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T h e U n o f f i c i a l
C i r q u e d u S o l e i l N e w s l e t t e r
=======================================================================
Issue #38 "Epouta quoi la séisouso" October 2004
=======================================================================
We're off and running again!
Last month we salivated over the press release announcing KÀ, Cirque
du Soleil's newest permanent production to be staged at the MGM Grand
Casino/Hotel in Las Vegas, and this month we slaver over yet another.
Love the idea or hate it, we at Fascination! are surprised to learn
that the rumored Beatles production for the Sigfried & Roy theater at
the Mirage Casino/Hotel (also in Las Vegas) has been green-lit. This
will mean and unprecedented five Cirque du Soleil shows will be housed
on the infamous Las Vegas Strip. They are: Mystère (1993, Treasure
Island), "O" (1998, Bellagio), Zumanity (2003, NY-NY), KÀ (2005, MGM
Grand) and "Unnamed" Beatles Show (2006, Mirage). A press release by
Cirque is featured in our news section this month containing further
information about this newest production (its working title is "The
Boys",) and more! So, without further delay, let's get started!
We hope you enjoy this issue of Fascination! If you have any questions
or comments please feel free to email them to us using the following
address: < CirqueFascination-owner@yahoogroups.com >.
- Ricky
===========
CONTENTS
===========
* Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings
* CRQ-TV -- Cirque on Television
* CRQ.NET -- Cirque du Soleil Online
* Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information
* Didyaknow? -- Facts About Cirque
* Le Spectacle:
"A Day at the Circus:
Les journées de la culture at TOHU"
By: Wayne Leung - Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)
* Le Spectateur:
"KÀ -- Duality in Motion, a Personal Q&A"
By: Ricky Russo - Orlando, Florida (USA)
* Behind the Curtain:
"I Hear a Young Minstrel Sing:
The Launch of the Cirque du Soleil Musique Record Label"
By: Wayne Leung - Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)
* Parting Quote
* Subscription Information
* Copyright & Disclaimer
=======================================================================
CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
=======================================================================
Cirque & The Beatles at the Mirage
----------------------------------
In the words of Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté: "We want
to bring the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit
and passion behind the most beloved rock band of all time to
create a single, simple statement of delight."
Cirque du Soleil, Apple Corps Ltd. and The Mirage announce a
partnership in which they will celebrate the musical legacy and
extraordinary experience of The Beatles in an unprecedented live
theatre production opening in 2006. This joint artistic venture
marks the first time that The Beatles' company, Apple Corps, has
agreed to a major theatrical partnership.
The production will be Cirque du Soleil's fifth resident show in
Las Vegas and will be presented at The Mirage, the resort that
changed the face of Las Vegas when it opened in 1989.
The project was born out of a personal friendship and
professional admiration between the late George Harrison and
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté. "This show is about
living The Beatles experience," said Guy Laliberté. "We want to
bring the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit and
passion behind the most beloved rock band of all time to create
a single, simple statement of delight."
Neil Aspinall, Managing Director of Apple Corps, said, "In the
past The Beatles have been approached with theatrical proposals
which never promised much beyond a traditional presentation.
However, in Cirque du Soleil, Apple is fortunate to have found a
creative partner with the same passion for innovation and
excellence."
Robert H. Baldwin, President and CEO of Mirage Resorts, said,
"This partnership builds on the solid relationship that already
exists between MGM MIRAGE and Cirque du Soleil. We too are
thrilled that the union between two premier entertainment icons,
The Beatles and Cirque, will come together at The Mirage."
Gilles Ste-Croix, Vice President of Creation and New Project
Development at Cirque du Soleil, revealed key members of the
artistic team will include Cirque du Soleil writer-director
Dominic Champagne and The Beatles producer Sir George Martin.
Sir George, who will oversee the music element of the show, said
today, "After spending more than 40 years of my life working
with The Beatles and their wonderful music, I am thrilled to be
working with them once again, on this exciting project with
Cirque du Soleil. The show will be a unique and magical
experience."
While the project has the approval of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo
Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, Paul and Ringo will not
appear in the production. "It is a fantastic project for us and
I personally am excited to collaborate with such a great
creative team," Paul McCartney said.
"How excited can I get -- The Beatles, Cirque du Soleil, an
incredible venue in Las Vegas - what could be better," said
Ringo. "I'm looking forward to the first show 'cause I'm going
to be there and I hope you are too."
"The Beatles and Cirque. I think it's a great combination: The
Beatles' agile mind and Cirque's agile body," said Yoko Ono.
"George and Guy shared the same vision. They planned to utilize
the extraordinary creativity of the Beatles and Cirque du Soleil
to produce an uplifting moment in time. We are all very happy to
see this project come to fruition," said Olivia Harrison.
Additional details of the content of the show, which aims to
revisit the excitement of the remarkable era when Beatlemania
ignited the world, are in creative incubation. [Source: Cirque
du Soleil Press Release Reprint]
Le Best Of... Now Available!
----------------------------
It's been rumored for months; Cirque du Soleil Musique has
finally released Le Best of Cirque du Soleil, the 20th
Anniversary compilation album. "Le Best Of consists of the
better musical moments of Cirque du Soleil that have enchanted
and enthralled audiences around the world. This compilation
features 12 songs from the successful soundtracks of eight
Cirque du Soleil shows that are still active / touring somewhere
around the world!" The songs featured are:
01. Egypte (Mystère)
02. Alegría (Alegría)
03. Pokinoi (Saltimbanco)
04. Querer (Alegría)
05. Kumbalawe (Saltimbanco)
06. Ombra (Dralion)
07. Reveil (Quidam)
08. Nostalgie ("O")
09. Vocea (Varekai)
10. Stella Errans (Dralion)
11. Gamelan ("O")
12. Liama (La Nouba)
Le Best Of Cirque du Soleil is now available online through
Cirque's online boutique and has been spotted at the La Nouba
boutique at the Cirque Theater, Downtown Disney for $19.00 USD.
Fans may want to take note that the first five tracks on this
new compilation were also featured on their previous "best of",
"Cirque du Soleil Collection" from 1998.
Missed an Episode of Solstrom?
------------------------------
Bravo TV USA will be replaying 12 of the 13 episodes of Solstrom
(all except "Cosmic Disco") as part of their "Bravo In The
Classroom" series. The broadcasts will run on Tue-Wed-Thur at
6am Eastern Time starting November 2 for four weeks. The best
part of the repeats is they will be run commercial-free!
Bravo has also created a lesson plan for the broadcasts. It can
be found at: <http://www.bravotv.com/Bravo_in_the_Classroom/
Cirque_du_Soleil_Solstrom.shtml>
[Source: Bravotv.com; Keith Johnson]
Cirque Helps You Be Secure
--------------------------
In what sounds like a fun development, Las Vegas' McCarran
airport has filmed new "infomercials" designed to remind
travelers about rules and regulations at the security
checkpoints. And fittingly they star Las Vegas celebrities.
Rita Rudner implores travelers not to crack jokes at the
checkpoint, Lance Burton advises folks to empty their pockets of
metal objects (using magic of course), and other vignettes
feature Wayne Newton, Blue Man Group, Carrot Top, and... Cirque du
Soleil! The Cirque segment features two spermatos from
"Mystère" trying to get a baby carriage through a checkpoint.
A nice article about the new films may be found at:
<http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Oct-05-Tue-
2004/business/24919244.html>
[Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal; Keith Johnson]
What's That Second La Nouba Disc Got?
-------------------------------------
We had been wondering what the "Bonus Features" disk on the
forthcoming La Nouba DVD would contain. Our calls to
Columbia/TriStar came up fruitless, but we did find some details
in the Cirque Press Release announcing the DVD. It will include
the mandatory Cirque Promos, but also a Photo Gallery, a
featurette on the "Les Cons" (sounds like fun!), In-depth
interviews with some of the artists, and "Meet the Musicians".
What, no "Meet the Artists"? Too bad.
[Source: Cirque du Soleil, Keith Johnson]
Zumanity CD On the Way!
-----------------------
For those fans who have waited with bated breath regarding the
musical release of Zumanity, wait no longer... sources tell us
that the Zumanity CD will go on sale at the Zumanity Boutique
inside New York-New York later this month and will be for sale
through Cirque's online boutique sometime in February 2005.
However, this can change at a moment's notice. Stay tuned for
further information!
Soleil de Minuit - Redux
------------------------
On September 30, 2004, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
(CBC) aired a special encore presentation of Midnight Sun
(Soleil de Minuit), the commemorative concert celebrating the
joint anniversaries of Cirque du Soleil and the Festival
Internationale de Jazz de Montréal that drew a record crowd of
over 200,000 people to the streets of downtown Montreal in July
of this year (for a full review of the concert see our July
issue).
The event was originally broadcast live on CBC (actually time
delayed by 20 minutes to allow for insertion of commercials),
but being a live event made it difficult to film for broadcast.
The first major problem with the original broadcast was that it
went over the allotted 2-hour time slot. Much to the chagrin of
those of us who set their VCRs, it meant that the beautiful
finale featuring Francesca Gagnon singing "Alegría" got cut off.
But aside from the overrun, the nature of live broadcast meant
that the program was edited on the fly, which resulted in a less
than optimal final product.
Luckily, Cirque du Soleil Images and l'Équipe Spectra (who
produced the program), have taken the raw footage and re-edited
the broadcast so that it is much more polished than the original
live version.
To fit it into a 2-hour time slot some of the program has been
trimmed. The opening speeches by Guy Laliberté and Alain Simard
(Presidents of Cirque and the Jazz Festival respectively) are
gone and many of the transitions between songs have been
shortened. A clown act, and the song "Simcha" from "O"
performed with a bagpipe brigade and accompanying an acrobatic
act by the group Streb, have also been eliminated. In general,
the cuts improve the overall flow and pacing of the show and
keep it at a good energy level. The numbers that were cut were
the weakest of the show and when watching the video of the
original broadcast I found that I would fast forward through
those parts anyway.
The editing itself is greatly improved, a wider variety of shots
are incorporated into the program and the use of blending
transitions is used to great effect. The soundtrack has also
been re-mixed and is greatly improved over the original
broadcast. The balance of the mix is much better in that
individual instruments and vocals are mixed to the right levels,
and sound elements such as the crowd's rhythmic clapping during
some numbers have been edited in for a more realistic sound
environment.
Generally, the final product of the re-edited television special
is much more polished and refined, and it will make a wonderful
addition to Cirque du Soleil's rapidly growing catalogue of
television programs. [By: Wayne Leung]
=======================================================================
CRQ-TV -- CIRQUE ON TELEVISION!
=======================================================================
* CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: SOLSTROM
-----------------------------
Network: BRAVO (USA)
- Episode 1: "Romance" - Episode 7: "Disguises"
11/2/04 @ 6:00am 11/16/04 @ 6:00am
- Episode 2: "Twins" - Episode 8: "Traveling"
11/3/04 @ 6:00am 11/17/04 @ 6:00am
- Episode 3: "Gothic" - Episode 9: "Childhood"
11/4/04 @ 6:00am 11/18/04 @ 6:00am
- Episode 4: "Rock'n'Roll" - Episode 10: "Construction"
11/9/04 @ 6:00am 11/23/04 @ 6:00am
- Episode 5: "Adventure" - Episode 11: "Puppets"
11/10/04 @ 6:00am 11/24/04 @ 6:00am
- Episode 6: "Escape" - Episode 12: "The Games"
11/11/04 @ 6:00am 11/30/04 @ 6:00am
* CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PRESENTS
-------------------------
Network: BRAVO (USA)
- Cirque du Soleil: Midnight Sun
11/19/04 @ 8:00pm
11/20/04 @ 12:00am
- Cirque du Soleil: Alegria
11/19/04 @ 10:00pm
- Cirque du Soleil: Dralion
11/20/04 @ 12:00am
11/21/04 @ 3:00pm
- Cirque du Soleil: Nouvelle Experience
11/20/04 @ 2:00am
- Cirque du Soleil: Quidam
11/20/04 @ 10:00pm
- Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco
11/19/04 @ 12:00am
- Cirque du Soleil: Varekai
11/20/04 @ 8:00pm
11/21/04 @ 5:00pm
* NOTE: Check your local listings for complete information. Schedule
is subject to change.
=======================================================================
CRQ.NET -- CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ONLINE
=======================================================================
This Month in Cirque Club
(By: Keith Johnson)
-------------------------
After a pause, Cirque Club returns to reporting with an article on the
IHQ Open House during the Les Journees de la Culture in late
September. The article includes 12 photos of characters, visitors,
and kids in makeup applied by Cirque makeup artists (how cool is
that?)!
The Press Release section has been busy, starting out with releases
announcing the formation of Cirque du Soleil Musique (music division),
the release of the new compilation CD "Le Best Of", and the two new
DVD releases. At the last moment (Thursday) they posted their release
announcing the new Beatles-inspired Mirage show.
Over at the KA website, they've added a new section called "Stage
Manager's Log" from Armand Thomas, the new shows Stage Manager. It
looks like it will be an ongoing feature, with dispatches from Las
Vegas at regular intervals. The first installment is a nice long
introduction, as Thomas is a good writer. Cirque has also posted two
video clips from the Press Conference held in Vegas last month. The
clips feature the "Pageant" and "Slave Cage (Wheel of Death)" segments
of the show, and together total about six and a half minutes. Sad to
say, the "Pageant" section is a little dark, and with its reduced size
it's hard to see what's going on. We'd like to see more clips of the
conference, especially the presentations by the creators and
executives (as was done online for Varekai). We're fans, we want to
see it all!
In fact, that's a plea we'd like to expand to any press conference
Cirque holds. It would be really nice to see longer interview clips
of conferences on Cirque Club, soon after the event itself. We think
it would expand the reach of the conference beyond the local audience.
Maybe a special "Press Conference" archive section?
In Cirque marketing messages:
Anne-Josee wrote: "I recently met with Carolyne Vita, one of the
artists in Saltimbanco. She took the time to share her thoughts about
visiting Rome with Cirque du Soleil...
"It's impossible to come to Italy and not enjoy it! Beside the
fantastic food, the authenticity of the culture and the warmth of the
people, the country itself is beautiful and charming!
"Half of my blood is from Italy! My dad, Philippo Vita, was born in
the region of Lazio, more precisely in a small village called
Castelforte (100 km south of Rome). My family has lived in Montreal,
Canada since 1946, after World War II. Every week on Sundays,
especially around Christmas, my grandmother's house would be
transformed into a small Italian village. When I was a child, it was
overwhelming to spend time among all my Italian-speaking relatives. I
couldn't understand anything beside the word mangia! But I would
always come home feeling so good because of their ability to make me
feel so loved - through their hugs, kisses, cheek-pinches, the look in
their eyes. There was no need for words! And this is reflected in my
experience with the Italian people in Rome. You don't need language
to share, or to absorb, such a powerful message.
"Anyway, all I want to say is that I'm very happy to have come to
Rome, especially so close to where my dad was born. Hopefully
Saltimbanco will fill your hearts with beautiful memories like the
ones Italy gives me every day. I was born in Montreal ... but I often
feel like I was born in Rome. Now, it's time for me to learn
Italian!"
Above text courtesy of Cirque Club.
La Presse
---------
1. [ Cirque du Soleil Alegría "Old Bird" Masks Recovered ]
< http://kyw.com/Local%20News/local_story_295235453.html >
2. [The Beatles Join Cirque - CBC News]
< http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2004/10/14/Arts/
beatlescirque041014.html >
3. [Cirque Spares no Cost with KA - Las Vegas Sun]
< http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2004/sep/16/
517520148.html >
4. [Beatles/Cirque Project is now go, go, go - Las Vegas Sun]
< http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2004/oct/15/
517670895.html >
5. [Spirit and Soul (about KA) - Las Vegas Review-Journal]
< http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Sep-16-Thu-
2004/news/24782634.html >
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
Note that any information in brackets [] is UN-official information
and subject to change.
[Touring Shows]
Alegría:
* Tokyo, Japan:
Dates: Oct 29, 2004 to Jan 23, 2005
* Fukuoka, Japan:
Dates: Feb 9, 2005 to Apr 3, 2005
* Nagoya, Japan:
Dates: Apr 20, 2005 to Jun 12, 2005
* Osaka, Japan:
Dates: Jun 25, 2005 to Aug 10, 2005
Cirque 2005:
* Montreal, Quebec, Canada -- Jacques-Cartier Pier
Dates: Apr 21, 2005 to May 29, 2005
* Quebec City, Quebec, Canada -- Galeries de la Capitale
Dates: Jun 30, 2003 to Jul 10, 2005
Dralion:
* Antwerp, Belgium -- Gedempte Zuiderdokken
Dates: Aug 12, 2004, to Oct 3, 2004
* Madrid, Spain -- Recinto Ferial, Casa de Campo
Dates: Oct 15, 2004 to Dec 2, 2004
* London, England -- Royal Albert Hall
Dates: Jan 6, 2005 to Jan 30, 2005
* Barcelona, Spain -- TBA
Dates: Mar 17, 2005 to Apr 24, 2005
* Rotterdam, Netherlands -- TBA
Dates: Jun 3, 2005 to Jun 19, 2005
* Oostende, -- TBA
Dates: Jul 21, 2005 to Aug 7, 2005
Quidam:
* Sydney, Australia -- The Showring, Fox Studios
Dates: Aug 12, 2004 to OPEN
* Brisbane, Australia -- Kingsford Smith Drive
Dates: Nov 4, 2004 to TBA
* Auckland, New Zealand -- TBA
Dates: Dec 31, 2004 to OPEN
* Melbourne, Australia -- TBA
Dates: Mar 4, 2005 to OPEN
* Adelaide, Australia -- TBA
Dates: May 12, 2005 to OPEN
* Perth, Australia -- TBA
Dates: June 30, 2005 to OPEN
Saltimbanco:
* Rome, Italy -- Viale Cristoforo Colombo
Dates: Oct 7, 2004 to Nov 14, 2004
* Lille, France -- Esplanade Champ de Mars
Dates: Nov 25, 2004 to Dec 26, 2004
* Manchester, UK -- Trafford Centre
Dates: Jan 6, 2005 to Jan 23, 2005
* Birmingham, UK -- TBA
* Dublin, IR -- TBA
Varekai:
* Washington, DC -- Grounds of RFK Stadium
Dates: Sep 16, 2004 to Oct 24, 2004
* Dallas, Texas -- Fair Park
Dates: Nov 4, 2004 to Dec 5, 2004
[May Extend to Dec 19, 2004]
* Houston, Texas -- TBA
Dates: Jan 6, 2005 to Feb 13, 2005
* Austin, Texas -- Former Mueller Airport
Dates: Feb 24, 2005 to Mar 20, 2005
* Pittsburg, Pennsylvania -- TBA
* Baltimore, Maryland -- TBA
* Hartford, Connecticut -- TBA
* Columbus, Ohio -- TBA
* Detroit, Michigan -- TBA
* Tampa, Florida -- TBA
* Miami, Florida -- TBA
[Resident Shows]
La Nouba:
* Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm
* Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday
* Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando (USA)
* 2004 Dark Dates:
-- October 17th - 20th -- December 6th - 13th
Mystère:
* Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:30pm
Beginning June 13th: Except Sundays; 4:30pm and 7:30pm
* Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark Wednesday/Thursday
Beginning June 9th: Wednesday - Sunday, Dark Monday/Tuesday
* Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA)
* 2004 Dark Dates:
-- November 28th
"O":
* Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:30pm
* Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark Monday/Tuesday
* Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
* 2004 Dark Dates:
-- December 6th - 21st
Zumanity:
* Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:30pm
* Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
* Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
* 2004 Dark Dates:
-- November 28th - 30th
-- December 1st - 20th
KÀ:
* Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 10:30pm
* Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark Wednesday/Thursday
* Location: MGM Grand: City of Entertainment, Las Vegas (USA)
* Note: One show nightly at 8:00pm from Nov 26 to Dec 7.
=======================================================================
DIDYAKNOW? -- FACTS ABOUT CIRQUE
=======================================================================
In the last three years we've had the honor of meeting and talking
with many current and former Cirque artists about a variety of
subjects. While we can't reveal identities, since several of them
still work for Cirque, we think some of the things they have to say
would be interesting to fans and aspiring artists and musicians. So,
over the next several months, we'll feature some questions we posed to
Cirque performers and their answers -- "In Their Own Words".
We asked does Cirque compensate fairly? An artist comments:
"Circus is really nice for athletes because after your career is over
there's not much you can do. To have this kind of opportunity is just
amazing for any athlete. Someone who doesn't even think about what
they're going to do after their competitive career is over. Except
maybe teaching or doing something completely different. You do make a
fair amount of money for a young person. Especially if you come from
Russia or China. But it doesn't last forever. There isn't enough
money on the side toward retirement, like sports like hockey have.
It's a production similar to a Broadway show but isn't compensated
like Broadway. Yet it's a circus. If you compare it to other
circuses, like those in Europe, Cirque pays well."
=======================================================================
LE SPECTACLE:
"A Day at the Circus: Les journées de la culture at TOHU"
By: Wayne Leung - Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)
=======================================================================
Every year on the last weekend of September cultural institutions
around the province of Québec open their doors for demonstrations,
shows and tours as a part of the provincial government's Journées de
la culture (Culture Days) initiative. This event provides fans of
Cirque du Soleil the opportunity to make an annual pilgrimage to the
international headquarters of the organization and tour the facilities
where the magic is created, speak to employees who make the magic
happen on a daily basis and watch upcoming artists in training. This
year I noticed that the Cirque du Soleil open house event was a bit
scaled down from last year's. The reason for the smaller event at
Cirque's headquarters was immediately evident on my arrival in the
North Montreal community of St-Michel that the company calls home.
Last year the entire area surrounding the Cirque's IHQ was filled with
construction sites. This year the construction has been completed and
the brand new facilities of Tohu, Montreal's Circus arts city, have
been completed and were also open for tours. In previous years the
open house was exclusively a Cirque du Soleil event. This year the
emphasis was on the entire Tohu complex comprised of Cirque du
Soleil's International Headquarters, École nationale de cirque (ENC,
the National Circus School), and the brand new Chapiteau des Arts,
site of Tohu's administrative office and Canada's first circular
performance hall dedicated to the showcasing of circus arts. All of
the aforementioned sites were open for the public to tour during les
Journées de la culture.
I covered my visit last year in an article in our October 2003 issue.
Similar events took place at this year's open house. I toured the
costume workshop where employees were on hand to answer questions
about the many costume pieces on display from the various shows. Some
pieces of note included singer Mathieu Lavoie's cloak from Varekai, a
yellow-tasseled body suit worn by the bungee characters in Mystère,
the outfits worn by the character Aurora and by the Duo Trapeze
artists in "O", the Lizard outfit worn by Gareth Hopkins in Varekai,
the Manipulation outfit from Alegría, and an entire table devoted to
the fabrication techniques used in the making of the costumes for the
upcoming Kà. One major difference this year was that many pieces were
prominently displayed in an area where visitors were able to examine
them very closely and even allowed to touch them to get a tactile feel
for the costumes.
The next area I toured featured masks from various productions; the
synchronized swimmers' masks from "O", the African-inspired hoop diver
masks from Dralion, the Old Birds from Alegría and several masks from
Mystère.
Moving on to the props workshop I saw several props from Dralion on
display including two completed Dralion Heads, one of Icarus' wings
from Varekai and a display detailing the process of making a mould of
an artists' head to facilitate the making of masks and headpieces
specifically fitted to a particular artist.
Moving downstairs I visited an area I did not previously have the
opportunity to explore, the fabrics and textiles workshop. Since
Cirque's costumes feature many elaborate patterns the company
purchases un-coloured, raw fabric and performs all of the necessary
dyeing, printing, painting, and silk screening operations in-house.
Many different printed patterns were on display, including the fabric
patterns used in the costumes of many of Varekai's forest creatures as
well as the patterns of the costumes worn by the Russian Swing flyers
from the show. The print for Dralion's hoop diver costume was also on
display as was a detailed print for the bodysuit that will be worn by
a "Forest Man" in Kà.
The fabric workshop also housed a display featuring headpieces worn in
the various productions, among them a collection from Varekai (Icarian
Games, Russian Swings, Triple Trapeze and Olga's old "seashell"
headpiece), a selection of headpieces worn by the Baroques in
Saltimbanco as well as Funny Bunny's headpieces from Quidam (both the
regular, ear-up version and the skipping rope, ear-down version).
Elsewhere in the Cirque du Soleil IHQ complex, a make shift theatre
showed the soon-to-be-released-on-DVD La Nouba television special.
Another showed the Soleil de Minuit commemorative concert television
special. A photographic exhibition on the costumes of Cirque du
Soleil featuring many artistic prints of close-up photos of various
costumes. An exhibition highlighting the efforts of the Cirque du
Soleil Images team housed in the dance studio featured dozens of video
screens showing clips from all of the different television
productions.
This year, the large training studio A/B was empty but the doors were
open and guests were allowed to step inside for a look (but had to
remain in a cordoned-off area). In studio C/D guests gathered to
watch a team of artists training on Russian Swing. The particular
group of artists I saw was training for Saltimbanco. I also had the
opportunity to watch a young girl from China practice balancing
upside-down on a unicycle and peddling across a slack wire, I was told
this would be one of the new acts that will be integrated into Alegría
when the show is overhauled for its Japanese tour.
After completing my tour of the Cirque du Soleil headquarters I walked
across the street to visit another institution in the Tohu complex,
the brand new campus of l'École Nationale de Cirque. While touring
the school's various studios I had the opportunity to watch many young
up-and-coming circus artists training in disciplines as diverse as
trapeze, aerial hoop, fast track, tight wire, aerial silks, dance and
tumbling. The new facility is well equipped and very well appointed
to impart the circus arts to a new generation of performers. It was a
little bit strange to look inside the classrooms in this facility;
they look just like classrooms in any high school or college. The
artists-in-training at ENC are also full-time college students.
Finally I had the opportunity to visit the heart to Tohu itself, the
Chapiteau des Arts. The modern, urban yet earthy new building houses
Tohu's administrative offices as well as the headquarters of the
Saint-Michel Environmental Complex. The lobby of the Chapiteau is
bright, colourfully accented and thoroughly modern; a large
interactive video wall provides information about all of Tohu's
residences. Screens hanging from the ceiling show animated images
representing the four ancient elements; earth, air, fire and water.
The building also houses a permanent exhibit called "Terra Cirqua"
presenting pieces of circus history. A temporary exhibit called "Beau
risque" in the lobby's exhibition area featured modern art pieces
inspired by circus performance. The 840-seat performance hall was
also open and performers from the current show, les 7 doigts de la
main, several of whom are Cirque du Soleil alumni, made an appearance
twice during the afternoon for discussions on the profession of circus
artists and for a few impromptu performances.
All in all, the feeling of this year's open house event was very
different from previous years. It is amazing to see the incredible
growth the neighborhood around the Cirque du Soleils international
headquarters has seen in the year since my last visit. With the birth
of Tohu, now is the most exciting time for the development of the
circus arts in Montreal, a city well on its way to its goal of
becoming the circus capital of the world.
=======================================================================
LE SPECTATEUR:
"KÀ -- Duality in Motion, a Personal Q&A"
By: Ricky Russo - Orlando, Florida (USA)
=======================================================================
Since September 15th, the day official word about Cirque's newest
production KÀ (to be housed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas) was
released there has been copious amounts of buzz regarding its
announcement, in both media and fan circles. So much so that a
plethora of questions has arisen regarding the production and
sometimes those answers aren't forthcoming.
They certainly weren't for this writer, who was quite preoccupied out
of his home country -- in the city of Kyoto to be exact -- embarking
on the second phase of a planned trip to Japan. I recall with clarity
eyeing the announcement as I read my email messages at K's
Backpacker's House with curiosity, asking myself... what is this KÀ
really all about?
Up to that point I hadn't bothered to educate myself on the
production, lest it be spoiled before I had a chance to see it
premiere. And yet I felt drawn to it in a strange sort of way...
wanting to learn a bit more before the curtain rose. In our last issue
we touched briefly what KA was all about, but now, however, I'd like
to take the opportunity to explore the questions I asked about the
production and thereby perhaps answering some of those you, our
faithful readers, may have.
Q. What does KÀ mean?
A. According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, in Egyptian
mythology it is written the human soul is made up of five distinct
parts: the Ka, Akh, Ba, Shadow and the Name. The Ka, therefore, was
the spiritual soul of a person, which existed in tandem in a double
relationship with the living being and continued throughout the
afterlife. Readers with knowledge of the Japanese language may also
recognize the word "ka," a particle, which is used to change a
statement sentence into a question and for comparisons, among other
things. Cirque du Soleil may also have had this in mind for the show's
logo, which has been influenced by Asian iconography. Fans may be
interested to know that KÀ's working title was "duality".
Q. What is KÀ about?
A. KÀ is all about duality, or the concept of twins. It is that
concept, one of duality ("personified by the twins and the symbolic
use of fire"), which is reflected in the show's vision and therefore
transfers to the show's title.
According to the Cirque du Soleil press release regarding this new
production, KÀ combines "acrobatic performances, martial arts,
puppetry, multimedia and pyrotechnics to illustrate the nature of
duality [and] tells the epic saga of separated twins-a boy and a girl-
who embark on a perilous journey to fulfill their linked destinies. As
the plot unfolds, danger lies in wait for them at every turn. Archers
and spearmen hunt the twins relentlessly, as their quest takes them
through a succession of challenging landscapes, from mysterious
seashore through menacing mountains and foreboding forests."
Q. Who is behind KÀ?
A. Fans will recognize many names amongst this list as being veteran
Cirque du Soleil conceptors: Guy Laliberté - Guide, Robert Lepage -
Creator and Director, Guy Caron - Director of Creation, Mark Fisher -
Set Designer, Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt - Costume Designer
René Dupéré - Composer and Arranger, Jacques Heim - Choreographer, Luc
Lafortune - Lighting Designer, Jonathan Deans - Sound Designer, Holger
Förterer - Interactive Projections Designer, Michael Curry - Puppet
Designer, Patricia Ruel - Props Designer, Jaque Paquin - Acrobatic
Equipment and Rigging Designer, André Simard - Aerial Acrobatics
Designer, and Nathalie Gagné - Make-up Designer. It may be interesting
to note that during the creation process, veteran Cirque du Soleil
composer Benoit Jutras was considered and rumored as the production's
composer.
Q. How much did KÀ Cost to produce?
A. According to the Las Vegas Sun, Cirque du Soleil spent $30 million
to bring KA to fruition. The MGM Grand spent $135 million on the
theater, brining a total price tag of approximately $165 million US.
To bring this number into perspective, it was reported that it cost
$66 million to produce Zumanity at the NY-NY Hotel/Casino, the $90
million US cost for "O" at Bellagio ($70 million theater/$20 million
production) and the $20 million US plus for Mystère at Treasure
Island.
Q. How many/what are the acts?
A. During the media preview at least one of the "acts" was presented,
called "The Wheel of Death". The Wheel is a remarkable looking
contraption that seems more like a ride that might be found on your
local fair's midway than in a Cirque du Soleil show. It consists of
two "wheels" attached at the end of two moving arms in which
performers climb into, around and on top to perform their feats of
acrobatics.
The actual list of "acts" has not been presented, however, there has
been rumors. Such tidbits include that the show will feature
"acrobatic dance, martial arts, puppets, bungee aerial acts, and
trampolines."
Also, at one time, the Cirque du Soleil casting website was looking
for acrobats to fill certain personages: the Evil Counselor and the
Blind Man: The Evil Counselor is the principal character in this new
show. He's described as a "poisonous character and [a] power-hungry
manipulator (like Shakespeare's Iago or Richard III)." The Blind Man
is also a principal character, old, wise, and will personify an
African wizard.
Q. How many performers are in KÀ?
A. There are currently 72 performers in KÀ.
Q. What is the KÀ Theater like?
A. Not too many details regarding the KÀ Theater have been released up
to this point, but suffice it to say the theater is a remarkable
performance space. It sits 1,951 patrons and, as reported above, came
at a cost of $135 million US.
Previously the spectacular shows EFX and EFX Alive occupied that
space, however, if you've seen them and know the theater well get
ready for a shock -- the space was totally renovated and remade to
specifically house KÀ. It is said there is no definable stage, as we
know it. Instead the fixed stage has been replaced by "a fog-filled
'void'" in which platforms and riggings move in and out as needed.
"There are a lot of things here that people will see that so far have
been done only in movies and television with special effects. Here it
is for real," said Guy Laliberté. It's "the most theatrical show we've
ever done."
Q. When does KÀ premiere?
A. Special preview performances begin on November 26, 2004 at 8:00pm.
One show per evening will be held from November 26th through December
7th, where at that time a two show per-night schedule will begin at
7:00pm and 10:30pm (though this may change). KÀ is scheduled to
perform Friday through Tuesday (Dark Wednesday/Thursday). Children
under five-years of age are not permitted into the theater and guests
under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are currently available for purchase at www.ka.com in three
categories. Section 102 (front and center) commands a $150.00 US
price, Sections 101, 103, 202 are $125.00 US and Sections 201 and 203
are $99.00 US. All prices include tax.
=======================================================================
BEHIND THE CURTAIN:
"I Hear a Young Minstrel Sing:
The Launch of the Cirque du Soleil Musique Record Label"
By: Wayne Leung - Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)
=======================================================================
For much of Cirque du Soleil's history, the company has sought to
publish and promote albums featuring music from their shows as an
extension of their brand. The music of Cirque du Soleil's shows forms
an integral part of the company's mystique. In recent years Cirque
has begun to branch out, first by re-releasing many of its previous
albums with additional "live" tracks, then with projects such as Tapis
Rouge, a series of albums featuring remixes of Cirque du Soleil's
music. This year, Cirque's contract with record company BMG Canada
expired and the company is officially launching its own record label,
"Cirque du Soleil Musique." The first ventures for the new label will
be the re-release of soundtrack albums from many of their shows in a
repackaged form branded with the new "Cirque du Soleil Musique" label.
Later this year, a new Tapis Rouge remix Double CD is slated for
release and, eventually, the company aims to scout out, develop and
market emerging musical artists under the Cirque du Soleil Musique
banner as well. This move reflects a new management style for Cirque
du Soleil; as the company grows larger, there is a push to separate
and individually manage divisions for Television and Film, "Derived
products" (clothing, jewelry, accessories, books, art pieces, etc.),
Hospitality (responsible for the partnership with Celebrity Cruises)
and, of course, Music.
To officially launch their new record label and their new
commemorative compilation CD "Le Best of Cirque du Soleil" the company
hosted a series of CD launch parties in Toronto, Montreal and New York
City. I was the fortunate recipient of an invitation to attend the
Montreal party held at Tohu's headquarters, the brand new Chapiteau
des Arts on the evening of September 29th. The festivities were
slated to begin at 5PM. While guests waited outside the doors of
Tohu's Chapiteau des Arts characters emerged and mixed with the crowd.
First, two stilt-walkers emerged, then a man dressed in the iridescent
red Russian Swing costume from Varekai, followed by two Old Birds from
Alegría, a Baroque and an Urban Worm from Saltimbanco, an "O" Zebra,
Océane and a Hoop Diver from Dralion. These costumed personalities
would be present throughout the night to interact with the crowd.
When the doors opened the crowd was ushered into the main showroom at
Tohu. The auditorium, recently vacated by les 7 doigts de la main
after a month-long run, had been transformed into a swanky night-club.
All of the theatre seats had been removed and the floor was dotted
with high-rise tables where party-goers could stand and place their
drinks. As guests entered, Target from Quidam could be spotted above
the entrance showering them with red feathers. Cirque music played in
the background (Varekai and the Tapis Rouge Solarium remixes featured
prominently). Large video screens flanked both sides of the room
showing a highly stylized montage of acts from various Cirque shows in
a continuous loop. Servers wearing Cirque-style make-up made their
way around the room serving wine and canapés. Guests were also
treated to an open bar serving wine, beer and, later in the evening,
sherry as well as some non-alcoholic beverages. Another bar served
coffee to guests who preferred caffeine to alcohol. The main stage
was set up for a concert; chairs with music stands could be spotted.
A podium took up centre-stage.
I grabbed a glass of red wine and set out to mingle. Amidst the crowd
of Cirque du Soleil insiders, media and invited guests. I spotted
Violaine Corradi (composer for Varekai and Dralion) and, busily
chatting on a cell phone before greeting members of his family, the
man himself, Cirque du Soleil President Guy Laliberté. It was a
surreal experience to be "hanging out" at a party with the Cirque du
Soleil elite.
About an hour into the party a voice (identifiable as that of Cirque
publicist Marie-Claude Ménard) came over the loudspeakers and
announced the beginning of the official proceedings and the arrival of
Cirque du Soleil Musique President Ian Tremblay to the stage. Lights
from TV cameras around the hall lit up and a row of media
photographers crowded the front of the stage. A series of speeches
followed. Ian Tremblay gave the regular press spiel about the
company's creative drive and its will to branch out with new ventures.
Guy Laliberté then took the podium and presented an award to Cirque
composer René Dupéré in recognition of his collective soundtrack
albums from Cirque du Soleil shows having sold two million units in
Canada. Another award was then presented; "Le Best of Cirque du
Soleil" has already achieved gold record status in Canada (50,000
units sold).
As a final treat for the party guests (and additional fodder for the
press) Cirque presented a mini-concert highlighting the music featured
on the new album in the form of a 20-minute medley. The band,
including a 12-piece string section, took to the stage and struck up
Réveil from Quidam. At the piece's crescendo the curtains at the rear
of the stage parted to reveal a choir singing the "Atmadja" chorus.
Laur Fugère, Cirque vocal coach and perennial Cirque singer
substitute, then sauntered up to the center-stage microphone for a
stirring rendition of Nostalgie from "O". It then transitioned to
Pokinoï, performed beautifully with the choir. The medley continued
and included Kumbalawé from Saltimbanco, Querer from Alegría, Ombra
and Stella Errans from Dralion, Liama from La Nouba and, as the grand
finale, Cirque du Soleil's signature song, Alegría, performed as
multi-coloured feathers rained down on the party guests.
While much of the press packed up and left after the "official"
presentation, the party continued, drinks flowing and guests mingled.
Copies of the new CD were distributed. René Dupéré signed autographs
and chatted with guests.
Earlier in the evening René stated that he was excited to be back and
working with Cirque du Soleil on the new production (KÀ) and that he
chose to return because he believes the company is headed in the right
direction artistically. Of the media and guests in attendance that
night, I sensed that many shared his optimism and are anxiously
awaiting what Cirque du Soleil Musique has to offer in the future.
References:
* "Le Cirque du Soleil rencontre Thievery Corporation" Stéphanie
Bérubé, La Presse, Sept. 30, 2004
* "Cirque du Soleil Starts Record Label" Norma Reveler, Reuters,
Sept. 23, 2004
* "Cirque du Soleil launches a new division" Cirque du Soleil
Press Release, Sept. 22, 2004
=======================================================================
PARTING QUOTE
=======================================================================
"It's a work in progress. We know pretty much the end product
-- we just don't know yet how we are going to get there."
- Gilles Ste-Croix, on the new Beatles show.
=======================================================================
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
=======================================================================
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Have a comment, question or concern? Email the Fascination!
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We are anxious to hear any and all comments!
=======================================================================
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
=======================================================================
"Fascination!" is Ricky Russo, Keith Johnson, and Wayne Leung.
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c)
2001-2004 Ricky Russo, published by Vortex/RGR Productions, a
subsidiary of Communicore Enterprises. No portion of this newsletter
can be reproduced, published in any form or forum, quoted or
translated without the consent of the "Fascination!
Newsletter." By sending us correspondence, you give us permission
(unless otherwise noted) to use the submission as we see fit, without
remuneration. All submissions become the property of the "Fascination!
Newsletter." "Fascination! Newsletter" is not affiliated in any way
with Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil and all its creations are
Copyright (c) and are registered trademarks (TM) of Cirque du Soleil,
Inc., and Créations Méandres, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No copyright
infringement intended.
=======================================================================
