Cylios Pytlak, speed juggler, Cirque du Soleil’s show LUZIA
Self-taught speed juggler Cylios Pytlak – who comes from Valenciennes in northern France – started practising when he was ten, using balls, clubs and hats. He gradually developed his skills through repetition, while also devising new juggling patterns. During his teenage years he performed in small cabarets, shows and festivals, at 15 winning the grand prize at the French festival Talents de Scene. At 17, he spent a season with Cirque Georget and has been performing ever since. His highlights include contracts with Cirque Alexandre Bouglione and Cirque Firmin Bouglione in Belgium, Zirkus des Horrors in Germany, and the Cuban circus festival Circuba.
But his dream was always to perform with Cirque du Soleil, and after auditioning in 2009, it took until 2017 for him to achieve it. Cylios has appeared in its Mexico-themed show LUZIA – which is directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca – since it opened. Having toured the United States, Mexico and Canada for two years, he now comes to London’s Royal Albert Hall, where the show runs from 12 January – 1 March 2020. He chats to Liz Arratoon via email.
The Widow Stanton: Cylios is an unusual name. Where is it from?
Cylios Pytlak: My real name is Cyril. Cylios is my stage name. I chose it with my family when I went on stage for the first time when I was about 12 or 13 years old. My goal was to be the only juggler with this name. It was also easier to remember for the fans and the people from the industry.
Are you from a circus background?
No, my father was a police officer – he is now retired – and my mum is a nurse. I had always been a circus fan. My grandparents often took me to a variety of shows by Cirque Arlette Gruss when I was little. As soon as a circus was in my town, I was taking my bike to go past it all the time. This is where I learned to set up a big top. I was also taking care of the animals, since it was mostly traditional circus. My family always supported me and helped me to reach my goals. I feel really lucky to have them.
Why did you choose to be a juggler?
When I was ten years old I really wanted to learn a circus discipline. However, there was no circus school near my home. So I tried to learn by myself what was most accessible to me: juggling. When my parents offered me my first three juggling balls I was able to do some catches right away. I fell in love with it and shortly became an addict. [Laughs]
Are there any other jugglers in your family?
No, I am the only one.
Why did you decide to do speed juggling?
Not so long after I first started juggling by myself I saw Mario Berousek, the really famous speed juggler, on TV; on Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde.
Oh yes, we saw him in Monte Carlo a couple of times.
He is actually the pioneer of speed juggling. I was completely fascinated by him and told myself I wanted to be like him. As of that moment, he became my inspiration. What is so crazy is that I had a chance to juggle with him a couple years later. I gave the idea to the juggling equipment company Mister Babache – Jonglerie Diffusion to create a modern replica of his artisanal club. At that time, no club for speed jugglers were marketed. Incredibly, this is the club I use to perform in LUZIA. This club can now be bought anywhere around the world.
What is the most important advice you could give to someone wanting to learn it?
It is important to learn to listen to your body and to your mind. You can’t impose an evolution rhythm on yourself. You need to learn to enjoy the good days where you progress well and you learn things. You also need to be able to adapt your training when it’s not going really well. It is a process of hit and miss and it is totally normal.
Are the clubs the same as for regular juggling?
As for the length and the weight it is really similar. Overall, a speed juggling club is slimmer and the rotating point is more central. This allows you to have tighter juggling and allows you to accentuate the propeller effect and the rotation effect ‘on the spot’, which characterises speed juggling with clubs. It is however possible to do speed juggling with a classic club. I did it for many years.
Are there any famous jugglers present or past you admire?
There are a lot. I can’t mention all of them. Of course, there is Mario Berousek (pictured above), and the legend, Anthony Gatto. Even though he is not a juggler anymore, he is part of juggling history. Tony Frebourg is also a legend with the diabolos. Even though I don’t do diabolos he was a big example for me. He has such an amazing career. He motivated and guided me a lot when I first started. I always admired his work. He became a friend over time. I met him in 2006, the same year I met Mario. It’s when I saw him succeed with another Cirque du Soleil show, OVO, that I told myself that I could also do it.
Do you remember your first appearance juggling in a show or cabaret?
Totally. It was in a Christmas gala in Quievrechain, a small town in northern France, in December 2004 when I was 13. Before that I did little shows in private events, but nothing big. I really see this gala as my first show since it was the first time I was on a real stage. I was in front of a crowd of several hundred people. There was stage lighting and a real curtain opening. A lot of things happened that night that gave me the motivation to continue to train to get better and to go back on stage as soon as possible: the adrenaline before the performance, the atmosphere around the show, the joy to perform in front an audience, the joy of sharing with the public and the feeling when you receive the crowd’s applause.
The following morning, I was already working on my act to see how I could improve it. I was doing video sessions of my performance to see what elements on the technical and artistic side I could improve. Since my first ‘little shows’ and especially after this gala, being on stage was what I wanted to do for a living. I never imagined my life without it. I really wanted this to be my life on a daily basis. I put in all the hard work I needed to by myself. Therefore, I never went to a professional circus school. I started my professional juggling career at 17 after completing a sales degree… just in case!
You had a long wait to get into Cirque du Soleil. Did you ever give up hope?
I did a casting with Cirque du Soleil in Paris in 2010. I was 19 and I had been dreaming about Cirque du Soleil for a while. To be part of this company was my biggest dream. I never gave up on my dream, but it’s when I started to think less about it that they first contacted me for LUZIA.
Tell us about the show…
LUZIA is a wonderful show. It allows you to discover the Mexican culture in a unique way. And you don’t need to be Mexican or to like Mexico to fall in love with this show. You will go through a diverse range of emotions. It’s a magnificent and breathtaking show.
I see you have to run through the audience while juggling. Do you enjoy that close interaction?
Yes, I love it! It is important for me to establish this contact with the audience. This was part of my routine before I joined LUZIA. I had the chance that the artistic director of the show, Gracie Valdez, gave me the freedom to continue to do it.
What do you like or dislike about touring?
To be touring around the world is a great opportunity. A lot of people need to make sacrifices to be able to travel. For us it is the way we live. What I enjoy the most is to discover the landscapes and the lifestyles of people in all the places we visit. But the most difficult part is to be away from my friends and family in France.
Where have you liked the most?
I liked a lot of different places, but I think my favourite was California. Especially Los Angeles, which was my first city on tour. It was unforgettable. I also really liked Orlando with all the attraction parks, shows and entertainment… without forgetting the nice weather and the palm trees!
Do you travel with your family?
Yes, I’m married to Madeley. We were touring together in a traditional circus in France, La Piste aux Etoiles, when we met. She was part of Russian swing, Chinese pole and acrobatic jump rope acts then. She went to the National Circus School of Cuba where she trained as a foot juggler. After our wedding in 2012, she was performing foot juggling and aerial hoop as a soloist. We were performing our acts in the same shows before I joined LUZIA but she does not perform in the show. We now have a little girl who’s three years old named Cameron. My wife and daughter travel with me at all time. Cirque helps us a lot with that. It is great!
Cameron loves circus. She already knows LUZIA by heart. She loves to imitate me or Madeley. I think it is normal for her age, because it’s what she is surrounded by every day, which I think is a great experience for her. Madeley and I don’t want to influence her in any way. We want her to do want she loves when she grows up. We both were lucky to have parents who supported us in our passion, and we want the same for our daughter.
How do you feel about coming to the Royal Albert Hall?
I’m really excited to perform in this iconic venue. It will be a really important moment of LUZIA’s tour. I had the chance to visit the Royal Albert Hall when I was in London a few weeks ago for a PR trip. It is magnificent! I have goosebumps just thinking about it.
Has being in Cirque du Soleil lived up to your expectations?
Totally! I worked as a professional juggler for about ten years before joining the company. As soon as I got here I was able to notice the difference. Cirque du Soleil gives us a lot of support around the show. I’m so glad to be working for them. I work with a team that dedicate themselves 100 per cent to the show every day. They want the show to be at its best and also to have it evolve. All the teams: technicians, administration, marketing, artistic, everyone gives the best of themselves to this show and it is inspiring to see.
Cylios performs in Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA at London’s Royal Albert Hall from 12 January – 1 March 2020.
For tickets to LUZIA, click here
Pictures: Courtesy of Cylios and Cirque du Soleil
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