The famous and world renowned Cirque du Soleil is finally coming to Manila and will be performing on June 22, 2011 to July 10, 2011. They will premiere their show at the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) located at the Luneta which is across Quirino Grand Stand – Rizal Park. Tickets are now being sold as of March 4, 2011 at http://www.cirquedusoleil.com or you can call (+632) 6692222. Grab one now before they ran out. Read more about Cirque Du Soleil and ticket prices after the jump.
HISTORY
A marvelous idea began to take shape in the early 1980’s in Baie-Saint-Paul, a charming village nestled on the north shore of the St.Lawrence River, east of Quebec City. Les Échassiers de Baie-Saint-Paul (‘The Stiltwalkers of Baie-Saint-Paul’), a theatre troupe founded by Gilles Ste-Croix, walked on stilts, juggled, danced, breathed fire and played music. These young entertainers, among whome was Cirque du Soleil-founder Guy Laliberté, constantly impressed and intrigued Baie-Saint-Paul’s residents.
In 1984, during Quebec’s 450th anniversary celebrations of Jacques Cartier’s discovery of canada, the province sought an event which would bring the festivities to all Quebecers. Guy Laliberté convinced organizers the answer was provincial tour of Cirque du Soleil performers and it hasn’t stopped since!
From then on, Cirque du Soleil tale is that of remarkable bond between artists and spectators from around the world. And it is the latter who feed the sacred fire of Cirque du Soleil.
ABOUT THE SHOW: VAREKAI
Cirque du Soleil will be performing a show entitled Varekai. Read on for the plot.
Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world—a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai.
From the sky falls a solitary young man, and the story of Varekaibegins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered.
The word Varekai means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsies the universal wanderers. This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path that leads to Varekai.
ACTS
AERIAL HOOP – Suspended high above the stage or flying through the air on her hoop, a young woman performs a series of movements displaying her flexibility and strength.
AERIAL STRAPS – Two flyers suspended by wrist straps glide gracefully above the stage, performing original acrobatic figures in a synchronized display of precision and power. With a double strap, the two artists meld midair, becoming one in a series of striking acrobatic silhouettes.
CLOWN ACTS – No circus show would be complete without clowns! Joanna and Steven amuse the audience with an act that’s simply absurd.
FLIGHT OF ICARUS – With agility, deftness and sensitivity, a young man performs astounding dives and contortions in the net that holds him captive.
GEORGIAN DANCE – This act takes its inspiration from a long tradition of resistance in the Republic of Georgia, where inhabitants took to battle with numerous invaders over the centuries. The movements of the dancers recall the Georgians’ struggles against powers that sought to dominate their land. Endurance, precision and more than a hint of frenzy mark this act.
HANDBALANCING ON CANES – Grace, strength and flexibility are astonished, as a young woman balances on a series of strategically placed canes. Poised now on her feet, now on her hands, she contorts herself on her canes, maintaining a delicate equilibrium.
ICARIAN GAMES – The Icarian Games, an ancient discipline of the circus arts rarely seen in today’s contemporary circus culture, returns to centre stage. Steeped in tradition, this act is generally presented by members of the same family. In tribute to this custom, the Icarians along with other acrobats synthesize in this spectacular display of human juggling. The human body becomes catapult and catcher in an elaborate, explosive and highly choreographed presentation of strength, balance and agility.
JUGGLING – A juggling virtuoso, Octavio Alegria manipulates bowling pins, soccer balls, hats and ping-pong balls with his hands, feet, head and even his mouth.
RUSSIAN SWINGS – Breathtaking! Propelled by two Russian swings, acrobats are hurled high into the air, alighting on their partners’ crossed wrists or on a landing canvas. In feats of outstanding audacity, the acrobats even soar from one moving swing to the other!
SLIPPERY SURFACE – Darting and intertwining on a specially designed sliding surface, the artists fling and catch each other, creating an illusion of skating.
SOLO ON CRUTCHES – Like a jointed puppet, a performer on canes teeters in a stirring dance.
TRIPLE TRAPEZE – From their trapeze on high, four young women perform a series of striking acrobatic moves, displaying grace, sensuality and impeccable timing.
WATER METEORS – High above their heads, three young acrobats whirl ropes with metal meteors attached to the ends. Handling their ropes with rare agility, they perform impressive acrobatic figures at the same time.
CASTS
ICARUS – Innocent and vulnerable, he finds himself wounded in an unknown world. His desire to live and overcome his fears will drive him to new heights and an eventual rebirth.
THE BETROTHED – An exotic creature who enraptures Icarus with her sensual beauty. She will be his guiding light and he, in turn, will be the catalyst for her metamorphosis.
THE GUIDE – Weathered by the sun of many centuries, he’s like a kindly, fragile great-grandfather—a wise old man whose mission is to inspire and bring about change.
THE SKYWATCHER – Mad scientist and ingenious inventor, collector of the world’s memories and interpreter of signs, this is a man who receives signals, transforms sounds and forewarns of trials and tribulations. He lives perched on the edge of his laboratory-nest.
VIDEO and MUSIC
Varekai features down-tempo, chill-out house music with a Latin flavour, inspired by the 2002 production of Varekai.
- Music inspired by the live show.
- Arranged and produced by British artist, actor, screenwriter and composer Nitin Sawhney, who has, among other things, written for Sinead O’Connor and remixed for Paul McCartney and Sting.
- A select number of artists were invited to work on the album, including Terry Callier, Steve Shehan, Natacha Atlas, Taraf de Haidouks and members of the English Chamber Orchestra.
SEAT LOCATIONS and PRICES
I’m definitely going to watch this and I won’t miss it for the world. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see them in the flesh, well unless you go to Las Vegas or Seoul and other places where they would perform. Who’s going to watch it too? Give us a comment below.
For more information regarding Cirque du Soleil and/or Varekai, visit their official website www.cirquedusoleil.com or www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/varekai/show
Note: Due to the nature of the acts, changes in the cast occur frequently. Although they try to keep this information up to date, they cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Disclaimer: Zeientology is a registered Press from the Cirque du Soleil website for editorial news and reporting purposes which has been given the privilege to use photos and videos for this website. All materials found here is the property of Cirque du Soleil.
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