We quickly find ourselves with a phenomenal amount of leads, ideas and images to process. So, my first task is to direct the flow of ideas and information. I’m not trying to impose my vision, but rather to create a fertile ground where video, costumes, music, scenography and all the other components of the show can cohabit and inspire each other.” – Robert Lepage, Director

It has been a dream of mine since the founding of FLIP Fabrique, nearly 12 years ago, to work with the great Robert Lepage and the creative gang of Ex Machina.” – Bruno Gagnon, General and Artistic Director, FLIP Fabrique

Wrestling Combat ╳ Wild New Circus

An adrenaline-pumping, costumed wrestling showdown in the ring.

This adrenaline-fueled spectacle is a wrestling ring costume party showdown, where muscle-bound warriors— Hercules, Superheroes, and Highlanders—clash in the ring, alongside fierce and fiery female wrestlers. Each match wildly showcases the dazzling signature moves of professional wrestlers, enhanced by circus feats like contortion, tightrope walking, aerial stunts, juggling and even diabolo tricks. Dramatic lighting, sound effects, and immersive multimedia intensify the experience, while the exaggerated, highly personalized costumes and expressive body language add layers of theatricality to every bout. It’s an experience that gets the blood pumping, perfectly capturing the electrifying spirit of wrestling culture.

Ding ding ding! The battle for the championship is about to erupt, and it’s not just a clash of bodies inside the ring. Outside the ropes, the audience, frenzied fans, referees, and even the janitor sweeping the floor all become part of the action. Each character weaves through the competition with dramatic tension, as the inner theatrics of human desire for sensory thrills find their explosive release in the wrestlers’ punches, kicks, and taunts. The magic of wrestling and circus bursts forth in every moment.

SLAM! is the latest theatrical masterpiece from the internationally renowned stage magician Robert Lepage, co-produced by Canada’s FLIP Fabrique circus troupe and Ex Machina. Premiering in March 2024 in Quebec to rave reviews, the production immerses the audience in the world of wrestling through the eyes of a devoted fan. For the first time, theater, wrestling, and circus arts are seamlessly blended into a single ring, creating an unprecedented dramatic form. You’re invited to count down from three and experience 90 minutes of pure impact and exhilaration.

Ex Machina

Founded in 1994 by Robert Lepage and his collaborators, Ex Machina is a multidisciplinary creative team that brings together actors, writers, puppeteers, acrobats, stage designers, and multimedia designers, among others. Ex Machina operates on the principle that “the boundaries of art should not be confined by established artistic concepts and structures.” The company aspires to be a laboratory for creativity, embracing challenges from artists and audiences alike to incubate new forms of theater that move and inspire.

FLIP Fabrique

Founded in 2011 by a group of top circus artists from Quebec, Canada, FLIP Fabrique is known for its breathtaking performances that blend astonishing circus skills with poetic visual storytelling. Their shows have earned recognition and admiration from audiences around the world. Meticulously crafted, their contemporary circus performances are infused with incredible charm, delivering joy and moving experiences to viewers. Since 2015, in addition to hosting large-scale performances in Quebec City every summer, they have participated in numerous international circus festivals.

Director／Robert Lepage
Creation Director／Steve Blanchet
Artistic Director, circus／Bruno Gagnon 
Assistant Director／Félix Dagenais
Music & Sound Design／Bob & Bill
Associate Sound Design／Stanislas Élie, Jérôme Boiteau (Studio Expression)
Associate Set Design  & Properties Design／Ariane Sauvé
Lighting Desing／Renaud Pettigrew
Associate Video Designer／Nicolas Dostie
Animator／Irina Litvinenko
Costumes Design／Camila Comin
Acrobatic Design／Olivier Normand
Wrestling Advisor／Marko Estrada

Acrobats／Jérémie Arsenault, Fabien Cortes, Maeva Desplat, Naomi Eddy, Jonathan Julien, Stéphane Pansa, Cédrik Pinault, Adèle St-Martin

Stage Manager／Antoine Caron
Production Advisor - Circus／Christophe Hamel
Technical Director - Creation／Émilie Bérubé
Production Manager & Tour Manager／Éric Gingras
Technical Director and Lighting Manager／Michel Bisson
Tour Manager and Stage Manager／Antoine Caron
Sound Manager／Samuel Sérandour
Video Manager／Zachary Noël-Ferland
Head Rigger and Head Stagehand／Ian Lemire
Costumes and Properties Manager／Clara Clauss
Video Project Manager and R&D／Samuel Sérandour
Set Building／Scène Éthique
Set & props building collaborators／Geneviève Bournival, Noémie Richard, Chloé Blanchet, Coralie Dansereau
Costume Maker／Camila Comin, Par Apparat, Judith Bouchard

Production／Ex Machina, FLIP Fabrique
Co-production／Le Diamant、La Tohu、Centre des Arts Juliette-Lassonde de Saint-Hyacinthe、Centre culturel de l'université de Sherbrooke、Maison de la Culture de Gatineau、Meany Center for the Performing Arts、Cal Performances (UC-Berkeley)、University of Pennsylvania - Penn Live Arts、The Pennsylvania State University、Maison des arts Desjardins - Drummondville、Spect'art Rimouski、Salle de spectacles de Baie-Comeau

In partnership with Le Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec

Producer for Ex Machina／Michel Bernatchez
Associate Producer／Hélène Paradis