BIOGRAPHY
Productions Éclats de Rire is what happens when two inspiring performers like Rodrigue Tremblay and Nicolette Hazewinkel come together.
For this pair of opposites, performing and the circus arts are simply a way of life. Together, they produce variety shows of very high caliber, featuring musical moments during which instruments actually sing, colorful sets, hilarious theatrical performances and unbelievable clown routines!
Since 1992, Productions Éclats de Rire has been developing custom concepts for special occasions, as well as shows with broad appeal, each one showcasing the clowning arts.Rodrigue Tremblay
Rodrigue hails from the Quebec countryside and a family where music and storytelling were revered. He created his character, the eccentric and musical clown Chocolat, at an early stage of his career. Educated in Hungary at the Budapest Circus School, Rodrigue then moved to Italy, where he studied directing under Giorgio Strehler and Dario Fo. He then found himself at the helm of the Productions Chocolat Show, became a star performer with Cirque du Soleil, and founded his own circus, Cirque du Tonnerre. He has appeared in several movies and television shows, and participated in musical recordings. Over the course of his career, he has launched many shows and performed on prestigious stages worldwide.
Nicolette Hazewinkel
Born in Holland, where she acquired solid training in circus performance, dance and music, Nicolette toured with several circus troupes in Europe, was featured in both Cirque du Soleil and Cirque du Tonnerre, and appeared in the musical comedy Barnum, The Greatest Show on Earth. Today, she teaches at the École Nationale de Cirque de Montréal, in addition to being a businesswoman and actress, and appearing as her character Nicoletta, a cellist and flutist, tightrope walker and juggler.
The pair
In 1990, Rodrigue and Nicolette formed the duo Chocolat and Nicoletta. He as the lively, zany, short and iconoclastic Clown, and she, the Muse, poetry in motion, tall, talented and feminine. The conviviality that brought their characters to life soon led the pair to start Productions Éclats de Rire, as well as a family. In fact, they are the proud parents of two children who sometimes even appear on stage with them.