Patrick Leonard — clown, acrobat, juggler, actor — is well-known for his uniquely bold and daredevil approach. Originally a chemist by trade, this four-time artistic roller-skating champion is also a graduate from the Montreal National Circus School. He started his career as a diabolo artist and clown at the Montreal Casino before going on to perform in German cabarets such as Pomp Duck and Circumstance, the Wintergarten and the Freidrichbau, as well as at the Teatro Zinzanni in San Francisco. He also performed with such companies as the Swiss circus company Knie and Cirque du Soleil. He was awarded the Nikouline prize at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in 2003.

His dedication to social and environmental causes have led him to participate in benefit shows with organizations such as Montréal-based non-profit “Dans la rue” and Square Circle, the latter of which he directed in 2018 and 2019 in Toronto. Furthermore, he has a seat on Productions Carmagnole’s administrative council.

Patrick is fond of artistic collaborations. In 2015, he co-directed the acrobatic performances for Moby Dick, as directed by Dominic Champagne at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde. In 2019, he worked with the Comic Opéra (Switzerland) as the stage director for Looping and, in 2020, he directed the Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra’s newest creation (Canada).

Since 2002, Patrick has regularly traveled to Canada’s North to develop projects with Inuit people from various communities. This has led him to ensuring the joint artistic direction of Unikkaaqtuat, a multidisciplinary creation co-produced by Artcirq and Taqqut Productions. The show premiered in Ottawa in 2020.

One of the co-founders of the 7 Fingers, Patrick also ensures the circus’ joint artistic direction. He has co-directed Temporel, Vice & Vertu, La Vie and Loft, all four shows in which he also performed. He created his first one-man show, Patinoire, in 2011 and has been touring with it ever since. Patinoire, which had a one-month run at the Avignon festival in 2014, blends extravagant acrobatic acts with a fanciful, sometimes even absurd, humour. In 2013, his two eldest daughters accompanied him in his performance as the main character in Amuse Un Dia. Patrick also regularly participates in The Fibonacci Project.

Direction

Benefit Show (Square Circle, 2018 & 2019)
Unikkaaqtuat (The 7 Fingers, 2019)
Looping (Comic’opera, 2019)
Temporel (The 7 Fingers, 2018)
Vice & Vertu (The 7 Fingers, 2017)
Patinoire (The 7 Fingers, 2011)
La Vie (The 7 Fingers, 2007)
Loft (The 7 Fingers, 2002)

Acrobatic Design and Choreography

Coaching, Commedia Dell’Arte, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde (Montreal 2020)
Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra (Montreal, 2020)
Moby Dick (Montreal, 2015)

Performance

Made in Kouglistan (Throw 2 Catch, 2019)
Temporel (The 7 Fingers, 2018)
Vice & Vertu (The 7 Fingers, 2017)
Un Dia (The 7 Fingers, 2013)
Patinoire (The 7 Fingers, 2011)
La Vie (The 7 Fingers, 2007)
Loft (Les 7 Doigts, 2002)