Departures of note

Stéphane Ricordel was a pivotal figure in contemporary French circus and theater. In 1993, he co-founded the circus company Les Arts Sauts with a group of artists aiming to elevate the flying trapeze to a standalone artistic discipline, moving it away from traditional kitsch. The company toured internationally for fifteen years, performing over 1,500 shows and earning acclaim for its innovative approach. Following the closure of Les Arts Sauts in 2007, Ricordel transitioned to theater management. Alongside his partner Laurence de Magalhaes, he directed the Théâtre Monfort in Paris starting in 2009 and later served as co-director of the prestigious Théâtre du Rond-Point. He passed away in July 2026 at the age of 62 following a neurodegenerative disease.