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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
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http://www.CirqueFascination.com
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VOLUME 20, NUMBER 2 February 2020 ISSUE #193
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Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque
du Soleil Newsletter.
* * * CIRQUE 2020 IS "UNDER THE SAME SKY" * * *
On Monday, October 7, 2019, Cirque du Soleil gave us a sneak peek at
Cirque du Soleil 2020, an all new touring show set to premiere on
April 23, 2020 under the big top at the Old Port of Montreal, written
and directed by renowned artist and stage designer Es Devlin. On
January 30th, Cirque du Soleil announced the name of the show as UNDER
THE SAME SKY. In Cirque du Soleil UNDER THE SAME SKY, the audience
will be touched by uplifting acrobatic choreography, startling
physical theatre and moved by the vibrant musical score, all infused
with the warmth of human interconnection. This new big top experience
invokes the power of the human performance and communal experience
which remain at the heart of all Cirque du Soleil creations. It is a
meeting of visual art and human performance, a hymn to the vibrant
communal experience that only a live show can offer. Cirque du Soleil
invites fans to meet under the big top to share the experience of this
new surprising and joyful live gathering.
WATCH THE TEASER HERE:
https://youtu.be/vDVOrzmW8c8
Read more about this new touring show within!
* * * GOODBYE AMALUNA? * * *
Amaluna celebrated its 2,500th performance on January 24th in
Sacramento, California. We had hopes that the show would have many
more performances to celebrate, but rumor had it the show would
have its final curtain call in Hong Kong, at the end of April or
beginning of May (had the stop been extended). However, with the
onset of the Wuhan coronavirus, the Hong Kong leg was canceled and
Amaluna will have its final show in Sacramento instead. Whether
Amaluna is converted to the arena format for future touring remains
to be seen.
* * * 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE DID WELL * * *
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) held its Q2 2020 Earnings Call
recently and on that call were two mentions of Cirque du Soleil's
Christmas-themed show 'Twas The Night Before...:
The first: "Turning to our operations. [...] Highlights this quarter
included a very successful multi-night run of Cirque du Soleil's Twas
the Night Before, which sold out 37 of its 45 shows at the Hulu and
Chicago Theatres."
And the second: "Turning to our segment results. At MSG Entertainment,
revenues of $312.7 million decreased 1%. [...] These decreases were
mostly offset by a significant increase in event-related revenues from
other events, primarily due to Cirque du Soleil's successful holiday
show, a high-single-digit percentage increase in revenues for Tao
Group and our record-setting year for the Christmas Spectacular."
So it seems 'Twas The Night Before... did quite well!
* * * HULU TO STREAM "BIG TOP ACADEMY" * * *
Discovery Kids Media (DKM) has announced that Big Top Academy will
stream on Hulu in the US and air on the Sony Pictures Television
(SPT) POP network across the UK. Both Hulu and SPT acquired rights
to Season 1 and 2 of the live-action series. DKM is Discovery
International's recently created unit charged with developing,
commissioning, co-producing and distributing kids' animated and
live-action content for both linear and digital platforms. Big Top
Academy has already aired in Canada, Latin America, Portugal, and
Africa. "We are excited to see Discovery Kids Media already
announcing sales in two key markets such as the U.S. and the UK,"
said Carolina Lightcap, CCO Discovery Latin America/USH & General
Manager, DKM. "We look forward to delighting these audiences with
Big Top Academy's story, which combines high production standards
with a strong and positive message for kids and families."
* * * WHAT IS NEXGEN? * * *
On January 31st, Cirque du Soleil Casting announced a new initiative
in collaboration with handpicked centers around the world, entitled:
NexGen by Cirque du Soleil. The goal is to share expertise and best
practices in the field of human performance and provide high caliber
training opportunities to emerging talent, through...
o) EARLY DETECTION -- Training and workshops for athletes and
artists as young as 16 years old.
o) HIGH CALIBER TRAINING -- The Centers and the athletes will
benefit from the expertise of Cirque du Soleil coaches.
o) FUTURE TALENT -- Identify and nurture young as they prepare
for a career on stage.
Partners include...
o) ANT GYM - Avignon, France -- ANT GYM is a sports and cultural
complex for the whole family. The center offers activities in
Women's & Men's Artistic Gymnastics, senior gym, baby gym, handi
gym but also parkour and cross country. training, circus arts.
o) San Diego Circus Center - San Diego, United States -- Devoted to
advancing circus training in North America and enriching the lives
of our community by teaching circus disciplines, art and culture.
o) Acro Clube da Maia - Maia, Portugal -- We believe in the Power of
Sports! At the Center, you can learn gymnastics and fitness as well
as parkour. Salto, the international Circus School, also offers a
two-year course plus workshops and intensive courses.
o) Baross Imre Artistaképzo - Budapest, Hungary -- The ancestor of the
Imre Baross Institute opened in 1950. In addition to professional
training and primary and secondary school education, the school is
also the Hungarian institution for the development of circus arts
education.
o) Balance Akrobatika & Torna Club - Budapest, Hungary -- Founded in
2017, the club offers gymnastic training for kids and adults. Circus
training was added in 2019. The mission of the club is to help
children grow in what they love to do and achieve a higher level of
skill through a recreational, competitive or high-performance program.
Check out the following link for more information and for current class
schedules! https://castingpage.cirquedusoleil.com/nexgen/
* * * LAST, BUT NOT LEAST... * * *
o) Cirque du Soleil and Air Canada enter an international sponsoring
partnership, which is celebrated in the following video:
https://www.facebook.com/CirqueduSoleil/videos/764196710742073/
o) Alegria: In a New Light celebrated its 300th performance on January
15, 2020. Check out the following video marking the occasion:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2673896562705899
o) On January 20th, JOYA celebrated its 100,000th spectator.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=458387551730373
o) LUZIA performed at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards ceremony on
Sunday, February 2nd. The Adagio artists gracefully brought the spirit
of Judy Garland to life through choreography to "Somewhere Over The
Rainbow" from the movie JUDY, a biographical drama film about American
singer and actress Judy Garland's career during the last year of her
life when she relocated her stage career to Britain. Watch a video here:
https://www.facebook.com/LUZIAbyCirqueduSoleil/videos/616842192195369/
o) On February 2nd, AXEL celebrated its 100th performance.
More? Keep reading!
/----------------------------------------------------\
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\----------------------------------------------------/
- Ricky "Richasi" Russo
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CONTENTS
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o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings
* La Presse -- General News & Highlights
* Q&A -- Quick Chats & Press Interviews
o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information
* BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau
* Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues
* Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre
o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets
* Webseries -- Official Online Featurettes
* Videos -- Official Peeks & Noted Fan Finds
o) Fascination! Features
* "MESSI10: There's a 10 in Each of Us?"
Texts from the Press Kit
* "Costumes at Cirque du Soleil - The Challenging Work of
Preserving Circus Heritage" By: Katalin Lightner
Originally Published by CircusTalk
o) Copyright & Disclaimer
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CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
=======================================================================
***************************************************************
LA PRESSE -- General News & Highlights
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ICYMI - First Visit Inside Revamped Cirque Big Top at WDW
{Jan.07.2020}
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Cirque du Soleil's new Disney Springs show, "Drawn to Life," opens in
March, and its theater is abuzz with activity. The set is nearly done;
the performers have arrived and are rehearsing in their new home. On
Monday night, Mtthew Palm from the Orlando Sentinel visited the
distinctive tentlike structure on the west side of Disney Springs for
the first time since the long-running "La Nouba" closed two years ago.
During a briefing with members of the creative team, here's what he
learned about five key aspects of "Drawn to Life," the first Disney-
Cirque collaboration:
1. THE STORY
What we knew: "Drawn to Life" centers on 12-year-old Julie. Her
father, a Disney animator, has died. As she looks for his last gift to
her, through his art of animation she finds her own voice.
What I learned: Julie's late father has a name, Tom, and the decision
to inject a sad note right off the bat wasn't taken lightly. But it
was deemed important to the richness of the show. "Count the number of
Disney movies where there is a missing parent," said creative director
Fabrice Becker. "You have to create that feeling to then have beauty
and hope. We really wanted to make that emotional connection. It's a
very aspirational show." Another story point: "Drawn to Life" has more
of a literal storyline than "La Nouba" and as such won't feature
interludes of clowning between the acrobatic and other acts. "The
humor is brought by the characters," said show writer and director
Michel Laprise. "I think the audience prefers that." Like "La Nouba,"
"Drawn to Life" will run about 90 minutes with no intermission.
2. THE SET
What we knew: Renderings showed that the entire stage would resemble
an animator's drafting table.
What I learned: Decorated in a beige and bronze palette, the stage
includes an oversized crank-turn pencil sharpener and a decorative urn
for pencils that towers over the average human. The neutral tones by
set designer Stephane Roy let Philippe Guillotel's colorful costumes
pop. Two fanciful paintbrush costumes were on display, with
headdresses of vivid yellow, deep blue and bright purple. Gone are the
moving beltways in the stage floor, used to great effect in "La
Nouba." But the gold-leafed stage suggests new surprises. Grooves and
holes are cut into the floor as are openings that will let sound
emerge from speakers below. There's still no official word on what
Disney characters will be featured in "Drawn to Life," but those
speaker openings look like duck feet.
3. THE TECHNOLOGY
What we knew: Based on rehearsal video that showed various forms of
acrobatics and aerial performance, it was clear the stage would have
to be able to move the necessary apparatus around. "We have so much
technology," Laprise confirmed Monday, "but everything is hidden."
What I learned: "Drawn to Life" uses a new technique of digital
projecting, in which a projection appears on a performer who is moving
across the stage. Imagine the precision that must take. Laprise calls
it projecting "a character on a character" and says "We are creating a
new art-form. It never existed before." Not everything will use
projections, though. Laprise praised the show's artistic depiction of
a multi-plane camera, a key tool in animated filmmaking. "There are
moving parts that look hand-painted," he said. "It's quite audacious
for our companies to do this."
4. THE BUILDING
What we knew: The Cirque building has been behind a construction wall
for quite some time.
What I learned: The audience will sit in new chairs of a deep blue
color in the newly carpeted theater. In fact, theatergoers will see
changes from the moment they arrive. The lobby and refreshment areas
also have been redesigned to complement the show and its homage to
Disney animation, Disney officials said.
5. THE "MAGIC"
What we knew: The creative team has repeatedly stressed the deep
nature of the collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney.
What I learned: Knowing that children will be a key component of the
audience, the show creators plan to let youngsters draw with Julie
before the action begins. "Logistically, it's a beautiful challenge,"
Laprise quipped. Expect some surprises from the familiar Disney
characters, in how they appear and what they do. "Disney allowed us to
break a few boundaries with the characters but in a respectful way,"
Becker said. "The characters appear from Julie's point of view. You
could say it's the same for any kid in the audience."
* * *
Orlando Sentinel theater writer Matthew J. Palm Matt was invited to
tour the newly renovated big top on the west side of Disney Springs.
He talks with theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil about the reimagined
stage, "a new art form" Cirque is perfecting, and how "Drawn to Life"
may weave in Disney characters and melodies in the podcast below...
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-
podcast/os-ne-s6-disney-inspired-cirque-du-soleil-show-at-tpr-podcast-
ep-32-20200109-j73onwu5tfeeddaytmcj7drlxe-story.html
{ SOURCE: Orlando Sentinel }
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'KÁ' gets an acrobatic boost from new Icarian Games act
{Jan.13.2020}
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Now that Cirque du Soleil has introduced a new type of stunt-based
action spectacular to the world with "R.U.N" at Luxor, it seemed like
a great time to revisit the company's other action-packed resident
show on the Las Vegas Strip, "KÁ" at MGM Grand. As a bonus, I got to
see the newest act in this unique production, a quartet of talented
"foot juggling" artists from Ethiopia.
Known as Icarian Games and taking place in the opening scene, these
two duos take the stage as the royal family of "KÁ" is being
introduced and entertained by demonstrations of martial arts styles
Wushu and Brazilian Capoeira. One partner acts as the base,
catapulting the other with his hands and feet and creating a fast and
furious acrobatic phenomenon that must be seen to be believed.
"We had a pretty aggressive deadline with [the cast] and coaches to
not only create the act in KÁ' but making sure it was the right
integration from a storyline perspective," said Kati Renaud, the
show's senior artistic director, in a video released by Cirque du
Soleil. "The beginning of the show has to make sense and it can't be
an act that appears out of nowhere. Obviously it's a big show to
integrate new artists and we want to make sure the artists don't feel
rushed."
The Icarian Games artists are Ephrem Fekade Demesa, Wondessen Shimeles
Abetew, Legese Aba Dida and Biruk Moges Shebru and they've known each
other and performed together for years.
"They're all very polished performers. Their acts are very
impressive," said Rob Dawson, the show's head coach. "We took the
skills they did, we mash it to the music, we mash it to the stage and
just let them do their thing."
The act is quite daring for an opening sequence, some truly impressive
physical feats that make an exciting impact before the famous scenes
in "KÁ" where the one-of-a-kind movable stage creates more magical
moments. It's a great fit and a thrilling new addition to the show.
"It was a proud moment for us welcoming this beautiful act into the
show, and it was also a proud moment for them, arriving at the end of
August and literally five weeks later premiering into the show," said
Renaud. "It's a real testament of their work ethic and how we work
together as a team, coming together and feeling passionate about
making the show better and touching our audiences."
The action in "KÁ," which originally opened in 2004, is very different
from the new "R.U.N" show, which moves at a nonstop, rapid pace. The
big scenes in "KÁ" are heightened by the constant back-and-forth in
the plot, peaks and valleys of unbelievable, cinematic battles
juxtaposed with quiet, intimate moments. My favorites are: when one of
the bad guys, the chief archer's daughter, frees the heroic twin
brother and then performs a beautiful baton act, a single small and
colorful character alone on a vast, dark stage; and an earlier
sequence where four good guys are being pursued and attacked by a
group or archers, climbing, flipping and spinning across a stage
that's rotating at a 45-degree angle and using those arrows to play a
sort of human Plinko game. It's easily one of the most remarkable
single scenes in the history of shows on the Strip and I could watch
it over and over again.
I was recently reminded just how spectacular "KÁ" can be when I spoke
with one of the show's riggers, Andy Schmitz, for a story about his
contribution to a local Cirque du Soleil employee art exhibit. He's
always around the show and he's always in awe.
"Working backstage on it makes it more familiar but I'm also very much
amazed at how smoothly it all goes, especially knowing the thousands
of small ways it can go wrong," he said. "It's a very visual spectacle
but all of that is rooted in the artists' personal virtuosity, and
working with them and seeing what they have to do to achieve that
level of mastery, which takes a lifetime, they're so talented and it's
such an honor to work with them."
{ SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun }
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BWW Review: MESSI10 at ABHA Arena, Qatar
{Jan.16.2020}
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Alchemy Project Entertainment in a presentation by Qatar National
Tourism Council, premieres Messi10, the latest creation of renowned
Cirque du Soleil inspired by Leo Messi, the international legendary
sports icon in a breathtaking and groundbreaking tale of exciting
world-class entertainment unlike anything ever seen before. The most-
awaited production, written and directed by choreographer Mukhtar O.S.
Mukhtar, will open at ABHA Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Arena in Doha,
Qatar that will be home for the show for 14 performances during
February 27th up to March 7th , presented by Qatar National Tourism
Council, Sponsored by Rakuten, La Liga, Qatar Airways, Qatar's Supreme
Committee, Oredoo and Galleries Lafayette supported by PopArt, Messi &
Sony Music.
This new super production is the first time Cirque du Soleil explores
the world of sports by celebrating the magic and values behind the
greatest footballer of our time.
In a stunning display of 47 Artist from 19 different countries
(Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China,
Ethiopia, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Spain, Russia, Switzerland,
Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States) leads the
audience on a euphoric 90 minute a thrill ride that brings together
the electric atmosphere of stadiums and the intimacy of theatre. "When
I was first approached, it seemed both crazy and incredible that
Cirque du Soleil would create a show based on my passion for football.
Cirque du Soleil is a family favorite of ours and we have enjoyed many
of its productions", said Leo Messi. "I loved the show and I was
deeply touched. It truly reflects what I feel every time I set foot on
the football field."
Messi10 by Cirque du Soleil combines classical circus acts such as
trampoline, trapeze and tightrope artists with never-before-seen
disciplines, audiovisual material and videos highlighting Messi's best
plays, as well as exclusive images especially produced for the show.
"Interpreting the greatness of Lionel Messi in a live show was a
thrilling challenge for Cirque du Soleil, and we couldn't be more
proud of this premiere", explained Jonathan Tétrault, President of
Cirque du Soleil. "Together with PopArt Music and Sony Music Latin
America, we have created a stunning show that will raise the audience
from their seats and inspire them to reach the impossible."
"What a couple of years ago seemed absolutely crazy is now finally
happening. We are really excited about this new show we have co-
created with Cirque du Soleil and Leo Messi. The audience will be
dazzled by this breathtaking production that artistically translates
the unparalleled talent that Leo displays in each match", said Sergio
Lavié, Co-founder at PopArt Music. Messi10 by Cirque du Soleil comes
to Doha, as its first global premiere of the show in 2020, after the
premiere of the show in Barcelona in 2019.
Rashed AlQurese, Chief Marketing Officer at QNTC, commented, "We look
forward to welcoming audiences from Qatar and the region to this
exclusive performance of Messi 10 in the Middle East and Asia. Hosting
and supporting unique entertainment productions is a key part of our
efforts to enrich Qatar's calendar of rich and exhilarating events;
this performance, which brings together football and breath-taking
acrobatics is bound to delight and inspire."
"This is the moment where we see the change of the entertainment
industry from conventional ways to new groundbreaking ideas, this time
revolved around a sporting living legend. A Legendary figure, with a
highly motivational and appealing storyline, delivered in an
extraordinary production setting, with breathtaking set design,
promises an unforgettable experience for the Audience. The Audience
shall expect a show like never seen before and we are very proud and
delighted to be part of this project", said Mac.s.Far CEO of Alchemy
Project.
The show's rousing soundtrack combines original music by Cirque du
Soleil, original songs composed by Pinto Wahin and remastered versions
from different artists, delivered by Sony Music. "Along with Cirque du
Soleil and PopArt, we're thrilled and honored to have collaborated on
creating the soundtrack to this thrilling spectacle, and we thank Leo
Messi for the opportunity to share his spectacular journey with the
world," added Afo Verde, Chairman and CEO Sony Music Latin Iberia.
{ SOURCE: Broadway World }
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Cirque cancels shows in China over Coronavirus
{Jan.24.2020}
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Chinese officials have requested the temporary closing of all indoor
activities with 100 or more people to stem the coronavirus outbreak.
In the interest of safety for its audience members and employees,
Cirque du Soleil will thus be cancelling all performances of "Cirque
du Soleil The Land of Fantasy" in Hangzhou until further notice.
"Right now, we all have the responsibility to step up, and to do
preventive activities. We are going to keep leading in this effort by
putting people's health and safety as our top priority", says Daniel
Lamarre, President and CEO, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.
"We're going to continue to make sure that our partner Hangzhou
Xintiandi Group who is managing the show, will put in place
appropriate measures to further protect our audience members against
the spread of the virus."
Cirque du Soleil and his partner Hangzhou Xintiandi Group has been
working closely with Chinese officials, the Canadian Embassy and the
Quebec Government Office in Shanghai. Cirque du Soleil is closely
monitoring the situation through their Global Assistance Program
provider.
Although due to circumstances beyond its control, Cirque du Soleil
apologizes for any inconvenience this closing may cause. The
organization will continue to monitor the situation and communicate
additional information to customers as needed.
{ SOURCE: PR Newsire }
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Seven artists sit out MJ ONE after returning from China
{Jan.25.2020}
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Seven performers are sitting out of Michael Jackson ONE to ensure they
were not showing symptoms of the coronavirus. Below is the full
statement from Cirque du Soleil:
In the interest of safety, Cirque du Soleil executives made a decision
to have seven Chinese artists from the Michael Jackson ONE show sit
out of the show for three days (Thursday January 23 through Saturday
January 25) to ensure they were not showing symptoms of the
coronavirus.
The Chinese artists had just returned to Las Vegas after traveling
home to China. None of the seven artists were near the Chinese city of
Wuhan during their time in China.
The precautionary decision was made in consultation with the Michael
Jackson ONE medical team and the seven affected artists and was
supported by the entire cast and crew of the show.
All seven artists are scheduled to rejoin the cast of Michael Jackson
ONE on Sunday, January 26.
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil }
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Bus.com is Cirque's Official Coach Bus Transport
{Jan.28.2020}
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Having announced their largest and most prestigious partnership to
date, the company is poised for continued growth.
Through this partnership the two companies will strengthen their
logistics relationship to support the complex travel needs of the
Cirque du Soleil touring shows casts and crews across Canada and the
United States. Both teams will work together on touring needs for Big
Top and arena shows, in more than 100 cities across this vast
territory.
The relationship between Cirque du Soleil and Bus.com began in 2019,
when Bus.com was tasked with handling logistics for two shows in San
Jose and San Diego. "From the start of our relationship, Bus.com has
helped alleviate one of the more important logistical challenges we
experience as a touring show finding reliable transportation to
deliver our cast and crew to the shows across major markets in North
America. Their dedication and commitment to build a true business
relationship made them the perfect partner", says Stephanie Gaudette,
General Manager, Touring Shows at Cirque du Soleil.
Over the past 4 years, Bus.com has emerged as the go-to partner for
large properties and events seeking to leverage eco-friendly means of
moving large groups of people.
"Consolidating the industry was always our focus, providing
organizations across sport, education, convention, faith and tour
operators one point of contact for all of their transportation needs
regardless of region or bus type" says Ash Molaei, VP Partnerships.
"With this partnership, Bus.com is proud to align with one of the
largest producer of live events in the world."
Bus.com's unique mix of technology and logistical expertise enables
the company to act as a single point of contact for Cirque du Soleil
across their touring shows in Canada and the United States. This has
proven to be a key strength and catalyst for the relationship moving
into 2020.
{ SOURCE: PRNewswire }
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Cirque keeping in contact with employees stuck in China
{Jan.30.2020}
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Cirque du Soleil says it's keeping a close eye on the employees who
are stuck in the quarantine zone in China, where measures to prevent
the spread of coronavirus have resulted in highway closures and
cancelled flights.
Daniel Lamarre, executive director of Cirque du Soleil, said that of
the 48 employees affected by Chinese containment measures, eight are
Canadian citizens.
There are people from 11 different countries involved with the circus
show.
While Canada has announced a plan to return Canadians home on a
charter plane, Lamarre said he hasn't heard of any similar plans from
the other countries whose citizens he employs.
Canada prepares charter flight to bring home Canadians in China
affected by coronavirus outbreak. "We are in constant contact with the
teams, the consulates and the doctors," Lamarre said. "It's not
something we take lightly."
A team based in Montreal is responsible for this communication with
the artists and technicians who are stranded.
Cirque du Soleil's show X: The Land of Fantasy is set up in Hangzhou,
in the east of China, but they've had to cancel shows following the
outbreak since no large public gatherings are allowed in the
quarantine zone.
Lamarre said all measures are being taken to protect the troupe's
employees in China.
As of Thursday morning, the coronavirus has caused almost 200 deaths
and affected around 7,000 people worldwide.
{ SOURCE: CBC News }
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Cirque 2020 is "Under the Same Sky"!
{Jan.30.2020}
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In Cirque du Soleil UNDER THE SAME SKY, the audience will be touched
by uplifting acrobatic choreography, startling physical theatre and
moved by the vibrant musical score, all infused with the warmth of
human interconnection. This new big top experience invokes the power
of the human performance and communal experience which remain at the
heart of all Cirque du Soleil creations. It is a meeting of visual art
and human performance, a hymn to the vibrant communal experience that
only a live show can offer. Cirque du Soleil invites fans to meet
under the big top to share the experience of this new surprising and
joyful live gathering.
While staying true to its roots in astonishing human performances,
Cirque du Soleil's 51st original production and 20th Big Top show will
bring a bold new visual approach to the Big Top. Vice President of
Creation, Daniel Fortin, explains, "In working with iconic visual
artist Es Devlin to lead this new creation, we are committed to making
a strong and absolutely distinctive creative statement in 2020. This
show marks not only the start of a new decade, but also an exciting
new era for Cirque."
Through Devlin's exceptional creative lens, high-level acrobatics will
be woven within a striking and disruptive visual universe. Spectators
will be touched by uplifting choreography and startling physical
theatre, and moved by the vibrant musical score, all infused with the
warmth of human interconnection. The show's visionary approach will
wow fans with monumental kinetic geometry glowing with vibrant color
and light, bringing Cirque du Soleil on an exciting visual journey.
"Our intention for this show is to surprise the audience with
something that is bold, daring and visually exciting, a fresh creative
take on what we are." says Creation Director Chantal Tremblay.
Writer, Director and Set Designer, Es Devlin explains further: "At the
roots of Cirque are exceptionally skilled humans performing at the
limits of what is humanly possible. There are no words, no text. But
the strongest story is understood: 2000 people all willing someone not
to fall. It's a potent communal experience, a travelling tent full of
2000 strangers, all realizing at once that when it comes down to
falling or flying, we all want the same thing."
Cirque du Soleil invites fans to meet under the big top in 2020 to
share the experience of this new, surprising and joyful live
gathering, a hymn to the vibrant communal experience that only a live
show can offer.
WHO IS ES DEVLIN?
-----------------
Renowned visual artist Es Devlin lives and works in London. Her
multidisciplinary practice spans solo sculptural exhibitions in London
and Miami, avant-garde theatre in New York, experimental opera in
Vienna, iconic stadium pop shows and Olympic Ceremonies in London and
Rio. Devlin's practice originated in small scale theatres in London,
progressed through The Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Opera House,
and onto global opera houses, the Metropolitan Opera, New York and La
Scala, Milan. She has conceived large-scale touring shows with
Beyoncé, U2, Adele, The Weeknd and Kanye West as well as
collaborations with the theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli and the
actor Benedict Cumberbatch. Her practice was the subject of the
Netflix documentary series Abstract: the Art of Design. Amongst her
many current projects, Devlin is designing the UK Pavilion at World
EXPO 2020.
WHO IS PART OF THE CREATIVE TEAM?
---------------------------------
o) Yasmine Khalil Executive Producer
o) Dan Fortin Vice President, Creation
o) Gabriel Pinkstone Producer
o) Es Devlin Writer, Director and Set Designer
o) Chantal Tremblay Creation Director
o) Lucie Janvier Production Director
o) Nicolas Vaudelet Costume Designer
o) Jade Pybus Composer
o) Andy Theakstone Composer
o) Daniel Cola Human Performance Designer
o) Jaque Paquin Acrobatic Equipment Designer
o) Lynne Page Choreographer and Collaborating Director
o) John Clark Lightning Designer
o) Jacques Boucher Sound Designer
o) Jérôme Delapierre Projection Designer
CREATIVE TEAM SKETCHBOOK
http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=13467
A CREATIVE SNEAK PEEK
http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=13467
Tickets are on sale now!
o) Montreal, QC April 23, 2020 June 21, 2020
o) Boston, MA August 29, 2020 September 27, 2020
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/under-the-same-sky
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil }
----------------------------------------------------------
Possible Cirque du Soleil event in Provincetown cancelled
{Feb.05.2020}
----------------------------------------------------------
A possible Cirque du Soleil summer-long show, which drew protests this
week from more than 70 entertainers, has been cancelled as of
Wednesday, according to an email from 66DAYS LLC owner Eric Martin,
the potential sponsor of the event.
While an actual Cirque du Soleil event was never publicly confirmed,
such as during initial regulatory meetings with the town Recreation
Commission to obtain use of a recreation field known as Motta Field,
Martin confirmed specifically in an email Wednesday that no Cirque du
Soleil event is planned.
"I would like to inform everyone that myself and company, 66DaysLLC,
have been in discussions with Cirque du Soleil Events + Experiences
for a potential collaboration during the Provincetown 400
celebrations," Martin wrote in the email. Cirque du Soleil is an
international entertainment company that has roots in circus arts.
"After an initial feasibility study, it was decided not to pursue
those initial discussions," Martin said. "It was a mutual and amicable
decision. I would like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable 400th."
A Cirque du Soleil official also confirmed that, after a feasibility
study for the project, the company decided not to back a show in
Provincetown. That decision was made before the plan raised
controversy in town this week, according to Sophie Desbiens, public
relations manager for Le Groupe Cirque du Soleil.
Martin obtained approval from the Recreation Commission on Jan. 23 for
the custody and care of Motta Field and use of public land and
facilities, according to a town-issued list of 12 regulatory hurdles
the company would have faced to gain approval for the undisclosed
event. Agendas for the Recreation Commission meetings have listed
"66Days LLC event at Motta Field" or similar wording, with no mention
of Cirque du Soleil.
On Tuesday, emails to Martin and his 66daysllc.com website which
announced "Coming Soon! CirqueProvincetown2020" had gone unanswered.
On Wednesday, the website only said "under construction."
More than 70 members of the town's entertainment community sent a
letter of complaint to the Select Board on Monday, objecting to
possible plans for a summer-long Cirque du Soleil show that they said
could "wreak financial havoc" on smaller businesses.
"It feels like a huge slap in the face that the town we have given so
much to would move forward with Cirque du Soleil without considering
the financial ramifications for all of us," the letter said.
The board of the Provincetown Business Guild also sent a letter to the
Select Board on Monday in support of the entertainers' concerns and
called for public hearings so "all voices are heard, and all
sentiments are expressed" before town boards make final decisions.
Several abutters to Motta Field and business owners expressed their
concerns Tuesday night to the town Recreation Commission, at a
regularly scheduled meeting, about possible plans for a summer-long
Cirque du Soleil show.
The Pilgrim House owner Kenneth Horgan said he was standing up to
speak on behalf of the artists.
"My business will be fine either way," Horgan said. "We will survive
but the people that won't are those talented performers who come to
town, spend all of their life saving up money to have an opportunity
in Provincetown, walk up and down Commercial Street barking to sell
three more tickets to the show so it's not canceled, so they can get
payment, so they can pay their rent and come back the next year with
another show."
The typical town notices for use of the field appeared to be missing,
abutters said at the meeting.
"Every time they do anything at the field, we get tons of certified
letters," Motta Field abutter Cheryldine Martinez said. "I don't
understand why we haven't heard anything about it."
After several abutters said they had not been notified by 66Days LLC
about the event, Recreation Commission chairman David Oliver expressed
surprise.
"We have a lot of new concerns that we weren't aware of as far as the
transparency," Oliver said. "We were under the impression that you all
were talked to, but you weren't."
The Recreation Commission took no votes Tuesday night.
{ SOURCE: Provincetown Local }
***************************************************************
Q&A -- Quick Chats & Press Interviews
***************************************************************
----------------------------------------------------------
'LOVE' Cast Reveal How The Beatles' Music Affects Them
{Jan.17.2020}
----------------------------------------------------------
Highly acclaimed since it made its stage debut in 2006, LOVE is a
theatrical production by Cirque du Soleil which combines the re-
produced and re-imagined music of The Beatles with an interpretive,
circus-based artistic and athletic stage performance.
A joint venture between Cirque du Soleil and The Beatles' Apple Corps
Ltd, the three-time Grammy Award winning LOVE is described as "a Rock
n' Roll poem", inspired by the poetry of the Beatles' lyrics and
brought to life by a cast of world-class aerialists, acrobats and
dancers. Music Director Giles Martin, son of the legendary Beatles
producer, Sir George Martin, has heightened LOVE's listening
experience with a completely remixed soundtrack, noting "The show is
the closest anyone can get to being in the studio with the band."
The show plays at a specially built theatre at the Mirage in Las Vegas
and uDiscover Music caught up with two Cirque du Soleil members, actor
Uys De Buisson and acrobat Sophia Singleton, to discuss how The
Beatles' music connects with the LOVE cast. You can watch it in full
below, but to whet your appetite, scroll down to read a few choice
extracts.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
https://youtu.be/-Qq1nA7FJI8
Q. How did you first get to hear The Beatles?
Sophia: "It's quite personal for me, as I grew up in Liverpool. I used
to live very close to Penny Lane and I remember asking my Mum why
people took pictures of the street sign when we drove past. She
explained it to me when I was still very young and I've grown up
around the culture of tourism and The Beatles in Liverpool. It's
really cool."
Uys: "I grew up in South Africa, so I wasn't so exposed to The
Beatles' music early on. My first memory of The Beatles is my best
friend's dad playing their music in the car and listening to it. Also,
we sang Od-La-Di' in a singing class at school, though I didn't know
it was a Beatles song until much later."
Q. What's your favourite part of the LOVE stage show?
Sophia: "The opening of the show is the best opening of any show. I'm
biased, I know, but it's amazing. It's kind of an eerie start, but
then we go straight into Get Back' and the stage just erupts. The
quality of the music and the excitement that's palpable around the
theatre
that's my favourite bit!"
Q. What surprises people most about LOVE?
Uys: "I think it's that the show is visually so rich and crazy. People
often refer to LOVE specifically as "a rock poem", because it is
really is very poetic. Also, there is a character called Father
McKenzie, and there's an Eleanor Rigby and a Dr. Robert, but there
isn't a John, Paul, George or Ringo. It really is about the world The
Beatles created with their music."
Q. Have you ever met Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr?
Sophia: "I first joined the cast about three years ago, when it was
upgraded and refreshed and Ringo and Paul both came to the premiere of
that new show, but I wasn't able to speak to them that much. Paul
tries to come back at least once a year, though, so I was able to
introduce myself and tell him I was from Liverpool. He was really into
my story and how I got here.
"It was so cool to have such a connection with Paul. For him to keep
coming back to the shows and to tell us he feels proud makes all our
hard work feel worthwhile. In Cirque du Soleil, we feel we're here to
continue The Beatles' legacy and it's special to hear that Paul and
Ringo appreciate it."
{ SOURCE: U Discover Music }
----------------------------------------------------------
HULU Streams Cirque Series That Became Reality for
Local Culver City, CA Teen
{Feb.06.2020}
----------------------------------------------------------
Culver City native Ellowyn Stanton now lives the life of the character
she portrayed in the highly rated, original children's live-action
scripted series Big Top Academy (BTA), produced by Cirque du Soleil
Images, Discovery Kids, and Apartment 11 Productions. Ellowyn was the
ONLY American cast in the series. Set in a circus arts boarding
school, Big Top Academy tells the story of an extraordinary group of
young acrobats who dream of becoming professional circus artists. It's
the first ever live-action series that brings Cirque du Soleil's
exciting and colorful circus universe to kids.
At age 13, Stanton moved to Montréal, Québec, Canada to shoot BTA
playing the principal role of tomboy, skate rat Phoenix who is
accepted into a circus arts boarding school. Upon completing the 52-
episode shoot, life began to imitate art as Stanton, now 15,
auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious École Nationale
de Cirque (The National Circus School) in Montréal, known as the
Harvard of Circus schools. Like her character Phoenix, Stanton now
lives in a real circus boarding school where aspiring artists from all
over the world come to train.
Stanton was born and raised in Culver City where she attended El
Marino Language School and Culver City Middle School. At 5 years old,
she began her athletic career at Broadway Gymnastic School. At 10,
desiring to be more creative with her fearless, acrobatic talents, she
transitioned to the world of cirque by joining the internationally
recognized and multi award-winning Le PeTiT CiRqUe®, at Le Studio
based in Inglewood, CA where gifted youths train and perform
innovative and inspirational, humanitarian-based shows
internationally. Le PeTiT CiRqUe is a junior version of Cirque du
Soleil and have performed globally including the Nobel Peace Prize
Concert, The Dalai Lama and royalty.
Stanton's aspirations are to one day travel the world and perform with
Cirque du Soleil as well as perform stunts and act for TV/Film.
Stanton performed all of her circus stunts in BTA, and she's thrilled
her family and friends in the United States can finally watch the
unique cirque series.
{ SOURCE: Culver City Observer }
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
{Alegria, Amaluna, Bazzar, Koozå, Kurios, Luzia, Totem,
Volta, and Cirque 2020}
o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues
{OVO, Crystal, Corteo, AXEL, Messi10, 'Twas The Night Before}
o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre
{Mystère, "O", Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, MJ ONE, JOYA,
Paramour, X: The Land of Fantasy, and R.U.N}
NOTE:
.) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate
touring dates and locations available, the information in
this section is subject to change without notice. As such,
the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility
for the accuracy of these listings.
For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts,
please visit Cirque's website: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ >,
or for a more comprehensive tour listing, visit our Itinéraire
section online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=6898 >.
------------------------------------
BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
------------------------------------
Alegría-In a New Light:
Miami, FL -- Dec 13, 2020 to Feb 17 2020
Houston, TX -- Feb 29, 2020 to Apr 12, 2020
Austin, TX -- Apr 22, 2020 to May 25, 2020
Chicago, IL -- Jun 5, 2020 to Jun 28, 2020
Washington, DC -- Jul 23, 2020 to Aug 30, 2020
Vancouver, BC -- TBA
Amaluna:
Sacramento, CA -- Jan 22, 2020 to Mar 1, 2020
Bazzar:
Punta Cana, DO -- Jan 29, 2020 to Feb 23, 2020
New Orleans, LA -- Mar 26, 2020 to May 10, 2020
Salt Lake City, UT -- May 24 to Jul 5, 2020
Koozå:
Seville, ES -- Jan 15, 2020 to Mar 8, 2020
Lyon, FR Mar 20, 2020 to Apr 26, 2020
Tel Aviv, IL -- Jun 4, 2020 to Jun 30, 2020
Zurich, CH -- Sep 4, 2020 to Sep 27, 2020
Kurios:
Brisbane, AU -- Jan 10, 2020 to Feb 23, 2020
Melbourne, AU -- Mar 12, 2020 to Apr 26, 2020
Adelaide, AU -- May 29, 2020 to Jun 7, 2020
Perth, AU -- Jul 15, 2020 to Aug 2, 2020
Luzia:
London, UK -- Jan 12, 2020 to Mar 1, 2020
Moscow, RU -- Mar 19, 2020 to May 17, 2020
Gran Canaria, ES -- Jul 7, 2020 to Aug 23, 2020
Valencia, ES -- Sep 11, 2020 to Sep 27, 2020
Totem:
Munich, DE -- Feb 12, 2020 to Mar 22, 2020
Rome, IT -- Apr 1, 2020 to Apr 19, 2020
Milan, IT -- May 21, 2020 to Jun 21, 2020
Prague, CZ -- Jul 17, 2020 to Aug 2, 2020
Under the Same Sky:
Montreal, QC -- Apr 23, 2020 to Jun 21, 2020
Boston, MA -- Aug 29, 2020 to Sep 27, 2020
VOLTA:
Los Angeles, CA -- Jan 18, 2020 to Mar 8, 2020
Costa Mesa, CA -- Mar 18, 2020 - Apr 19, 2020
Denver, CO -- Apr 30, 2020 to Jun 7, 2020
Portland, OR -- Jun 18, 2020 to Aug 2, 2020
------------------------------------
ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues
------------------------------------
OVO:
Phoenix, AZ -- Feb 20, 2020 to Feb 23, 2020
Boise, ID -- Feb 27, 2020 to Mar 1, 2020
San Diego, CA -- Mar 5, 2020 to Mar 8, 2020
El Paso, TX -- Mar 12, 2020 to Mar 15, 2020
Edinburg, TX -- Mar 19, 2020 to Mar 22, 2020
Lafayette, LA -- Mar 25, 2020 to Mar 29, 2020
Greensboro, NC -- Apr 2, 2020 to Apr 5, 2020
Savannah, GA -- Apr 8, 2020 to Apr 12, 2020
Knoxville, TN -- Apr 15, 2020 to Apr 19, 2020
Frisco, TX -- Apr 23, 2020 to Apr 26, 2020
Fort Worth, TX -- Apr 30, 2020 to May 3, 2020
Bloomington, IL -- May 7, 2020 to May 10, 2020
Louisville, KY -- May 13, 2020 to May 17, 2020
CRYSTAL - A BREAKTHROUGH ICE EXPERIENCE:
Minsk, BY -- Feb 6, 2020 to Feb 9, 2020
Kiev, UA -- Feb 13, 2020 to Feb 16, 2020
Sheffield, UK -- Mar 6, 2020 to Mar 8, 2020
Glasgow, UK -- Mar 11, 2020 to Mar 15, 2020
Aberdeen, UK -- Mar 19, 2020 to Mar 22, 2020
Belfast, UK -- Mar 25, 2020 to Mar 29, 2020
Manchester, UK -- Apr 1, 2020 to Apr 5, 2020
Birmingham, UK -- Apr 8, 2020 to Apr 12, 2020
Nottingham, UK -- Apr 15, 2020 to Apr 19, 2020
Amhurst, MA -- May 15, 2020 to May 17, 2020
Trenton, NJ -- May 20, 2020 to May 23, 2020
St. Catharines, ON -- May 27, 2020 to May 31, 2020
Providence, RI -- Jun 3 to Jun 7, 2020
Hartford, CT -- Jun 10 to Jun 14, 2020
Bridgeport, CT -- Jun 17 to Jun 21, 2020
Cleveland, OH -- Jun 24 to Jun 28, 2020
Ottawa, ON -- Jul 2 to Jul 5, 2020
North Charleston, SC -- Jul 22 to Jul 26, 2020
Paris, FR -- Sep 1, 2020 to Sep 6, 2020
Lausanne, CH -- Sep 9, 2020 to Sep 13, 2020
Hanover, DE -- Sep 16, 2020 to Sep 20, 2020
Leipzig, DE -- Sep 23, 2020 to Sep 27, 2020
Stuttgart, DE -- Oct 7, 2020 to Oct 11, 2020
Nuremberg, DE -- Oct 14, 2020 to Oct 18, 2020
Munich, DE -- Oct 22, 2020 to Oct 25, 2020
Frankfurt, DE -- Nov 13, 2020 to Nov 21, 2020
Cologne, DE -- Nov 25, 2020 to Nov 29, 2020
Oberhausen, DE -- Dec 2, 2020 to Dec 6, 2020
CORTEO:
Santiago de Compostela, ES -- Feb 5, 2020 to Feb 9, 2020
Santander, ES -- Feb 12, 2020 to Feb 16, 2020
Bordeaux, FR -- Feb 21, 2020 to Feb 23, 2020
Antwerp, BE -- Mar 13, 2020 to Mar 22, 2020
Vienna, AT -- Mar 25, 2020 to Mar 29, 2020
Montpellier, FR -- Apr 2, 2020 to Apr 5, 2020
Aix-en-Provence, FR -- Apr 8, 2020 to Apr 12, 2020
Lille, FR -- Apr 16, 2020 to Apr 19, 2020
Copenhagen, DE -- Apr 23, 2020 to Apr 26, 2020
Herning, DE -- Apr 29, 2020 to May 3, 2020
Stockholm, SE -- May 7, 2020 to May 10, 2020
Gothenburg, SE -- May 13, 2020 to May 17, 2020
Leeds, UK -- Jun 18, 2020 to Jun 21, 2020
London, UK -- Jun 24, 2020 to Jul 5, 2020
Dublin, IR -- Jul 8, 2020 to Jul 12, 2020
Palma de Mallorca, ES -- Aug 7, 2020 to Aug 16, 2020
Nice, FR -- Aug 20, 2020 to Aug 22, 2020
Trondheim, NO -- Sep 18, 2020 to Sep 20, 2020
Oslo, NO -- Sep 25, 2020 to Sep 27, 2020
Helsinki, FI -- Oct 1, 2020 to Oct 4, 2020
Turku, FI -- Nov 18, 2020 to Nov 22, 2020
Vilnius, LT -- Nov 26, 2020 to Nov 29, 2020
Toulouse, FR -- Dec 17, 2020 to Dec 20, 2020
Pamplona, ES -- Dec 25, 2020 to Jan 3, 2021
AXEL:
Nashville, TN -- Feb 6, 2020 to Feb 9, 2020
Greeneville, SC -- Feb 13, 2020 to Feb 16, 2020
Bakersfield, CA -- Mar 12, 2020 to Mar 15, 2020
Prescott Valley, AZ -- Mar 19, 2020 to Mar 21, 2020
San Jose, CA -- Mar 24, 2020 to Mar 28, 2020
Las Vegas, NV -- Apr 3, 2020 to Apr 5, 2020
Everett, WA -- Apr 9, 2020 to Apr 12, 2020
Tucson, AZ -- Apr 17, 2020 to Apr 19, 2020
Rio Rancho, NM -- Apr 23, 2020 to Apr 26, 2020
Eugene, OR -- May 14, 2020 to May 17, 2020
Spokane, WA -- May 21, 2020 to May 24, 2020
Victoria, BC -- May 28, 2020 to May 31, 2020
Abbotsford, BC -- Jun 4, 2020 to Jun 7, 2020
Kelowna, BC -- Jun 11, 2020 to Jun 14, 2020
Kamloops, BC -- Jun 18, 2020 to Jun 21, 2020
Prince George, BC -- Jun 25, 2020 to Jun 28, 2020
Edmonton, AB -- Jul 2, 2020 to Jul 5, 2020
Saskatoon, SK -- Jul 9, 2020 to Jul 12, 2020
Lethbridge, AB -- Jul 16, 2020 to Jul 19, 2020
Regina, SK -- Jul 23, 2020 to Jul 26, 2020
Medicine Hat, AB -- Jul 30, 2020 to Aug 2, 2020
Raleigh, NC -- Aug 20, 2020 to Aug 23, 2020
Messi10:
Doha, QA -- Feb 27, 2020 to Mar 7, 2020
Buenos Aires, AR -- Jun 11, 2020 to Jul 5, 2020
---------------------------------
RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre
---------------------------------
Mystère:
Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday
Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm
2020 Dark Dates:
- January 5 thru 17, 2020
- February 2, 2020
- March 11, 2020
- May 14 thru 22. 2020
- July 22, 2020
- September 17 thru 25, 2020
- November 18, 2020
"O":
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: 7 Days a Week
Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 9:30pm
Zumanity:
Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark Wednesday/Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
KÀ:
Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark Thursday/Friday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
LOVE:
Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
MICHAEL JACKSON ONE:
Location: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Thursday through Monday - Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
JOYÀ:
Location: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
One/Two Shows Nightly:
9:00pm (Weekdays)
7:00pm & 10:15pm (Fri, Sat & Holidays)
PARAMOUR:
Location: Stage Theater New Flora | Hamburg, Germany
Performs: One/Two Shows Nightly...
X: THE LAND OF FANTASY
Location: Hangzhou, China
R.U.N:
Location: Luxor Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday - Dark: Monday/Tuesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
DRAWN TO LIFE (Disney 2020):
Location: Walt Disney World Resort (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday - Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 5:30pm and 8:30pm
NOTE: Preview Shows from March 20th through April 16th
perform only 1 day a week, at 5:30pm.
=======================================================================
OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE's SOCIAL WIDGETS
=======================================================================
o) ALEGRIA: A WIND OF CHANGE
Retelling the story of Alegría in a new light 10 years later.
Join Cirque du Soleil backstage and behind the scenes and find
out how this classic came to be.
- Episode 1: "The Story Behind the Remake"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgMs3j1jG9I
- Episode 2: "The Story Behind the Stage"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pj43TXHprU
- Episode 3: "The Story Behind the Music"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTzeUJWGWQY
- Episode 4: "The Story Behind the Costumes & Makeup"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NROglQ_p0bg
- Episode 5: "The Story Behind the Stage, Part 2" {Jan.12}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8HfrbVAcrQ
- Episode 6: "Scenes Backstage with Alegria Aritsts" {Feb.08}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqorZ7ggcPg
o) "O"NSTAGE 7 DAYS A WEEK
Did you know "O" by Cirque du Soleil is now 7 days a week?
There are 117 artists working on this iconic show! Cirque
du Soleil Casting shows us how this feat was accomplished
in their new mini-series.
- Episode 1: "Crafting the Current" {Jan.27}
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2593958074222999
- Episode 2: "Turning the Tides" {Jan.31}
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=212258866600542
- Episode 3: "Waves of Talent" {Feb..07}
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=196383621432709
o) OTHER VIDEOS
- The Making of MESSI10 Episode 2: PreGame
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=124080982262177
=======================================================================
FASCINATION! FEATURES
=======================================================================
o) "MESSI10: There's a 10 in Each of Us?"
Texts from the Press Kit
o) "Costumes at Cirque du Soleil The Challenging Work of
Preserving Circus Heritage" By: Katalin Lightner
Originally Published by CircusTalk
------------------------------------------------------------
"MESSI10: There's a 10 in Each of Us?"
Texts from the Press Kit
------------------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil has paid tribute to many iconic artists, but with
MESSI10, it's the first time in their history that they have honoured
one of the generation's most inspirational athletes, as the worlds of
football and circus collide in a show unlike any other. "More than
simply a show about Messi
this is a highly acrobatic and inspiring
story about greatness." Promising to be an explosive, fan-fuelled live
show, MESSI10 acrobatically uncovers the athleticism, devotion and
brilliance that bridges sports and circus, by celebrating the
exceptional talent and skills of the greatest footballer of our time,
Lionel Messi.
MESSI10 is an exploration of the greatness that's within all of us,
and an inspiration to be the very best one can be. This immersive
experience - where the stadium's electric atmosphere meets the
intimacy of atheatre - tells the story of a young man with boundless
ambition to overcome all obstacles in becoming the greatest number 10
in the world. Exploring all the elements of his success, the show
creates a universe where greatness is found in bouncing back to your
feet, no matter how many times you are brought down on your way to
achieving the impossible.
So let's dive in, shall we?
SET & STAGE
-----------
In this show, a unique environment was created so that fans would
undoubtedly associate with going to see a game of football, but in a
very special Cirque du Soleil way; where the stadium's electric
atmosphere meets the intimacy of a theatre. The space was designed so
that, after entering the stadium through the two tunnels, the audience
has an unobstructed 360 degree view, especially of their rival fans in
the opposite stands.
Spectators will recognize iconic football features like the lines of
the pitch, the center circle and full-sized goals, yet abstract and
not as they have seen them ever before. In addition to what fans might
expect at a game, the design incorporates surprise features, such as
trapdoors, a mechanical arm and two huge video screens, just to
mention a few of the surprises in the set. At eight feet tall and
thirty-six feet long, the mammoth LED screens will not only feature
archive footage of Messi's greatest moments, but also unique exclusive
footage captured of the great man himself, recorded especially to
enrich several significant moments of the show.
Fans will experience a theatre with a lot of color and striking,
architectural lighting that cast a dramatic mood over a unique stage,
custom-created for the show's nontraditional acrobats and artists. It
is the perfect environment to witness the fundamental physical and
mental principles of the world's most loved game, expressed in the
most extreme and exceptional way, as only Cirque du Soleil can.
COSTUMES & CHARACTERS
---------------------
The design concept of the costumes for MESSI10 was influenced by the
world of football and the artistic vision of Costume designer James
Lavoie. The inspiration was to create a universe that can be familiar
and exciting for two different audiences the football fans and the
circus fans.
There are colors, patterns and gradients borrowed from the world of
football to help reflect the energy and attitude of the sport, but
this is a Cirque du Soleil show; a parallel world where the designs
are bigger, bolder and where usual boundaries don't apply. For every
costume that looks "fashionable" with cues from street wear and
athletic wear, there's another that explores the limits of this
universe, like the grass suits worn by The Commentators or The
Streaker who is not wearing a great amount of costume at all.
While the costumes were custom created for specific characters, time
was spent with each artist watching their act, talking to them and
feeling their energy in order to know what would work for them.
Alongside the one-off characters, there are group performances for
which costumes have been created to work with many different body
types. Each costume has its own textile process, it is printed, dyed,
silk screened and laser cut. There are up to 10 custom processes for
an individual fabric and many different fabrics in each costume.
Beyond the technical considerations, the costumes were designed to
bring out the passion that the artists and acrobats have for the
circus and for football while inspiring that same passion for life
among the audience. The show is about pushing yourself to the
extremes, about being the best one can be and exploring the greatness
that's within.
Here's a number of characters you'll see throughout MESSI10:
o) THE NUMBER 10s -- There's a number 10 inside us all. The show's
most iconic character is, in fact, not one single character, but
portrayed by ten exceptional artists and athletes with a set of
unique talents and strengths, that embody the message behind each
skill represented in the show. In a way, they must all be cohesive
and dynamic whilst speaking to 10 unique visual themes. For
example, one of the artists wears an LED number 10 beneath a
beautiful translucent material that creates an aura and glow around
their character.
o) THE YOUNG MAN -- The young man is the first character we see in the
show. He represents anyone with a dream of greatness and the
ambition to achieve their dreams. As the show's 1st number ten, his
passion, sacrifice and determination set the scene as this energy
travels throughout the show, and he too explores all the elements
needed to realize the dream of becoming the perfect number 10.
o) THE SAVIOR -- An intriguing individual, this character appears at
significant moments throughout the show, carrying the weight and
pressure of the world on his shoulders, in the form of an ever
increasing net tower of balls. He is a physical representation of
the responsibility of balancing the demands of life, family,
training and all the support and discipline one needs to become the
perfect number 10. Finally, in the sections dedicated to fans and
family, through the support he receives, he is able to unload the
tower of balls and fly to his full potential.
o) THE REFEREE -- In a regular game, the referee is responsible for
keeping the peace and bringing law and order, but this referee
loves to be the center of attention. While it's mostly his
diabolical decisions and inability to maintain law and order that's
drawing people's attention, the fluorescent accents on his uniform
aren't going to help him hide from the spotlight of the glaring
crowd. By far his most important accessories are his red and yellow
cards, which at times he waves with wild abandon for comedic value.
A huge fan of football and dreaming of being the perfect referee,
his role is to not only try and reinstate order amongst the chaos
of what is happening on stage, but to interact with the crowd and
encourage them to participate in this incredible journey.
o) THE COMMENTATORS -- Commentators are renowned for living and
breathing the beautiful game through words. These pitch-side
experts take their role to the extreme with their tailored "turf"
suits and microphone headsets. They've commentated many a
performance, but none that will trigger their passionate vocabulary
quite like what they witness on this stage.
o) THE STREAKER -- There's always that one guy, the distractor of
attention, showing up to steal the limelight when you least expect
it. He's cheeky, in more ways than one, and, as on TV, the crowd
never quite knows when the streaker going to make a run for it, but
they do know that they're glad there's some well-placed real-time
pixels to protect his modesty.
MUSIC
-----
Many months were spent scouring through the musical catalogue of show
partner Sony, looking for tracks that would bring the content to life,
express the message of each act and complement the original tracks
that were composed especially for the show. Featuring tracks from
artists from world renowned artists, the musical range of this show
eclectic. Some versions of the existing songs have been reworked by
Sony the original lyrics intact, but in a style unique to the show!
One very important piece in the musical puzzle, is Messi's very good
friend and former Barcelona goalkeeper Pinto, who is a DJ and Sony
music producer. He has created two tracks for the show, composing
music for Gaming and for Vision. To complement the choice of existing
music while extending the show's unique musical identity, the highly
talented Hugo Montecristo has composed and arranged all of the
original music for the show. He has also led the arrangements of the
existing tracks, integrating all of the musical elements of the show
into one incredible soundtrack.
THE EXPERIENCE
--------------
Every aspect of the show is inspired by football and so, the show is
divided into two parts, with a half-time intermission. The first half
of the show is focused on the aspirations, hard work, discipline and
qualities that are needed to build the skills that might one day put
someone in contention for a place among the greats. Following the
half-time break, the second half focuses on the rewards of hard work
and success, including the vital role of fans and family on this
journey, and the celebration that can follow when you are devoted and
dedicated entirely to your true passion.
o) PRE GAME -- Before the show, like in all the world's biggest
sporting events, the buzz of the pre game reaches a sensory high.
Guided by the referee, the audience starts to meet some of the
diverse characters of the show and participates in the pre-game
chanting, connecting with some of the artists before the main game
begins.
o) CELEBRATION OF THE GOAL (Opening) -- The journey begins with the
young man standing in the middle of the stage, a radio to his ear,
listening to the commentator's passionate voice speaking faster and
faster, with ever increasing excitement. Then, finally we hear
it
. GOOAAALLLLLL!!!! The action onstage explodes into a
celebration of the euphoria of the goal. Artists arrive from all
sides of the stage, manipulating footballs and waving their flags
high, while others are flying through the air from bungees and air
mats. The scene transports spectators into another world where they
can visually and physically feel the passion, the frenzy and the
euphoria of a goal.
o) ROPE (Training) -- The show's focus shifts from a celebration to a
- breathtakingly honest tribute to the hard work and the
relentless, daily training drills that go into becoming the perfect
10. Integrated at the very core of this sequence is a thrilling
rope act, where this traditional circus element has been taken over
by a highly dynamic trio, each with their very own abilities and
strengths. There is no time to breathe or to take a break as they
move with synergy to a high-speed piece of music that expresses the
energy it takes to go through the kind of intense training that
Messi experiences every day.
o) ICARIAN GAMES & FOOTBALL FREESTYLERS (Dribbling Symphon) -- In this
next sequence, fans are introduced to the first of the videos
featuring Messi, recorded especially for this show. Messi dribbles
his way into a concrete tunnel, while the stage slowly transforms
itself into the intimate and playful atmosphere of a locker room
that people rarely get to see. Here begins a friendly competition
between 3 football freestylers and two pairs of Icarian performers
who take footwork to the extreme, with both footballs and humans
alike.
o) ACRO-DANCE (Speed) -- Throughout a spectacular acro-dance group
performance, this high energy non-stop act jumps from live action
and to video and lighting-driven performance. An exploration of
sport, performance and art, in an attempt to analyze and understand
exactly how he can be so fast, with and without the ball at his
feet.
o) FREE FALL (Courage) -- It takes nerves of steel to step up and take
a penalty or free-kick when thousands in the stadium and millions
around the world are watching, waiting for you to put the ball in
the net. In this act, the building tension of a penalty goal is
dramatized by an artist climbing a rope ladder towards the skies,
higher and higher as the pressure rises. All the while, we see on
our huge screens the tension building in the face of Messi. This
all leads up to two possible conclusions, the high-flying ecstasy
of a goal or the crushing disappointment of a miss.
o) SLACK WIRE (Balance) -- Messi's perfect balance takes him gliding
between defenders and avoiding their desperate challenges, leaving
many opponents wondering how he does what he does. His balance is
perfect, and for the show the number 10 is literally walking a
wire! She pushes herself to higher and higher skill demands, whilst
all the time keeping her focus on attaining the ball that's
suspended high in the air above her, despite the distraction of the
commentators watching on from the sidelines.
o) CONTORTION (Unbalance) -- Unlike Messi's exceptional ability to
balance his skills, discipline and good sportsmanship on the field,
there are players who are prone to taking a dive on the turf and
feigning injury! This moment pokes fun at these absurd moments with
the arrival of the calamitous medical team. Along with being
dropped and damaged, the artist shows off his incredible talent by
being contorted in unbelievable ways that will leave the public
flabbergasted and the diver wishing he'd stayed on his feet.
o) BANQUINE (Strength) -- When Messi was young, one person in
particular made sure he never doubted his potential or gave up on
his dream. Now, with every goal that he celebrates, Messi points to
the sky in memory of his grandmother, and now to both his
grandparents, who told him, "Never give up, one day you will be one
of the greatest football players that ever lived". The strength
that these words gave him are translated in this stunning banquine
group number, where 8 strong defenders use all their power to repel
the 4 attackers. The 4 flyers are continuously swept away as they
relentlessly try to get the ball in the goal. Despite the
challenges and people blocking their way, they too keep trying over
and over again, determined never to give up!
INTERMISSION Half Time
o) TRAMPONET (Confidence) -- This act takes spectators back to where
it all began with street football in the barrios of Argentina, here
the game is improvised and the rules are re-invented. It's a place
where skills are honed hour after hour and natural ability is the
very least that a player will need to thrive. This performance sees
the boundaries of the pitch and the rules of the game pushed to
their limits. Athletes are launched from the nets and trampoline
across the field, all in an attempt to gain a point and win the
game for their team and the audience who are on their side!
o) DIABOLO (Heart of the Ball) -- In the end, the game of football -
on the street, on the stage or on the screen - comes down to
passion for the game, and the heart of the football. Inside this
act, the number 10 finds the diabolo, hidden inside the object of
his passion, the ball. An incredible performance by the world's top
diabolo artist takes viewers to a world where the focus of his
perfection flies and jumps in incredible and unbelievable
directions. During his impassioned performance, he is joined
onstage by his friends as they prepare for their next adventure,
gaming.
o) ROBO-POLE (Gaming) -- Many of Messi's younger fans discovered him
outside of the televised matches and away from the real-life field
of play. This act is a celebration of those who discovered him
through the world of gaming and a demonstration of what can happen
when man meets machine. In the middle of this act - and featured
for the first time ever in a Cirque du Soleil show - is a
customized six-axis industrial robotic arm. She takes center-stage
among her human counterparts, as she is accompanied by our next
number 10, an artist of incredible prowess in this altered world of
gaming reality.
o) AERIAL TRAPEZE (Fans & Family) -- Football would not be quite what
it is without the passion of the fans, and the love between Messi
and his supporters is unparalleled. The first part of this number
is a very poetic dedication to the fans of the sport, culminating
in the passing of huge football jerseys over each side of the
audience, bringing everyone together. The act that follows speaks
to the great personal commitment made by Messi and his family, that
helped him on his journey to success. A beautiful trapeze number is
made even more special by the group of aerial net artists
supporting him throughout his performance, demonstrating the
incredible strength and support that exists mutually between Leo,
his fans and his family.
o) LION DANCE (Vision) -- Messi is renowned for being able to spot a
path to goal or see a defense-splitting pass that no one else on
the field can see. As an introduction to this act, one of the
exclusive video moments with Messi show a chance encounter between
man and beast, leading viewers on a heart-pulsating onscreen chase
into the world of perfect Vision. Drawing a connection between the
powers of Leo the footballer and Leo the lion, this performance
sees a traditional Chinese act of lion pillars transformed into a
tribute to the incredible vision of Messi, as pairs of artists leap
forwards and backwards, at times completely without sight on
pillars eight feet from the ground.
o) RUSSIAN SWING (Goal Celebration)-- Goals, Goals, Goals! With over
600 career goals to his name, what better way to close the show
than with a tribute to some of Messi's greatest goals! This final
act sees a massive set change, with four nets across the audience
and acrobats joining three Russian swings and ball machines onstage
to reenact his coolest finishes and most dramatic strikes in a way
that you have never seen them before.
WRAP UP
-------
Messi joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old, with the Catalan club luring
him from Argentina with the promise of paying to help treat a growth
hormone disorder. He has since gone on to become the club's most
decorated player, winning over 30 trophies, as well as being named the
World Player of the Year on five occasions. Now 31 and Barca's all-
time top goal scorer with 563 goals, he is closing on his 650th
appearance for the club, with only Xavi Hernandez (767) and Andres
Iniesta (674) having made more. "We are thrilled to be working with
such a living legend. As a world leader of live entertainment, Cirque
du Soleil Entertainment Group is becoming the go-to creator of
original content and experiences for the world's top brands," says
Jonathan Tétrault, President and Chief Operating Officer at Cirque du
Soleil. "We are convinced that bringing Messi's legacy to life on
stage will touch audiences and speak to all football fans. Together
with PopArt Music and Sony Music, we have the chance to transcend the
sport and present it in a totally new form to inspire the world."
And they have. Check the ITINERAIRE section within to catch MESSI10 in
your area!
------------------------------------------------------------
"Costumes at Cirque du Soleil The Challenging Work of
Preserving Circus Heritage" By: Katalin Lightner
Originally Published by CircusTalk
------------------------------------------------------------
In December, Katalin Lightner took a trip to the "vault" at the Cirque
du Soleil IHQ. There she interviewed the Head of Public Affairs,
Marilene Baril, about the Show Heritage Collection - their costume
preservation program - and published the following article about her
experience in CircusTalk on February 4th.
* * *
Cirque du Soleil was founded over 35 years ago, and in that time has
produced thousands of costumes for 52 stage shows. Its costuming
department fabricates over 15,000 costume pieces per year at the
international headquarters in Montreal, Canada that it then sends out
to its touring and resident shows, as well as special events. Since
the company's founding in 1984, their shows have explored a variety of
themes which has translated to a diverse history of costumes.
The materials used for creating costuming has evolved to include 3D
printed materials, LED lights, and even motors. Many contemporary
circus artists have struggled with defining their work in a way that
is not confined to and characterized by traditional circus, so
preserving heritage is a topic that often seems to fall by the
wayside, whether intentional or not. The evolution is an important
part of the industry's history though, and costuming is a critical
component. It communicates when there may be no spoken words in a
show. Vibrant colors spark emotions, just as drab, muted ones do. The
costume of an imagined creature is the first indication that we are
about to be transported to a different world. For shows that bring
fantastical creatures and characters to life, the costuming is often
on the forefront of developing new or unconventional materials in the
world of garment making. There is a history here that the industry
should be proud of. What is being done to preserve it?
Cirque du Soleil is arguably the most recognizable circus in the
world. Have you ever wondered what happens to their costumes after
they are retired? Maybe you've seen souvenirs such as Christmas
ornaments for sale at their shows that contain recycled costume
scraps. There is a deeper story to their costumes that reach the end
of their life cycle. I sat down with Marilène Baril, Head of Public
Affairs at Cirque du Soleil, to learn more about the company's efforts
to preserve costuming, and in turn, the heritage of their company,
through the Show Heritage Collection.
ORIGINS
-------
Where did the difficult task of preserving costumes begin for Cirque
du Soleil? Baril says "Sylvie François, a former Cirque du Soleil
employee, presented a project more than 20 years ago, to preserve the
memory of our shows by implementing measures to conserve costumes and
accessories." The idea was to leave a trace of each of its shows in an
effort to conserve the heritage of the company. At the time, this was
a relatively new idea in the field of performing arts, and therefore
something that they were interested in pursuing. This resulted in the
creation of the Show Heritage Collection. "Today, this collection
constitutes a national heritage, an exceptional memory, unique in
Quebec, Canada and the performing arts" said Baril.
During my visit to the international headquarters, I had the privilege
of touring the "vault" where costumes from all of Cirque du Soleil's
stage shows are preserved. As Baril and I descended into the depths of
the basement of their sprawling headquarters, I wasn't sure what to
expect. She told me that because the purpose of the vault is to
preserve the costumes, access is restricted, and most of Cirque du
Soleil's employees will never have the opportunity to enter it.
WHAT'S IN THE VAULT?
--------------------
As we enter the vault, you can feel a change in temperature. Since the
goal is to maintain costumes for conservation, the vault is held to
preservation standards, where temperature, humidity, and light are
closely monitored and controlled. The room contains rows and rows of
rolling shelves which the preserved costumes are stored on. Although
most of them are stored in boxes, some that are too large to fit in a
box are stored hanging. The hanging racks are a diverse explosion of
colors, shapes, and textures.
For the costumes that are stored in boxes, each set is stored in a
separate box, and each box is labeled with information about the
costume contained within. Inside the box, each piece is layered in
tissue paper. This may sound easier than it is. Careful consideration
must be taken with each piece, as many of the costumes are complex,
and the richness in textures and colors often comes from the use of a
variety of textiles and materials. Some costumes must be taken apart
before they are stored in order to ensure that the costume is properly
preserved. "To ensure that certain mixtures of materials age well and
thus prevent damage that could result from the degradation of a
material on the textile, we sometimes need to remove certain
components from a costume and store it separately, for example
integrated LED lights to a costume" said Baril. When costumes are
taken apart, the exact process for reassembling it is detailed. This
process, along with every other piece of information about each
costume, is documented in an internal database.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
---------------------
Initially, the program was not as selective about which costumes were
kept for preservation. Over the years, the company has grown
exponentially, and new shows are continually being added to its
roster. There came a point when it was not feasible to store every
costume from every show, and a more rigorous selection process was put
in place. The conversation about which costumes will be selected
begins internally, a few years after a show has premiered, but before
the show closes. The Show Heritage Collection staff work with the
show's creative and/or artistic director to determine the most
signature costumes or characters from the show that should be
preserved.
Baril says that the conversation begins around the question "What do
we want people to remember about this show 20 or 30 years from now?"
Sometimes this could be a character that was prominent in marketing
materials for the show, or the first time that the company used a new
costuming technique or material. Since each show may have hundreds of
costume pieces, this is often a long process to narrow down which ones
should make the cut. Baril identifies the selection process as the
most challenging aspect of their program. "With a significant number
of new productions, we must ensure that our approach is sustainable.
The acquisition criteria must be tightened in order not only to
optimize storage space, human resources, but also to carry out a more
targeted and significant collection. Collecting is making choices,"
she said. I found the information she shared about which costumes make
it into the collection to be the most interesting and surprising part
of our discussion.
Some of Cirque du Soleil's shows have been presented for more than 20
years. If you've ever seen one of their shows, and then many years
later gone back to see the same show, you might see differences in
which circus discipline is presented within an act. Each circus
discipline presents unique costuming needs, even when they may look
very similar to someone unfamiliar with the disciplines. For example,
a pole dance artist requires bare legs whereas as a Chinese pole
artist requires full pants. This can cause changes to be made to the
design of a costume.
Many of the costumes evolve from the time the show premieres to the
time the show closes, so after a costume is selected for preservation,
it is looked at on a case by case basis to determine what part of that
costume's history makes it into the vault. Sometimes it is the first
version of a costume, and sometimes it is the last. Other times they
may be most interested in an early design that was eventually changed
before the premiere. There also may or may not be initial design
sketches included. Occasionally, more than one version of the same
costume is kept. For example, when the show Corteo was converted from
a tent show to an arena show, the costumes evolved to meet the demands
of the arena touring schedule. Some of the costumes for the tent show
were constructed out of linen and required more work to prepare for
each performance. When the show evolved, those costumes were remade
out of man-made materials that were dyed using the sublimation
technique. This resulted in a more durable costume, without some of
the upkeep. In this case, both versions of the costume were kept for
preservation, and are currently on display in the materials library at
the International Headquarters.
There is a very small team behind the Show Heritage Collection.
Besides Baril's oversight of the program, there is just one full time
technician, Marie-Claire Dumoulin, whose background is in museology.
She has the challenging task of not only preparing costumes for
preservation, but also determining which costumes out of the thousands
of pieces that end up back at the headquarters should be kept, and
which pieces belong together in a set.
All costumes that appear on stage are sent back to the headquarters
once they reach the end of their life cycle. If a costume piece has
been selected for preservation, it is set aside. Often times, the
entire costume will not be sent back at once since different parts of
a costume can have a longer life cycle than others. There may also be
more than one artist that plays a particular character, and therefore
there may be different sizes of the same costume. The costumes are not
preserved in the vault until they have the entire set, for one
performer, with each piece having a similar degree of wear and tear.
This ensures that they don't end up with mismatched costume sizes, or
pieces of a costume that are much more beat up than the rest both of
which could create a problem if the costume ends up on exhibition. An
additional challenge that they face is that there may be several
costumes in the same show that are very similar, with only minor
differences. I was shown an example of two headpieces that to the
untrained eye could look identical, but actually contained subtle
differences in embellishment. Even though these two head pieces belong
to the same type of character, but are technically different pieces,
it is likely that only one will be selected for preservation. Dumoulin
indicated that her next step with this costume was to determine which
one would be kept.
So what happens to the costumes after they are collected, documented,
and preserved in the vault? The last goal of the program is to exhibit
the collection. The program receives at least one request per year for
a public exhibition. Although this is a goal of the program, it does
create an additional challenge for conservation. Many of the costumes
that Cirque du Soleil produces are made of lycra or other stretch
materials. Costumes on exhibit must be rotated so that they don't
stretch out from being displayed on a mannequin for too long. Once a
costume makes it back to the vault after exhibition, it must rest for
several years before it can be displayed again.
LOOKING FORWARD
---------------
Currently, Cirque du Soleil loans out the costumes for public
exhibitions. The Show Heritage Collection plans to continue
discussions with museums that may have an interest in permanent
exhibits of Cirque du Soleil's costuming, such as the Musée de la
Civilisation. The goal is to look at moving beyond loaning out
costumes and into donating part of their collection. This would not
only make the costumes more accessible to the public, but it would
also delegate some of the on-going preservation responsibilities to
the museum.
My visit to Cirque du Soleil sparked many questions for me as a
creator in the circus industry. It got me thinking about the
importance of preserving our history, especially since circus hasn't
always been (and in some places is still not) considered to be an
actual art form, and beyond that, one that is valued. The industry has
changed so much in the last 50 years, and on our current path of
constant evolution, it will likely look very different from now in
another 50 years. As an industry, we often grapple with traditional
versus contemporary circus, and frequently exhibit a desire to
distance the two. In the midst of this, do we risk being so focused on
the future that we forget to consider what we are choosing to preserve
(or not preserve), and what stories, if any, we will leave about our
creations for future generations? One thing is certain to me our
heritage is important. We must work to preserve it and seek
opportunities to share it publicly. It is unrealistic to expect that
someone else will do it for us.
* * *
CHECK OUT THE ORIGIAL POST ON CIRCUSTALK.COM TO VIEW ALL THE GREAT
COSTUME IMAGES: https://circustalk.com/news/costumes-at-cirque-du-
soleil-the-challenging-work-of-preserving-circus-heritage
You can check out Cirque du Soleil's upcoming public costume
exhibitions currently scheduled for this year: May October 2020:
Pointe-a-Callieres Museum in the Old Port of Montreal, Canada.
Displayed in exhibit on Quebec and International Circus. Part of the
exhibit will also tour in the province of Quebec until 2022-23.
Summer 2020 (dates to be announced): Museum of Contemporary Art of
Tokyo. Costumes from the show Varekai displayed in Exhibit on Eiko
Ishioka (retrospective), Varekai's Costume Designer.
=======================================================================
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
=======================================================================
Fascination! Newsletter
Volume 20, Number 2 (Issue #193) - February 2020
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (C)
2001-2020 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., All Rights
Reserved. No copyright infringement intended.
{ Feb.11.2020 }
=======================================================================
