René Bazinet is a German/Canadian stage and film actor. He is well
known for being one of the most talented veteran clowns ever to have
worked for Cirque du Soleil. In 2007 he became the clown act creator
and acting consultant, for "Saltimbanco," which was their oldest major
touring show, until discontinued after an over 20 year run - in 2013.
He has carried on, in this capacity, with "Zarkana," a production
Cirque du Soleil created in 2011.
René was born in what was still war torn Germany, a decade after WWII.
His biological father was cabaret performer, Willy Degé. He moved to
Canada, at the age of 16, shortly after his Mother, Ellen Fiener and
Stepfather, Robert Bazinet, relocated there. Being transplanted proved
to be somewhat of a culture shock for René, who did not yet speak
English. Unable to communicate with fellow classmates easily, while
endeavoring to learn his second language, he found solace in communing
with nature. During this period René devoted much time to studying and
imitating bird calls, which became part of his sound-effect repertoire.
Around the age of 20, René began his theatre art studies, at John
Abbott College, in Canada, then started performing with the
encouragement of one of his teachers, there. The undeniable talent he
displayed compelled him to continue his studies in Mime and Clowning,
with some of the most influential teachers and coaches, of the 20th
century.
Most noteworthy among his instructors are Jacques Lecoq (1921-1999),
along with legendary mime Étienne Decroux (1898-1991), who also taught
the great mimes Jean-Louis Barrault (1910-1994) and Marcel Marceau
(1923-2007). René learned the Feldenkrais Method, too, often referred
to simply as 'Feldenkrais,' which is a somatic educational system
designed by Moshé Feldenkrais (1904-1984). In time, René started to
teach Feldenkrais, which aims to reduce pain or limitations in
movement, to improve physical function, and to promote general
well-being by increasing awareness of oneself and by expanding movement
repertoire.
During the learning processes he paid his dues, for 9 years, as a
street performer, in Paris and went on to do a number of cabaret and
variety club stints, entertain in gala events, work for various theatre
companies, etc., throughout Europe and Japan. Along the line, René
developed a duo act with a clown partner, David Shiner, that they took
on tour, before being hired as lead artist, by the prestigious Cirque
du Soleil. For their original production, of "Saltimbanco," he
developed and played (5) separate roles - for 4 years - throughout
Northern America and in Japan, from 1992 - 1996.
René subsequently portrayed the romantic lead, opposite Julie Cox, in
their only full length feature film, to date, "Alegria: An Enchanting
Fable," or "Alegria Le Film," based on the tent show "Alegria." He has,
since, reprised his roles in "Saltimbanco," periodically, at London's -
Royal Albert Hall and in Brazil's - Rio de Janeiro. Over the years he
has worked extensively for other well known circus companies such as
Roncalli and Salto Natale.
René is multilingual, having a facility for languages. He speaks
German, English, French and Italian fluently. Continuing to hone his
craft, he is considered to be one of the world's top clowns. In 1999
the Canadian government's Council of Arts commissioned him to
contribute to their circus art series of instructional books. René's
particular edition was entitled "Le Clown" and includes numerous photos
along with comprehensive directives, on specific techniques, in the art
of clowning. Having enjoyed a career spanning over 30 years, René is
widely recognized not only as a supreme clown but a gifted film actor,
clown coach and director, as well.
He is also a world renowned mime, with a particularly graceful and
fluid style, who has served as mentor and inspiration to many other
mimes, clowns and stage actors. His long time artistic partner David
Shiner, who is also a veteran performer for Cirque du Soleil, as well
as one of their show creators and mentors, continues to tour Europe
intermittently, with René, in the two-man show they first created back
in the 1980s.
