with ... Jeannot Painchaud

Any other year, Santa Barbara audiences would revel in the theme chosen by Cirque Eloize for its two performances at the Lobero Theatre. Considering the soggy weather of recent weeks, however, there may be some resistance to "Rain comme une pluie dans tes yeux." The American translation? "Rain, as rain in your eyes."

Jeannot Painchaud isn't worried. "People will fall in love with rain again," he promised from the company's headquarters at the National Circus School of Montreal. A circus artist for 15 years - acrobatics, juggling and a bicycle act - he is co-founder, general manager and artistic director of the troupe, which will appear at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St. UCSB Arts & Lectures is co-sponsor. Tickets are $45. Information: 963-0761.

Q. Where does the name Cirque Eloize come from, and what is the American pronunciation of "eloize"?
A. Eloize, pronounced "alwaz," comes from the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where flashes of heat lightning seen on the horizon are called "eloize." This lightning inspired the troupe's seven founders because it symbolizes the heat and energy that feed the troupe's spirit.

Q. How does your troupe differ from Cirque du Soleil?
A. We both come from the same movement - bringing other art forms like music and dance into circus acts - and both started at the National Circus School of Montreal. Where we differ is that Cirque du Soleil, which began in 1984, does giant shows and special effects that are big, big, big. In Cirque Eloize, which began in 1993, we are more intimate. We like to touch people, to provoke reflection. We feel it's important to express a certain fragility of human spirit.

Q. How are you going to persuade Santa Barbara audiences "to fall in love with rain again?"
A. There's a certain kind of feeling in this show, almost a sense of nostalgia, that takes you back to your childhood when your parents let you play outside in the rain - shoes full of water, clothes drenched, hair dripping. It was a wonderful feeling of freedom. We just finished shows in Great Britain, where as you know, it rains a lot. Afterward, people told us they never loved rain as much.

Q. Do you come from a circus family?
A. No. They owned a restaurant. I became fascinated by the circus when I was 19 and visited the National School. In five minutes, I knew that would be my life.

Q. I understand there will be surprises in the shows? Can you give us some hints?
A. Unexpected things can come from the sky: messages, signs, promises.

BY MARILYN MCMAHON, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

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