".
Over the years they collaborated with many artistic realities, including: Fondazione Festival Pucciniano (as jugglers and mime artists in the cast of Ferruccio Busoni's Turandot, directed by A. Golinelli and in the cast of G. Spalletti's Jean d'Arc), the writer Teresa Porcella (as juggler in the show Danzando con l’arte, based on the homonymous book), Anfiteatro Fabio Chiesa, an open air theatre (as members of the executive board). For 13 years they have managed the Giocoleria Viareggio gym, a free training place for both amateur and professional jugglers.
With their shows and other productions they work in festivals, theatres, cabarets, public and private events.
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“Teatro di strada per noi significa creare, in ogni ambiente, un’atmosfera di complicità con le persone, capace di sciogliere le resistenze e scardinare i meccanismi che chiudono nell’individualità: per ridere, sorprendersi e pensare insieme, collettivamente. Accendere nel cerchio intorno allo spettacolo, quelle connessioni umane che il teatro e il circo sanno attivare così bene e che la vita quotidiana spesso inibisce. Sospinti dall’idea che ciò che accade in quel tempo inconsueto passato insieme possa lasciare una traccia anche dopo che il cerchio si dissolve e ognuno torna a sé.”
GIUSEPPE TORNILLO. "I live in a seaside town. By the sea is where I discovered juggling and since then we’ve never been apart. Juggling three balls, traveling around Europe, looking for places to meet and connect with those who share my same passion, studying with teachers internationally acclaimed, making friendships meant to last over time and distance."
During his university studies, Giuseppe carried on his artistic career as well, establishing various collaborations and taking his first steps in the field of juggling as his working activity. In the summer of 2013, he decided it was time to leave his engineering studies and focus only on making juggling his full-time profession. La Compagnia Begheré was born.
MARGHERITA CORTOPASSI. "I have always been fascinated by the chance to imagine other worlds, explore and share them through literature, movement and street art. I have studied dance since I was a child, then during my university years I bumped into theatre and in 2007 juggling came knocking to my door. It was impossible not to let it in, it was already inside before I even knew it."
In May 2013 she graduated with honours at the University of Pisa, getting her Master's Degree in European Literature and Philology.
Two months later, she started La Compagnia Begheré, choosing juggling, street entertainment and Giuseppe as her life companions.