Culture
Why a silent Cirque du Soleil actor prefers finger puppets over backflipsFor 13 years, "physical actor" Joe hasn't spoken a single word on stage, yet his performance with Cirque du Soleil speaks directly to the heart
Añádenos en Google British actor Joe Roberts with his Accordion Man costume backstage at the Cirque du Soleil Big Top this week in Malaga. (. Marilú Báez)Dilip Kuner
05/06/2026 Actualizado a las 11:29h.The midday heat in Malaga is hovering around a blistering 37 degrees, but inside the cool reprieve of the Cirque du Soleil Big Top the focus is entirely on the quiet art of connection. Out here on the road, life for one performer is measured in microscopic shifts of human emotion and a stage voice that hasn't been used in over a decade.
Joe Roberts, a "physical actor" for Cirque du Soleil's Kurios, currently portrays the Accordion Man. Clad in a striking costume that morphs into a giant accordion, his act sees him compress, stretch and bend himself across the stage in a series of highly expressive, rhythmic movements. For the past 13 years - whether in Kurios or other shows - he hasn't uttered a single word (that he can remember!) on stage. Yet, night after night, he commands the attention of thousands, acting as a human emotional vessel and amplifier for the crowd.
Founded in 1984 by a small group of street performers in Baie-Saint-Paul, near Quebec City, Canada, Cirque du Soleil grew from a single, visionary troupe into the world's largest contemporary circus producer. By completely eliminating traditional animal acts and instead fusing high-octane gymnastics with live music, dramatic narrative and striking costume design, they transformed the classic circus into a sophisticated, theatrical art form.
"Every time you come to a new puppet or act, you have to learn it from the beginning." "It's impossible to live this life and finish the same person that you were at the start"
Iconic big tops
Today, its iconic big tops travel the world, presenting intimate, magical experiences that transcend language and cultural barriers.
For a performer like Joe, stepping into this world was the ultimate milestone. Yet, his origins were remarkably quiet. Raised in Maidstone, Kent - the Garden of England - he was an incredibly shy child.
"My mum threw me into drama classes to kind of bring me out of my shell a little bit," Joe admits. "Unfortunately, some might say it worked a little too much," he smiled.
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