The ‘Circus of the Sun’ or ‘Cirque du Soleil’ as it is officially known, is an amazing entertainment visual and auditory feast presented in various venues around the world. The ‘circus’ is comprised of human performers engaged in extraordinary feats of acrobatics, dance and other movement set to music. Elements such as water, fire, and height are all part of the various shows. The main premise of Cirque du Soleil is to celebrate the raw power and beauty of human physical performance.
History
What began as stilt-walkers known in Quebec, Canada as ‘The High Heels Club’ in the early 1980s, slowly evolved over time to include acts such as jugglers and fire-blowers. By 1984 it was officially named ‘Cirque du Soleil’ after multiple acts which met at festivals decided to all come together under the same big top to perform.
The group slowly began touring across Canada; and in 1987 crossed the border to perform for the first time in the United States. The performance was located in California, and the show went over so well with audiences that the decision was made to tour the USA as well.
By 1990, their success was such that Cirque du Soleil had begun touring the world. In 1996 their ninth production (Quidam) was created. Early shows such as ‘Fascination’, ‘New Experience’, and ‘Circus’ are not currently being performed; but as of 2007, 16 different Cirque du Soleil shows are being presented around the world.
Performers
According to their official website, the process of finding new talent for Cirque du Soleil is a long, involved one that can take years. There are currently two talent scouts who regularly attend 15 prominent athletic events, and hold between 12 to 20 auditions each year. Beginning with the 2000 Summer Olympics, the scouts also check out Olympians and their respective countries for potential members. Sixty-five percent of Cirque du Soleil performers are athletes in their own right.
Once someone has peaked their interest, the scouts keep tabs on them as they progress and develop over time, and enter them into a database. When an opening comes along, appropriate talent from the database is contacted for a first audition. If they make it past that, they are asked back for a second audition that they must pass before being offered a spot with Cirque du Soleil.
Cirque du Soleil performers must not only be athletic, but artistic and able to improvise if the need arises. Illness, injury, and other factors can and do routinely change aspects of the various shows. One example of such a case is the accident that occurred during a performance on December 20, 2007 in Montreal, Canada. An acrobat in the show “Saltimbanco” missed his mark when he leaped from a platform, and fell on a fellow performer/spotter 12 meters below. The acrobat was not seriously injured, but the spotter’s ankle was broken in the incident.
Other changes performers have been affected by have included alterations in the set design and casting. Once, an act with eight women was reformatted to have eight men instead.
Shows
Cirque du Soleil runs a multitude of shows worldwide. Some are touring shows; others are exclusive to their venue. One is especially family-friendly, and one is for adults only. All feature music, color, and fantastical movement.
Alegría. The Spanish word for ‘jubilation’, this show celebrates the time of kings, fools, peasants, the royal court, and minstrels. The ringmaster for this show is a hunchback with a beak nose named Fleur. He carries a scepter that lights up, and interacts with the Old Birds around him. In April of 2007, this show celebrated its 13th year.
Corteo. The Italian word for ‘cortege’ (a funeral procession), this production stems from the imagination of a clown. As he fantasizes about his own funeral, the audience is treated to a display of the fantastic as well as the heartbreaking.
DELIRIUM. In this show, the entertainment is centered around re-mixed Cirque du Soleil music. The performers are dancers, singers, and musicians. Don’t let the description fool you: like all of the Cirque du Soleil productions, DELIRIUM is lively and amazing.
Dralion. The name of this show comes from combining the words ‘dragon’ and ‘lion’ in order to represent the combining of East and West. A unique feature of this show is that the ringmaster, for the first time in Cirque du Soleil history, is actually brought to life by 4 unique characters, rather than one. Azala, Goddess of Air; Gaya, Goddess of Earth; Oceane, Goddess of Water, and Yao, Guide to the Fiery Demons all do their part in taking the audience through the Dralion experience.
KÀ This arieal delight is a special feature at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. This story is told via the elements of water: featuring land, ocean, and fantastic creatures of the sea; air: showcasing a Nurse, Spearmen, a cliff, and mountains; earth: starring strange insects, a forest, and mysterious lights; and fire: presenting a dazzling fiery battle in the sky.
KOOZA Clowns and acrobats join together in the telling of the story of ‘The Innocent’. The adventures of The Innocent include a wild cast of characters including a King, a Pickpocket, a Trickster, a Tourist, and a Bad Dog. This show was designed to embrace the origins of Cirque du Soleil with its celebration of human physical performance.
‘La Nouba’. From the French phrase ‘faire la nouba’, this show ‘lives it up’ in the form of dream and nightmare. The colorful Cirques clash with the ‘monochromatic’ Urbains in this production of fantasy and fable.
LOVE. This celebration of Beatles music presents the talents of 60 international artists. Exclusive to The Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada, this production was created using Abbey Road Studio master tapes. Characters in the show are based on real and imaginary people.
Mystère.Exclusive to Treasure Island in Las Vegas, Nevada, this Cirque du Soleil show is very tied to the circus origins with acrobats and athletes. Various acts are featured including a brotherly duo, clowns, aerial artists, Chinese poles, trampoline artistry, taiko, and more.
“O”. Water is the primary setting for this production that celebrates infinity. Synchronized swimmers and divers are among the stars of this exclusive Bellagio (Las Vegas, Nevada) show that combines fire, folklore, and martial arts.
Quidam. Referring to a nameless passerby, this story of a young girl who thinks she has ‘been there done that’ in life takes the audience on a magical and mysterious journey with the girl and her two stellar opposite companions.
‘Saltimbanco’. Formed from the Italian phrase ‘saltare in banco’ (to jump on a bench), this well-loved production is filled with the vibrant color and movement of urban life. The colorful ringmaster of this show is known as ‘The Ringmaster’ and carries a scepter as he entertains more than guides, the audience.
Varekai Meaning ‘wherever’ in the language of the ‘Romanian Gypsies’, Varekai is an enchanted forest at the foot of a volcano. A stranded parachutist explores this magical world filled with fanciful creatures and brilliant colors.
Wintuk Exclusive to the WAMU Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, this Cirque du Soleil family-oriented show is the story of one boy’s adventure in his quest to bring snow to the city. Acrobats and giant marionettes are featured in this production.
ZUMANITY Advertised as the ‘sensual side of Cirque du Soleil’, this ‘human zoo’ is an adult-oriented production with a burlesque/cabaret quality. Attendees must be 18 or older in order to get into the show. ZUMANITY is exclusive to New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
SOURCES:
Cirque du Soleil. Official Website (English section)
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/default.htm#
(Accessed December 23, 2007)
Cirque du Soleil. Circus Net.
http://www.circusnet.info/cirque/soleile.php
(Accessed December 28, 2007)
Behind the Scenes of Cirque du Soleil. Offical Website (English Section)
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/worldview/worldview.htm
(Accessed December 28, 2007)
Spotter on Ground Injured as Cirque du Soleil Acrobat Falls 12 Meters. December 21, 2007. The Canadian Press.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5ijuF6AZHjstiCa384cEXzqpUGy2Q
(Accessed December 23, 2007)
Cirque News: Refashioning Old Concepts: The Ringmaster! Official Website (English section)
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/worldview/news.htm
(Accessed December 28, 2007)
Cirque News: Keeping the Show Alive. Official Website (English section)
http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/worldview/alive_8.htm
(Accessed December 28, 2007)
