Cirque Alfonse comes to the Southbank Centre this July bringing with it more sawdust than you can shake a stick at. Steeped in the folklore, traditions and aesthetic of Québec's lumberjack, logging and farming heritage – this is a circus show that is both rooted firmly in the past and yet is undeniably different to anything likely to come up this year on a London stage. The cast is made up of 3 generations of one family and features juggling, aerial and tightrope walking alongside clog-dancing, cooking, vegetable chopping and story-telling. We thought that sounded like an unusual mix, so Run Riot's Edward Gosling caught up with acrobat Antoine to talk about where 'Timber' came from and what it's all about.

EG: Cirque Alfonse was created to give 66-year-old Alain a chance to realise his lifelong dream of running away with the circus. Are you surprised with the success that you've had with it now that this show is touring internationally?

ACL: Yes we are very surprised! We created the 'La Brunante', our first show, and our current show, 'Timber!' at my family home in the woods in Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez – a rural village an hour or so from Montreal. Our aim in the beginning was just to tour Quebec – we didn't expect to tour that much outside our province, so we are more than excited to perform here in London.

EG: How is it working with family? Have there been any “creative differences” along the way?

ACL: Of course! It’s kind of weird to explain how to perform on stage to your Dad. He started performing in circus at the age of 60, so he doesn’t have the same training or years of experience on stage as us, but he has huge life experience that we don’t have. Also it can be hard to mix work, fun, family and friends all together, but for now it’s working really well.

EG: Québec is synonymous in many people's minds with circus. Is that now just as much a part of your heritage as the roots music, fiddle and banjo that accompany the show?

ACL: Yes, definitely. I think circus has now become one of the main traditions in Quebec, and we owe that to Cirque du Soleil who made Quebec circus so popular, and also the other big circus companies from Quebec like Cirque Eloize and Les 7 doigts de la main.

EG: The company is named after a village near the family farm. In what way does this show represent that little bit of the world where you are from?

ACL: Well, I grew up in the village in the woods with my sister and family, and together we went back to the family farm-house and barn to create and rehearse as Cirque Alfonse. The company all lived there together for six weeks, and my Mum was cooking for everybody. Each day in the morning, we went into the woods and chopped wood as a warm-up ahead of our acrobatic training in the barn. Then at the end of the day it was time to throw axes! We also found all the materials and wood for the set around the farmhouse, so there is really a piece of Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez with us on stage! My Dad made all the wooden bits of the set for 'Timber!' and we have brought it all with us to London.

EG: So was it all whip-cracking and log-sawing when you were growing up? Or is this a romanticised version – is everyone a plaid shirt wearing lumberjack or do the cast really all have instant cappuccino machines, manicured nails and work in offices?

ACL: Nice one! No we are not actual lumberjacks. We are circus artists with a big love for trees, traditions and beards!

EG: A good friend of mine always says “if it wasn't dangerous, it wouldn't be circus” – but there are a huge number of sharpened axes, knives and saws flying through the air in this show. Have there been any slips or accidents? What steps do you take in training and preparing the show to ensure that you minimise the risk to yourselves of getting hurt?

ACL: I think what your friend says is true. In this show everything is real and we are proud of it, so, yes, it is dangerous. There was one accident where my brother-in-law, Jonathan’s arm was sliced with the big turning saw. He had to have stitches, but he is okay now. Risk is part of circus. We've been working together for a really long time, so we kind of know when to stop before it gets too dangerous...We do try to control the "danger" in our shows, but we also take chances, and this is what audiences love about our live performances

EG: Lastly – what are your plans for the future? Will you continue with Cirque Alfonse after this tour of Timber? Are there more shows planned or is it time for something new?

ACL: Circus is a great way to explore history and tradition, and there is still plenty of Quebecois culture and heritage for Cirque Alfonse to work with, so there’s definitely more to come from us in the future.

Thanks a lot! Tiiiiiiiiimmmmber!

Buy tickets for the show here.