Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Fascination Issue 217
=======================================================================
______ _ __ _ __
/ ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / /
/ /_ / __ '/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ '/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ /
/ __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/
/_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_)
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
------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.CirqueFascination.com
------------------------------------------------------------
=======================================================================
VOLUME 23, NUMBER 2 February/March 2023 ISSUE #217
=======================================================================
Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque
du Soleil Newsletter.
I must apologize for missing February's issue, as it seems that 2023
is just not my year (so far)! Immediately following the release of
January's issue, my family and I caught COVID for the first time.
Our son brought it to us - and though he and my wife had a very mild
time of it, I did not. It turned into a 2+ week affair of "getting"
sick, then being very sick, then there was a week of "brain fog" and
fatigue that's so prevalent in those who get a bad case of COVID.
Thankfully it did not turn into "long COVID" and we've all made a full
recovery. (I'm also thankful that I was both vaccinated and boosted,
or it could have been much, much worse.) Anyway, following our bouts
with COVID, the universe decided that both of our vehicles needed to
catch it too! First one car, then the other, needed to be towed into
the service garage for some reason or another. It was clearly time
for a new car or two. And so I focused time and attention on that,
eventually settling on a nice brand-new 2023 Subaru sedan.
But wait, there's more!
We were bought down from the new car high the following day upon
discovering a burst water pipe in our home - a day before heading
off on vacation. Uuuuugh! While that's all settled now, it's really
thrown everything around here off kilter. Such is life, right? To
that end expect issues bi-monthly for the foreseeable future, unless
Cirque du Soleil ramps up production again. Otherwise, we'll see
you again in May to cover ECHO's premiere!
Let's get into it...
/----------------------------------------------------\
| |
| Join us on the web at: |
| < www.cirquefascination.com > |
| |
| Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only): |
| < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 > |
| |
\----------------------------------------------------/
- Ricky "Richasi" Russo
===========
CONTENTS
===========
o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings
* La Presse -- General News & Highlights
o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information
* BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau
* Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues
* Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre
o) Fascination! Features
* "KURIOS at the Royal Albert Hall"
A collection of reviews of KURIOS: CABINET OF CUROSITIES
at London's Royal Albert Hall
* "A Look at Cirque at Sea III: COSMOS & EXCENTRICKS"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
o) Copyright & Disclaimer
=======================================================================
CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
=======================================================================
***************************************************************
LA PRESSE -- General News & Highlights
***************************************************************
----------------------------------------------------------
Trio of Cirque shows ready to party in '23
{Jan.29.2023}
----------------------------------------------------------
In its infancy, Guy Laliberté's vision for his little circus troupe
seemed to defy time. But even he could not have anticipated three of
his spectacles celebrating major milestones some 30 years after
opening on the Strip.
It is happening this year, as Cirque du Soleil is setting up a string
of impressive birthdays. "Michael Jackson One" at Mandalay Bay
celebrates its 10th anniversary in June. "O" at Bellagio turns 25 in
October. "Mystere" is 30 on Christmas Day.
The company is using this trifecta of events to lure new fans to the
Cirque experience. Each show will be given a chance to party it up as
the company continues to run a half-dozen original shows in Las Vegas
the three anniversary celebrants, along with "Love" at the Mirage,
"Ka" at MGM Grand (which turns 20 next year), and "Mad Apple" at New
York-New York.
Cirque also owns Blue Man Group at Luxor, one of its acquisition
companies over the the past several years.
"More than any time, we have spent more time on our brand and
understanding our brand equity, how people discover Cirque, how we
create awareness for them," Cirque President Eric Grilly said in an
online interview last week. "We celebrate 40 years as a company next
year, and our big focus is on building that next generation of Cirque
fan and follower."
Gaming industry icon Bobby Baldwin, the former high-ranking executive
with Mirage Resorts and MGM Resorts, was onboard when Cirque arrived
on the Strip with Mystere in 1993.
That show, especially, expanded the scope of productions in Las Vegas.
"When we began our partnership with Cirque du Soleil, we had great
respect for the creative ambition of Guy Laliberté, Gilles St. Croix
and Franco Dragone," Baldwin said in a statement. "There was never a
question they would create a special entertainment experience, even
for Las Vegas, where the bar is quite high. What they did was
immediately change the entertainment landscape of the city. And then
Cirque du Soleil did it again. And then again. And I don't doubt they
will continue to do so for decades to come.
"They made history, and it's gratifying to have been part of that."
A look at the history of the three anniversary productions:
o) "Mystere" has performed for more than 17 million fans over 13,000
shows since premiering in 1993.
o) "O" has (water) logged more than 11,000 shows with its fantastic,
aquatic stage. The company's flagship production has played to more
than 18 million fans since 1998.
o) "MJ One," filled with Michael Jackson's hits and fantastic staging,
choreography and costumes, has been seen by more than five million
guests since its debut in 2013.
Grilly and Cirque Executive Vice Chairman Daniel Lamarre have said
2022 was a record-breaking year for the company on the Strip. That
gross figure exceeds $450 million for Cirque, just in Las Vegas.
"It was an unbelievable year for us, with really strong occupancy, but
really strong pricing as well," Grilly said. "I think that everyone's
seeing the record hotel rates, and talking to (Spiegelworld founder)
Ross (Mollison) and others, we're all being able to hold on to a
higher ticket price based on that demand."
That is a critical component of Cirque's success. High rates and high
volume allows the company to run shows at less than capacity and still
turn a profit. But the two leading revenue shows, "O" and "Mystere,"
typically run at higher than 90-percent capacity per show.
"Phil has been a fantastic partner for us, and his willingness to
invest in the property in the property and into the show the show led
to the year Mystere' had, which it hadn't seen in a decade," Grilly
said. "Mystere' had the highest percentage of first-time show-goers
in its history, with Mystere' being their first Cirque experience, in
its 29th year. That is unbelievable."
DUE TO PARTY
------------
If any artistic company has earned the right to celebrate success,
it's the troupe from Montreal. A group of investors salvaged Cirque
from potential bankruptcy after the company halted all 44 of its
touring shows including every show in Las Vegas in March 2020. The
company laid off 95 percent of its workforce, including 1,300 in Las
Vegas. The long-running "Zumanity" at New York-New York was closed
permanently, replaced by "Mad Apple."
As part of the Cirque recovery, Stéphane Lefebvre was appointed CEO,
Lamarre's handpicked successor, to run day-to-day with Lamarre heading
up future projects.
Grilly joined Cirque after the company took over VStar Entertainment,
where he was a top executive, in 2018. He'd just moved to Vegas in
November 2019, three months before COVID-19. He finally has an
opportunity to track trends and focus on the future.
"The nice thing that's happened that is an overall reflection of
travel, is people are spending an extra half a day or day in Vegas,"
Grilly said. "They're either tacking on that day before they come for
their activity, or for after. And live entertainment has benefited
from that."
During the COVID-19 shutdown, "Mystere" and Treasure Island owner Phil
Ruffin firmed up their commitment with a 10-year contract running
through 2030.
A LITTLE LOVE'
---------------
Grilly noted that Love' remains in the company's plans after its 2023
agreement to perform at Mirage as it turns over to Hard Rock Las
Vegas. The exec was asked if Cirque is committed to staging "Love,"
somewhere, in 2024 and beyond.
"Committed might be a strong word. Desired, yes," Grilly said. "To be
committed, that's a decision that's made with our partners at Apple
Corp. (the Beatles licensing company). We all love the show. The show
continues to perform brilliantly for us, and if there is a home for
the show, outside of Las Vegas, we would certainly be very interested
in exploring that."
Grilly also mentioned that Hard Rock officials have reminded him of 70
other Hard Rock locations internationally. Grilly said the two sides
have not discussed presenting "Love" at any of those properties, or on
tour.
Regardless, the exec is optimistic, saying, "There's just so much
history and legacy intertwined between the brands, that I really hope
that there's a long future for the Beatles, Love' and Hard Rock in
Las Vegas and potentially elsewhere."
{ SOURCE: John Katsilometes, Las Vegas Review-Journal }
----------------------------------------------------------
Celebrating 30 Years of Wonder and Amazement in Las Vegas
{Feb.01.2023}
----------------------------------------------------------
When Cirque du Soleil created its first permanent Las Vegas production
with Mystère at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in 1993, founder Guy
Laliberté said his fledgling circus troupe wanted to "grow a flower in
the desert." Safe to say that flower became a bouquet even he couldn't
have imagined.
This year, the world-renowned entertainment group will celebrate
significant milestone anniversaries for three of its Las Vegas
resident productions: Michael Jackson ONE at Mandalay Bay Resort and
Casino marking 10 years in June, "O" at Bellagio Resort & Casino
celebrating 25 years of aquatic brilliance in October and Mystère, at
Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, the show that started it all,
commemorating 30 years in December.
"These three remarkable shows illustrate the creative diversity and
staying power that has transcended through Cirque du Soleil since the
company began," said Eric Grilly, President, Resident Shows Division
and Affiliate Shows Division at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.
"Each of these productions remain as vibrant, inspiring and popular as
they did when they debuted, and that is a true testament both to the
creators and the cast and crew who continue to dazzle audiences from
around the world each night."
Bobby Baldwin, former senior executive with Mirage Resorts and MGM
Resorts, was a key figure in first introducing Cirque du Soleil to Las
Vegas and said the impact of that partnership has forever changed what
visitors expect from Las Vegas entertainment.
"When we began our partnership with Cirque du Soleil, we had great
respect for the creative ambition of Guy Laliberté, Gilles Ste. Croix
and Franco Dragone," said Baldwin. "There was never a question they
would create a special entertainment experience, even for Las Vegas,
where the bar is quite high. What they did was immediately change the
entertainment landscape of the city. And then Cirque du Soleil did it
again. And then again. And I don't doubt they will continue to do so
for decades to come. They made history, and it's gratifying to have
been part of that."
As part of the year-long celebration, Cirque du Soleil is offering one
lucky person a once-in-a-lifetime all-inclusive VIP experience for two
in Las Vegas. The "Big 30" sweepstakes winner and their guest will
travel like a celebrity via first-class flight and stay in a luxury
room at one of Las Vegas' finest hotels. The winner will receive VIP
treatment with exclusive backstage access to all six Las Vegas Cirque
du Soleil shows, and be transported to and around the Las Vegas Strip
in a luxurious limousine from the moment the plane lands until the
extravaganza experience comes to an end. For more details and to enter
the sweepstakes, click here.
Setting the stage for Cirque du Soleil's overwhelming success in Las
Vegas, Mystère has been seen by over 17 million fans with more than
13,000 shows performed since its first performance in 1993. The
original must-see Cirque du Soleil production pushes the boundaries of
what dreams and artistry can achieve when fusing together high-energy
acrobatics with evocative choreography.
Since opening in 1998, "O" has performed over 11,000 performances
featuring breathtaking acrobatics under, on and above the water
creating an unparalleled experience that engages the audience's
imagination and sense of wonder. The unique production that has been
seen by more than 18 million fans delivers an innovative display of
spectacular acrobats and artistic swimmers, including Olympians who
perform 60-foot-high dives into a 1.5 million-gallon pool, taking the
show to new heights night after night.
Inspired by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson ONE premiered in 2013 and
has been seen by over five million guests. The electrifying production
continues to stun fans through a blend of dynamic acrobatics, dance,
mesmerizing visuals and a state-of-the-art surround-sound theater
immersing audiences into Jackson's iconic discography.
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil }
----------------------------------------------------------
Aggreko Partners with Cirque du Soleil
{Feb.21.2023}
----------------------------------------------------------
Aggreko, the world's leading provider of mobile modular power,
temperature control and energy solutions, announced today that they
will be providing their industry-leading temporary power modules to
Cirque du Soleil for several of the entertainment company's North
American Big Top shows in 2023. The agreement continues Aggreko's
long-standing partnership with Cirque du Soleil, which began in 2012.
For Cirque du Soleil's 2023 season, Aggreko will provide power
generators for the following two North American runs of Kooza in
Houston and Toronto:
Houston KOOZA (1/25/2022 3/5/2023)
Toronto KOOZA (4/7/2023 6/18/2023)
Aggreko will coordinate 2,500 kW of reliable, temporary power for each
of the 134 performances across the two North American markets. The
seamless mobility of Aggreko's energy solutions guarantees that Cirque
du Soleil can tour the continent without experiencing power outages
while astonishing audiences with their world-renowned theatrics.
Aggreko's temporary power solutions ensure that audiences at Cirque du
Soleil shows will have uninterrupted experiences, even if power to the
grid is cut. The short-term nature of touring shows, and the unique
experience of sitting under the "Big Top", also means that area grids
may be stressed by demand from performances, making generators powered
by Aggreko's decades of experience a benefit for the communities
hosting the shows as well.
"We're thrilled to partner again with Cirque du Soleil to manage their
temporary power needs, marking the eleventh year of our relationship,"
said Don Gray, Events, Sector Manager at Aggreko North America. "We
understand that the immersive experiences of Cirque du Soleil's shows
require no interruptions, which is why we're happy to lend our
expertise in temporary power solutions to guarantee the greatest
enjoyment by audiences across North America. Aggreko looks forward to
another exciting year of working with Cirque du Soleil to bring the
magic of modern circus arts to over 130 audiences in the United States
and Canada."
"Aggreko has successfully provided energy supply for our international
touring shows for over a decade, and we're happy to partner with them
for another year ensuring a positive experience for both our
performers and the audience," said Philippe Rochette, Specialist
Electric & HVAC of Cirque du Soleil. "Our North American runs of KOOZA
are cornerstones of our international touring plan and thanks to
Aggreko's reliable energy service, we're confident that we will
continue to perform knowing that our energy supply is in good hands."
Those interested in learning more about the Aggreko power solutions
used in the Cirque du Soleil shows can visit https://www.aggreko.com/,
and the full Cirque du Soleil calendar for 2023 can be viewed at
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/.
About Aggreko
Aggreko is a world-leading provider of mobile modular power,
temperature control and energy services. Operating in a rapidly
changing energy market, our priority is to support our customers
through the energy transition by providing cost-effective and flexible
answers to the simple or complex challenges our customers face.
Founded in Scotland in 1962, Aggreko has grown from a small local
business to a global energy pioneer, employing more than 6,000 people.
Headquartered in Glasgow, we've remained true to our roots, and have
operations in over 204 locations, ready to deliver energy solutions to
every corner of the globe.
Aggreko creates bespoke solutions to provide all electricity, heating
and cooling needs using the latest fuels and storage solutions. This
is powered by our trademark passion, unrivaled international
experience, and local knowledge.
We recognize our position as partners in the energy transition and are
constantly evolving our products to provide better solutions no matter
the sector.
{ SOURCE: Aggreko }
----------------------------------------------------------
Drawn to Life' Adds New Acts as Show Evolves
{Feb.27.2023}
----------------------------------------------------------
New highflying acts have joined "Drawn to Life," the Cirque du Soleil-
Disney show at Walt Disney World, and Florida residents can buy
discount tickets for a limited time to check out the changes.
An all-new acrobatic act, additional aerial artists and a flying
guitarist" are now part of the spectacular, which is performed
Wednesday-Sunday at Disney Springs. The changes, and a spring discount
on certain tickets, were announced Monday morning.
Only one act a pair of stiltwalkers has left the production, said
Ann Paladie, director of public relations for Cirque du Soleil. The
new additions primarily enhance existing scenes in "Drawn to Life,"
which tells a sentimental and hopeful story of a little girl who uses
animation to honor her late father, who was a Disney animator. By
paying tribute to him, the legacy of Disney animation and the
company's beloved characters and movies also are honored.
The stiltwalkers have been replaced by a pair of performers performing
what is known as "Icarian Games" a series of acrobatic feats in
which performers use their legs and feet to toss fellow acrobats in
the air for flips, somersaults and other dramatic visuals. That act,
featuring a pair of Ethiopian acrobats, salutes "Disney's animated
forests and the mysterious creatures that inhabit them," according
to the announcement.
Aerialists in flying hoops will perform during an act known as "Dream
of Colors" which already features a pair of trapeze artists on a
suspended wheel. Because the wheel is at the back of the stage, the
addition of the aerial hoops will bring the show closer to the
audience during that scene, Paladie said.
The "Dream of Colors" act is an homage to ink and paint animation
artists; the trapeze artists appear to "paint" colors while they
perform.
Finally, the show-opening rhythmic gymnastics act, will be augmented
with a guitarist who soars above the acrobats as they flip through the
air.
New musical compositions will be incorporated into the show with the
additional acts, as well.
Cirque du Soleil shows generally change over time, in a "natural
evolution," Paladie said, often by adding and replacing various acts
within them. In this case, the creative team "found the opportunities
to add additional layers," she said.
By layering the additional performers, the show will remain the same
length: about 90 minutes without intermission.
In addition, increasing the number of available performers has a
positive practical side for the production, Paladie said. Should one
act be unavailable to perform on a particular night, the show can
proceed with the other performers.
The changes come just a few months after the first anniversary of
"Drawn to Life," which opened in mid-November 2021 in the distinctive
white tentlike structure that had been home to Cirque du Soleil's "La
Nouba" for nearly 20 years.
{ SOURCE: Orlando Sentinel }
----------------------------------------------------------
KURIOS Becomes Most Successful CDS Show in London
{Mar.07.2023}
----------------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil has announced that the European debut run of KURIOS
Cabinet of Curiosities has broken the attendance record for Cirque du
Soleil in London, having sold over 216,200 tickets since opening at
the Royal Albert Hall on 13 January. Breaking the historic record
previously set by the show OVO in 2018, KURIOS received rave reviews
throughout its run and and has become the most popular Cirque du
Soleil show to visit London. KURIOS leaves London to move to Rome,
opening back under the big top on 22nd March.
"KURIOS' record-breaking European debut run cements what an incredible
appetite for entertainment and arts there is here in the UK, and we
are proud to be a part of that. We are so grateful to our fans who
play a huge role in ensuring that our productions return to the Royal
Albert Hall for our annual residency" said Mike Newquist, President
Touring Shows Division.
For the past eight weeks, audiences have been transported into a world
of extraordinary imagination, with KURIOS taking aesthetic inspiration
from the Victorian era and 19th century industrial revolution. A
larger-than-life steampunk spectacle for people of all ages, it
features 13 jaw dropping acts, including 6 never seen before in the
UK. The run of KURIOS marked the 26th year that Cirque du Soleil have
performed at the renowned venue, having graced the stage over 1,200
times and having sold over 3.8million tickets since 1996. Since the
world premiere in Montreal in 2014, KURIOS has mesmerized over 4.5
million spectators in 30 cities worldwide with over 2,000
performances.
{ SOURCE: Broadway World }
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
{Alegria INAL, Koozå, Kurios, Luzia, Bazzar}
o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues
{Crystal, Corteo, Messi10, OVO}
o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre
{Mystère, "O", LOVE, MJ ONE, JOYA, X: The Land of Fantasy,
and Mad Apple}
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/ >.
------------------------------------
BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
------------------------------------
Alegría-In a New Light:
Tokyo, JP -- February 8, 2023 to June 25, 2023
Osaka, JP -- July 14, 2023 to October 10, 2023
Madrid, ES -- November 16, 2023 to December 17, 2023
Barcelona, ES -- February 9, 2024 to March 3, 2024
Koozå:
Houston, TX -- January 25, 2023 to March 5, 2023
Toronto, ON -- April 7, 2023 to June 18, 2023
Denver, CO -- July 5, 2023 to August 13, 2023
Calgary, AB -- August 25, 2023 to October 8, 2023
Vancouver, BC -- October 21, 2023 to December 31, 2023
Kurios:
London, UK -- January 13, 2023 to March 5, 2023
Rome, IT -- Mar 21, 2023 to Apr 29, 2023
Milan, IT -- May 10, 2023 to June 25, 2023
Knokke, BE -- July 27, 2023 to August 27, 2023
Brussels, BE -- September 7, 2023 to October 8, 2023
Paris, FR -- November 16, 2023 to December 17, 2023
Luzia:
Seville, ES -- February 3, 2023 to March 26, 2023
Vienna, AT -- April 12, 2023 to May 29, 2023
Frankfurt, DE -- June 13, 2023 to July 16, 2023
Bazzar:
Bogota, CO -- March 29, 2023 to April 30, 2023
Buenos Aires, AR -- June 24, 2023 to July 9, 2023
ECHO:
Montreal, QC -- April 20, 2023 to August 20, 2023
Washington, DC -- September 6, 2023 to October 22, 2023
Atlanta, GA -- November 5, 2023 to January 21, 2024
------------------------------------
ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues
------------------------------------
CRYSTAL - A BREAKTHROUGH ICE EXPERIENCE:
Espoo, FI -- Mar 16, 2023 to Mar 19, 2023
Oslo, NO -- Mar 23, 2023 to Mar 26, 2023
Hamburg, DE -- Mar 30, 2023 to Apr 2, 2023
Christchurch, NZ -- Jun 16, 2023 to Jun 18, 2023
Auckland, NZ -- Jul 4, 2023 to Jul 8, 2023
Brisbane, AU -- Jul 21, 2023 to Jul 23, 2023
Sydney, AU -- Aug 3, 2023 to Aug 6, 2023
Melbourne, AU -- Aug 17, 2023 to Aug 20, 2023
Adelaide, AU -- Aug 31, 2023 to Sep 3, 2023
Perth, AU -- Sep 15, 2023 to Sep 17, 2023
CORTEO:
Seattle, WA -- Mar 2, 2023 to Mar 5, 2023
Portland, OR -- Mar 9, 2023 to Mar 12, 2023
Los Angeles, CA -- Mar 23, 2023 to Apr 30, 2023
Frisco, TX -- May 17, 2023 to May 21, 2023
Kansas City, MO -- May 25, 2023 to May 28, 2023
Hoffman Estates, IL -- Jun 1, 2023 to Jun 4, 2023
Boston, MA -- Jun 8, 2023 to Jun 11, 2023
Newark, NJ -- Jun 15, 2023 to Jun 18, 2023
Columbus, OH -- Jun 22, 2023 to Jun 25, 2023
Ottawa, ON -- Jun 28, 2023 to Jul 2, 2023
Kingston, ON -- Jul 6, 2023 to Jul 9, 2023
Saint Paul, MN -- Jul 13, 2023 to Jul 16, 2023
Sacramento, CA -- Aug 3, 2023 to Aug 6, 2023
San Jose, CA -- Aug 9, 2023 to Aug 13, 2023
Oakland, CA -- Aug 17, 2023 to Aug 20, 2023
San Francisco, CA -- Aug 23, 2023 to Aug 27, 2023
Palm Springs, CA -- Aug 31, 2023 to Sep 3, 2023
San Diego, CA -- Sep 6, 2023 to Sep 10, 2023
Phoenix, AZ -- Sep 13, 2023 to Sep 17, 2023
MESSI10:
Buenos Aires, AR -- Oct 5, 2023 to Oct 28, 2023
OVO:
Cairo, EG -- Mar 8, 2023 to Mar 18, 2023
Gdansk, PL -- Apr 21, 2023 to Apr 23, 2023
Gliwice, PL -- Apr 28, 2023 to Apr 30, 2023
Prague, CZ -- May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2023
Malmo, SE -- May 11, 2023 to May 14, 2023
Stockholm, SE -- May 18, 2023 to May 21, 2023
Gothenburg, SE -- May 25, 2023 to May 28, 2023
Tallinn, EE -- Jun 1, 2023 to Jun 4, 2023
Vilnius, LT -- Jun 8, 2023 to Jun 11, 2023
Riga, LV -- Jun 15, 2023 to Jun 18, 2023
San Sebastian, ES -- Jul 19, 2023 to Jul 23, 2023
Gijon, ES -- Jul 26, 2023 to Aug 6, 2023
Las Palmas, ES -- Aug 12, 2023 to Aug 20, 2023
Bordeaux, FR -- Sep 21, 2023 to Sep 24, 2023
Turin, IT -- Sep 28, 2023 to Oct 1, 2023
Berlin, DE -- Oct 5, 2023 to Oct 8, 2023
Bratislava, SK -- Oct 19, 2023 to Oct 22, 2023
Pesaro, IT -- Oct 26, 2023 to Oct 29, 2023
Bologna, IT -- Nov 2, 2023 to Nov 5, 2023
Florence, IT -- Nov 8, 2023 to Nov 12, 2023
Lyon, FR -- Nov 15, 2023 to Nov 19, 2023
Toulouse, FR -- Dec 7, 2023 to Dec 10, 2023
Granada, ES -- Dec 13, 2023 to Dec 17, 2023
---------------------------------
RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre
---------------------------------
Mystère:
Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday
Variable Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2023 Dark Days:
o) February 12, 2023
o) March 10, 2023
o) May 12 thru 16, 2023
o) July 21, 2023
o) September 8 thru 12, 2023
o) November 10, 2023
"O":
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Friday, Dark Monday/Tuesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2023 Dark Days:
o) April 12-16, 2023
o) June 18, 2023
o) August 16-20, 2023
o) October 22, 2023
o) November 29-30, 2023
o) December 1-3, 2023
o) December 6-10, 2023
KA:
Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark Thursday/Friday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2023 Dark Days:
o) March 29, 2023
o) May 6 - 10, 2023
o) June 14, 2023
o) August 16, 2023
o) October 21 - 25, 2023
o) November 18, 2023
o) December 13, 2023
LOVE:
Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
Age Requirements:
- Children under 5 not permitted.
2023 Dark Days:
o) March 21, 2023
o) May 2-6, 2023
o) July 4 & 11, 2023
o) September 5-9, 2023
o) September 12-16, 2023
o) November 18, 2023
o) December 25, 2023
MICHAEL JACKSON ONE:
Location: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Thursday through Monday - Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2023 Dark Days:
o) April 3, 2023
o) May 18 22, 2023
o) June 5, 2023
o) August 10 - 14, 2023
o) October 16, 2023
JOYÀ:
Location: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
DRAWN TO LIFE:
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 5:30pm and 8:00pm
MAD APPLE:
Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
Age Requirements:
- Children under 16 not permitted.
- Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
2023 Dark Days:
o) April 17 - 18, 2023
o) June 9 - 13, 2023
o) August 21 22, 2023
o) October 27 31, 2023
o) November 3 7, 2023
o) December 18 19, 2023
=======================================================================
FASCINATION! FEATURES
=======================================================================
o) "KURIOS at the Royal Albert Hall"
A collection of reviews of KURIOS: CABINET OF CUROSITIES
at London's Royal Albert Hall
o) "A Look at Cirque at Sea III: COSMOS & EXCENTRICKS"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
"KURIOS at the Royal Albert Hall"
A collection of reviews of KURIOS: CABINET OF CUROSITIES
at London's Royal Albert Hall
----------------------------------------------------------
Review: KURIOS, CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, Royal Albert Hall
Broadway World / Franco Milazzo / 20 January 2023
There are generally two kinds of audiences at Cirque du Soleil shows.
The first kind is usually by far the majority: excited, expectant,
often slack-jawed at the amazing feats and ready to clap at any
opportunity. Then there's the rest: hesitant chin-rubbers who still
hold out hope despite seeing one too many over-hyped shows from this
billion-dollar company, non-plussed by the standard circus tropes
rolled out in the show-specific costumes or staging but quite ready to
rave about whatever makes this production genuinely special. Hello, my
name is Franco and I'm a Cirque cynic.
You don't have to live in a big top to know the general gist of what
to expect: contortion, juggling, acrobalance and aerial are just some
of the aspects of every show rolled out by this Montreal-based
company. It's what those in the pews expect, it's what they like and,
time after time, it's what they get.
Cirque had a rough time at the start of the pandemic, laying off
around 95% of its staff in March 2020. Having said that, with its
stunning stats, deep pockets, thousands of cast and crew and extensive
experience, this is one circus company that should (and sometimes
does) put on a spectacle that will burn visual and emotional memories
deep into our brains.
Which brings us to Kurios: Cabinet Of Curiosities. It comes with the
usual Cirque-style fantasy backstory about a nineteenth "seeker"
exploring a hidden world of mystical magic and steampunk-inspired
machinery. A live band gives us songs heavy on the folk and jazz as
wave after wave of acrobats perform from the ground or mid-air. The
props range from outsized Heath Robinson-style contraptions to a 750-
pound metal hand wheeled out as a base for a nifty contortion routine.
Two bulbous robots act as the seeker's assistant roving around the
thrust stage as he ventures deeper into this tangible fever-dream of
an experience. A man struts around with a large bathysphere strapped
to his front before revealing that the device contains another
performer within. Say what you like but, with Kurios, you cannot fault
the commitment to this kooky vision.
Kurios has a pattern of giving standard ground-based acts an aerial
twist, a simple technique that pays dividends in the cavernous Royal
Albert Hall. Volodymyr Klavdich acts as a base in a Russian cradle for
Ekaterina Evdokimova as she is thrown over and over into the air, the
difference here being that Klavdich is also mid-air and is able to
propel his partner above and below him. Similarly, juggler Louis-
Philippe Jodoin's club throwing turn is giving a literal lift as he is
hoisted above the audience. Elsewhere, a tricky balancing act on a
tower of cylinders is performed on a platform sees the action shifted
from the stage to several metres over the audience.
The clowning is, as always for me, a mixed bunch. I revelled in the
simple joys of Facundo Giminez's Invisible Circus. The way he brought
to life a motley crew of unseen acrobats and a decidedly less-than-
tame lion is sheer child-like magic. Also child-like, but in a far
more juvenile way, is a separate scene where a female audience member
is brought up on stage to be wooed through a series of mimed
animalistic impressions. It rarely rises above the trite and is
Kurios' main low point.
Of the standard aerial acts, few held any surprises. Flying through
the air using straps, "Siamese twins" Roman and Vitali Tamanov are
fluid, graceful and glamorous. Anne Weissbecker uses a bicycle frame
in place of a trapeze; while it lacked the heart-stopping chutzpah of
Kooza's high wire bicycle act, seeing her ride the bike right side up
and then upside down is cute as hell.
Two parts of Kurios stand out as real highlights and both directly
relate to its theatrical framing of a stranger in strange lands.
Creating a tower of chairs as a platform, even amid a dinner party of
seated folk, is hardly breaking creative boundaries but Andrii
Bondarenko takes it to a new dimension. As he reaches the top, we
follow his line of sight as looks up to see his scene mirrored above
him: anchored to the ceiling is a group of upside-down acrobats and
someone else building a chair tower. This highly entertaining spin
makes full use of the venue's immense height to bring home the
artistry, skill and danger involved here.
Flipping the script from vertical to horizontal, a massive net is
opened up across the stage after the interval. A seven-strong troupe
in sou'westers strip off to give us the kind of hijinks usually only
seen when flying off teeterboards. Once the clothing comes off, the
game is on and they all adeptly use this broad landscape to create
some jaw-dropping aerial feats.
Cirque goes above and beyond for Kurios in terms of props and costumes
and props (thanks to Stephane Roy and Phillipe Guillote respectively)
but they are the cherry on top of the ballistic magic which
complements the show's commendable dramatic ballast. Whether you are a
Cirque cynic or someone more open-minded, there is plenty to get your
teeth into here.
# # #
Kurios review a gasp-inducing steampunk celebration of virtuosity
The Guardian / Lyndsey Winship / 19 Jan 2023
It's how visceral your reactions can be, that's the appeal of circus.
A lurching stomach when an aerialist plummets towards the floor, or an
involuntary gasp when an acrobat nails a tricky catch. So, when
someone jumps the full height of the Royal Albert Hall on a giant
trampoline, and your heart leaps to join them, that's pure joy;
vicariously free and flying, all from the safety of your seat.
Cirque du Soleil has been performing for almost 40 years and knows how
to push our buttons. The company excels in large-scale spectacle,
gathering some of the best acts from around the globe. In Kurios, the
theme stringing those acts together is a steampunk world of retro-
futuristic inventions: it's hot air balloons and madcap Heath Robinson
machines, rivets, bolts and leather flying goggles, and eccentrically
shaped characters like something from Oskar Schlemmer's Triadic
Ballet.
The designs, plus the live band, drawing on European folk and jazz,
give whimsical character to what's a very slick operation, many bodies
fluently handled on stage (choreography is by Belgian contemporary
dance-maker Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui). But it's all a frame for the big
skills, like the Russian Cradle, an act where Volodymyr Klavdich is up
on a high platform, swinging Ekaterina Evdokimova between his legs
then swooping her to the ceiling in somersaults. I've seen this
performed as the big climax to a whole show; here it's only the first
act.
There are many more acrobatic feats, flips and twists, human towers,
soaring flight and impossible landings, as well as juggling,
contortionism and even some virtuoso yo-yo-ing. But the skill is one
thing, the art is in shaping the act. That can be with delightful
invention, as when handstander Andrii Bondarenko builds a tower to the
sky in a scene with hints of Mary Poppins, or it can be in tension-
building and showmanship as in James Gonzalez's Rola Bola act,
balancing on a wobbly tower of cylinders while on a moving swing. The
steampunk genre might be about harnessing technology and mechanical
invention, but this show is really about the mastery of human
mechanics, the minutiae of muscle control, and our reflexive surprise
at what flesh-and-blood bodies can do.
# # #
KURIOS: Quirky stunts that'll leave you too stunned to clap
METRO / Sophie Laughton / 19 Jan 2023
Defying gravity, death, and the normal range of motion for the human
spine, Cirque du Soleil's incredible stunts have been leaving
audiences across the globe gobsmacked for the best part of 40 years.
KURIOS, the latest show to arrive at their London home, is no
exception.
In this delightfully whimsical, steampunk-infused production, a mad
scientist's laboratory becomes a gateway to an alternate dimension
filled with deep-sea creatures, aviators, and anthropomorphic
inventions.
The Royal Albert Hall is no big top, but there could hardly be a more
fitting venue, or a more fitting ending to its 150th anniversary
celebrations.
An homage to the industrial revolution, gramophones, flying machines
and radios all get their moment in KURIOS, but the greatest
celebration of technological innovation is in the high-tech
contraptions that Cirque du Soleil's crew have designed and installed
at the RAH to make unbelievable feats of balance and contortionism
possible.
There's something of the sci-fi movies of fin-de-siècle filmmaker
Georges Méliès in the eccentric set and design and costume, and the
quirky mix of Victoriana and futurism seamlessly blends traditional
circus elements with ground-breaking acrobatics.
This is where Cirque does what it does best. A nail-biting balancing
act takes dinner party conversation to new heights, with a topsy-turvy
twist that pulls a gasp from an audience too stunned to remember to
clap.
For Acro Net, the stage is transformed into a giant fisherman's trap,
with scale-covered performers soaring 30ft in the air, while a
highlight of Act II sees brothers Roman and Vitali Tomanov swirl and
swoop in a mind-boggling double trapeze act that requires serious
bravery to watch, let alone accomplish.
Clowning provides moments of humorous respite (and a chance to loosen
your grip on your seat) an invisible' circus is a concoction of
gleeful silliness, flexing even more stage effects, while an intricate
hand ballet (performed atop a 15ft-long mechanical hand, no less) is a
clever delight.
Any lull is merely designed to catch you off guard; the second your
attention slips the next climax immediately reveals itself. And once
you're well and truly dumbstruck, they'll find a way to dazzle you
some more. As with all things curious, this is a show that must be
seen to be believed.
# # #
Cirque du Soleil's Kurios at the Royal Albert Hall review
What's On Stage / Theo Bosanquet / 19 January 2023
Cirque du Soleil are back at the Royal Albert Hall, and back to doing
what they do best, with this European premiere of Kurios, a
satisfyingly old-school show from these masters of concept circus.
A steampunk-styled celebration of Victoriana, it features a medley of
acts who emerge from an eccentric inventor's cabinet of curiosities'.
The acts themselves are thrilling, standouts including four contorting
electric eels', who writhe in such a way as to be indistinguishable
from each other, and a high-flying trampoline troupe who somehow
manage to bounce one member from the stage right up to the lighting
rig.
There's also juggling, yo-yo-ing, aerial cycling, chair-climbing,
balancing and, at the more intimate end of the spectrum, a delightful
dance sequence performed entirely by hands. It's a glorious spectacle,
and my nine-year-old daughter was delightedly agog throughout (though
a word of warning: the sightlines are woeful for younger audiences in
the unraked section of the stalls). There's a purity and a playfulness
to the whole thing that is genuinely infectious and the perfect tonic
to these straightened times.
Stephane Roy's set designs and Phillipe Guillotel's costumes are a
real visual feast, ensuring you never quite know where to look from
the moment you sit down. The stage is awash with eccentric characters,
many of whom you'll see adorning posters across the capital this
month: a man dressed as an accordion, a hoop-skirted vamp, a semi-
robotic individual who carries a lady around in his mechanical
costume, a couple flying in a bi-plane. At times it's like watching a
Dali painting come to life.
Not everything electrifies, notably the clowning interludes. One sees
a hapless audience member being invited on stage by Facundo Giminez to
observe his (albeit accurate) cat impressions. His invisible circus
routine, which culminates in him being chased off stage by an
imaginary lion, is also a bit of a damp squib. But these are pretty
minor hiccups in Michel Laprise's otherwise highly dynamic production.
Having made shows about Michael Jackson, The Beatles and even Lionel
Messi, it's good to see Cirque du Soleil getting back into less
nakedly commercial territory. There's real artistry here, from the
balletic choreography of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Yaman Okur to the
jazz-infused original score (superbly performed by the onstage band)
composed by Raphaël Beau and Bob and Bill. It's also grounded in
genuinely interesting intellectual ideas: those aforementioned
trampoliners are styled as characters from the works of Jules Verne
and Georges Méliès.
But ultimately this is about enjoying the way such a big, bold
spectacle can bring out the child in all of us. Kurios is a show that
has its feet planted firmly in the sawdust, even as its astonishing
acrobats soar high above us.
# # #
Cirque du Soleil: Kurios Cabinet of Curiosities' review
Time Out / Tom Wicker / 19 January 2023
Legendary Canadian circus company Cirque Du Soleil knows how to put on
a spectacle. And its thirty-fifth show making its European premiere
at their traditional London stomping ground of the Royal Albert Hall
is no different.
Kurios Cabinet of Curiosities' is a lavishly designed (by Stéphane
Roy) ode to the Victorian Age of Wonder. It makes full use of the
height and scale of the Royal Albert Hall's auditorium to surreally
evoke the period's heady collision of imagination and technological
advances. There's a beautifully realised steampunk edge to the various
contraptions and robots on stage. It's a vision in bronze hues of our
first steps towards flight and the flickering lights of early cinema.
However, fully grasping the underlying narrative definitely needs a
flick through the show's programme. The Seeker a scientist-like
character who looks like he's stepped out of a Pee-wee Herman film
wants to unlock the secrets of his cabinet of curiosities. After
essentially giving himself an electric shock, the inhabitants of
Curiosistan' appear on a locomotive and do their weird and wonderful
thing.
It's a novel approach by Michel Laprise, who has progressed from
Cirque Du Soleil performer to this show's writer and director. It's
something of a shame, then, that it takes a little while for the wow-
factor to really kick in. There are some inventive performances at the
start, like Anne Weissbecker's aerial acrobatics on a bicycle and
comic Facundo Giminez's invisible' circus, but they sometimes feel
like they're competing with the lavish set for attention.
However, starting with contortionists Ayagma Tsybenova, Baasansuren
Enkhbaatar, Bayarma Parry and Imin Tsydendambaeva as The Seeker's
electric eels brought elastically to life, the show draws you in.
Andrii Bondarenko's hand-balancing act, Upside Down World in which a
guest at a dinner party climbs up an ever-growing tower of chairs to
reach a levitating candle, only to encounter his mirror image doing
the same from a table suspended from the ceiling is a breathtaking,
visually arresting highlight of the show.
The second half is a more confident, satisfyingly balanced combination
of eye-popping spectacle and inventive playfulness. From the
nautically designed, Jules Verne-inspired Acro Net, act to the
staggeringly far-flung bodies of the Banquine acrobatics, the show
pops with precision-timed adrenalin. But there's also room among these
circus feats for Nico Baxias's irresistibly sweet Theatre of Hands,
which uses cameras and projections to bring us into a miniature world.
As with some previous Cirque Du Soleil shows, there's still the issue
of the female performers sometimes feeling more ornamental' than
their male counterparts. But, by now, you know what you're getting
with a show created by this grandee company of contemporary circus a
visual feast that few others can match in scale or talent. And there's
plenty to capture the imagination in this cabinet of wonders.
# # #
Review: Cirque De Soleil: KURIOS, Royal Albert Hall
West End Best Friend / James Edge / 23 January 2023
Cirque Du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall, could there be a bigger
spectacle? We thought we'd go along and see for ourselves last night.
The story of Kurios, if we were to loosely summarise, follows an
inventor/mad scientist as he gets lost in the world of the industrial
revolution with a heavy steam punk twist. Whilst the story line is
barely present, you don't find yourself feeling hard done by; in fact,
quite the opposite as you witness jaw dropping, gravity defying
performances soaring above your heads. The prodigious Royal Albert
Hall perfectly facilitates this dream factory and you truly believe
you could be on another planet.
As to be expected with Cirque du Soleil, every single act is at the
top of their game, and you know you are in a room with the creme de la
creme of performers from around the world. From a majestic
contortionist trio that can do things with their body that we
physically didn't believe was possible, to a yoyo artist who is so
adept at what he does, the mind boggles at just how many hours it must
have taken to achieve this level of skill.
Cirque are the best at knowing how to evolve and transcend the acts
that audiences have come to expect in their shows, and they have
achieved this once again by adding an aerial dynamic to a number of
the acts. We were especially delighted watching Louis-Phillipe Jodoin
juggling clubs whilst suspended high in the air and could barely watch
with nerves when Volodmyr Klavdich, way above ground, sends Ekaterina
Evdokimova tumbling through the air before catching her hands last
minute. One sweaty palm, one hand out of place and the results could
be disastrous, but the pair are clearly masters at what they do and
couldn't have been more in sync.
To give the audience's heart rate some time to return to its normal
state, there are some much needed and well thought out clown acts.
Ranging from a genius invisible circus act performed by Facundo
Giminez and probably a dozen people behind the scenes, and a scene
when an audience member gets invited onto the stage and is subject to
numerous animal impressions. Whilst not to everyone's taste, we
thought this scene was funny, expertly performed physically and came
at a welcome time in the show.
The set and the costumes (Stephane Roy and Phillipe Guilote) are
bizarre, freakish and fabulous, and have clearly had a tremendous
amount of time spent on them. They really help transform the show into
something special. Kurios has something for everyone and will
transport you to a crazy mechanical dimension of joy and utter TALENT.
Sitting further back isn't a bad idea for this one so you can take in
and marvel at the show as a whole.
This was our first time reviewing a Cirque show. Would we go back
again for a second helping? Absolutely, no one does it better.
An alien amalgamation of metal cogs, iron will and complete wonder.
**** Four stars
----------------------------------------------------------
"A Look at Cirque at Sea III: Cosmos and Excentricks"
By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
----------------------------------------------------------
In 2015, MSC Cruises announced a long-term partnership with Cirque du
Soleil to create a total of eight brand new shows exclusively for MSC
guests aboard the cruise line's next-generation Meraviglia-class ships
that would set "new standards in live entertainment at sea" in multi
million dollar, ground-breaking entertainment and dining venues. "We
have found in MSC a long-term partner with a clear vision about trends
in the cruising industry and a strong desire to be the leader by
bringing entertainment on board to a whole new level," said Yasmine
Khalil, President 45 DEGREES. "For Cirque du Soleil, this is what
inspires us and provides us with a great creative challenge that we
require for each new relationship and project that we embark on."
Back in 2013, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises,
is said to have had a vision to take the entertainment offered on
board his ships to the next level. Since MSC Cruises sought to work
with innovative, world-class leaders, it was only natural to approach
Cirque du Soleil. The 4,500-passenger MSC Meraviglia, the initial ship
in the class, would be the first cruise ship ever to feature a multi-
million dollar, ground-breaking entertainment and dining venue able to
meet the unique needs of Cirque du Soleil also whilst at sea.
Therefore, each "Cirque du Soleil at Sea" show would be an original,
never-before-seen production that constantly pushed the company's
creative boundaries, reinventing their processes, challenging the
status quo, and forcing the exploration of new territories in order to
create inspiring experiences to delight MSC guests.
MSC Meraviglia was the first ship to debut the new Cirque du Soleil at
Sea concept with the launch of the two shows VIAGGIO and SONOR in June
2017. (We reviewed these shows in Issue #179, December 2018). MSC
followed up that success with SYMA and VARELIA, the two shows that
launched with MSC Bellissima in March 2019. (Which we reviewed in
Issue #191, December 2019.) Then, unfortunately, the pandemic
happened; MSC Cruises shut down, and Cirque du Soleil shut down,
and... sadly... you know how this story ends.
While today the Cirque du Soleil at SEA concept has been discontinued
(with all shows no longer performing), Cirque du Soleil did deliver
its third round of shows - COSMOS and EXCENTRICKS - just before the
pandemic reared its ugly head and shut everything down. The two shows
launched aboard the MSC Grandiosa in November 2019, and performed for
a brief period of time. Although it's a bit overdue, let's take a peek
at the last pair of concepts from the Cirque at SEA experiment.
COSMOS: JOURNEY TO THE UNBELIEVABLE
-----------------------------------
"Feel your emotions go into hyper speed as you blast off into the
great unknown and discover what makes you shine."
Fire up your senses! Gear up to experience a breathtaking voyage
across the galaxy with a brave astronaut on a quest for self-discovery
and light off into a fantastic world of Cirque du Soleil at Sea!
Journey to the unbelievable: Reach for the stars alongside the young
explorer as he connects with his spirit of adventure, traveling
through the stars and his childhood memories before landing on the
realization that sometimes you need to travel far to come home. The
co-pilots on this fantastic voyage are a galaxy of illuminating
characters who are every bit spaced-out and other-worldly as they are
kind and friendly. COSMOS explores the feeling of traveling at night
on the high seas on a majestic cruise ship. Imagine you're on the open
sea and you look up to gaze at the stars. The view is both mind-
boggling and mesmerizing. The vastness of the sky is as fathomless as
the deep blue ocean underneath.
CREATIVE TEAM
Creative Director Gabriel Dubé-Dupuis
Stage Director Susan Gaudreau
Costume Designer Liz Vandal
Acrobatic Performance Designer David Girard
Composers Milk and Bone
Lighting Designer Laurent Routhier
Choreographer Eric Zig Martel
Sound Designer Pierre-Luc Brunet
Make-Up Designer Chloé Poirier-Sauvé
Acrobatic Guest Designer Ginger Griep-Ruiz
Character Development Michael Rahhal
Assistant Stage Director Michael Rahhal
Video Designer Astrid
SCENES / ACTS
Mother and Son Opening
Poetic Orbit Aerial Ginger Rope
Birth of a Universe Juggling
Astral Figures Dance
Mayday Physical Acting
Lost in Space German Wheel
Planet Jump Group Act
The Void Solo Strap
Big Bang Hoop Diving
Back to the Beginning Finale
PERSONAGES
o) SAM THE COSMONAUT Sam is naive and innocent, and sees the world
through a child's eyes. He is curious about everything he discovers
in this new Universe.
o) HOUSTON The "challenged" scientist from Earth. Houston is the
ultimate nerd who works for NASA as a computer programmer. He is
full of brilliant ideas that do not always come out as successfully
as he'd planned.
o) GINGER ROPE The Ginger Rope characters are feminine extensions of
the Cosmonaut's Mother. They are the first creatures Sam discovers
after losing his Mother, and their persona are calming and wise.
They instigate and encourage curiosity within the young cosmonaut.
o) ASTRAL FIGURES The Astrals Figures are devilish and enjoy
interacting with other characters. They are a troupe just in
themselves and they often surprise us by appearing from the
audience within an act. They are curious about Sam and often
accompany him.
o) STAR MAKERS Born from the universe, the Star Maker is a powerful
creature that controls the realm of the stars. Powerful and
entertainingly manipulative. His passion is making powerful energy
from his own movement and he enjoys the pleasure in what he
creates.
o) GEAR Half man half machine, Gear is the creation design of
Houston's that went all wrong. He exemplifies strength, fluidity,
and risk.
o) BIG BANG HOOP DIVERS Hoop Divers are powerful, daring, and
confident. They represent the energy of the Big Bang explosion.
Their energy is very masculine and communicates power.
SCENEOGRAPHY
The Carousel Lounge is a purpose-built entertainment venue holding
just over 400 guests each show, one of the most intimate venues for
any Cirque du Soleil produced shows. This venue was specially designed
to meet the needs of the artists as well as bringing guests closer to
a spectacular display of acrobatic flair and artistic finesse. State-
of-the-art technology is added to each new ship, designed specifically
to accommodate each show. On MSC Grandiosa, the addition of 80 kinetic
LED spheres offer a change to the atmosphere of the CarouselLounge at
specific moments during the shows and to create a large array of
visual effects. The moving LED lights are spread across the space to
provide depth and a visual background for the audience sitting across
the room. The 360-degree stage is where the lounge derives its name as
it rotates like a carousel with special rigging for impressive aerial
acrobatics. For MSC Grandiosa, the design team was looking for a way
to bring more focus on solo ground acts; the solution came as a new 2-
meter lift in the center of the existing turntable to raise the
performance above the stage floor.
MUSIC Blending an energetic techno vibe with epic lyricism, Cosmos'
soundtrack creates a narrative path amplifying the emotions conveyed
by the show's fantastic imagery. Composed by the famous Quebecer duo
Milk & Bone, the melodies of Cosmos allow the imagination to travel to
the frontier of galactic space and beyond.
LIGHTING The theater is bi-frontal: 90% of the audience is on each
side. The best way to give volume to acrobats is to use side lights.
Laurent Routhier, light designer, chose to use two background
"layers". The led balls on the winches are the first layer and the
moving light on every end of the room is the second background.
EXCENTRICKS: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
----------------------------------
"A high-spirited spectacle full of fun and mischief that dares you to
embrace your eccentric side."
Led by a colorful cast of quirky characters, it's all hands-on deck as
you could very well be invited to jump right into the action! The
excitement begins as a stylish and orderly extravaganza before
suddenly careering off course into a hilarious pageant when the star
performer is suddenly unable to continue. Scrambling to find a
replacement, the Master of Ceremonies holds auditions. Experience
action and a world of wondrous theatrics, surprising acrobatics, and a
wave of mischief that promises to bring out the eccentric side in
everyone. EXENTRICKS is inspired by the essence of the circus arts
with big colorful characters brimming with style, personality and
amazing abilities. The strength of the characters and the energy of
the show are inspired in part by high-voltage, pop-culture fashion.
CREATIVE TEAM
Creative Director Gabriel Dubé-Dupuis
Stage Director Susan Gaudreau
Costume Designer Liz Vandal
Acrobatic Performance Designer David Girard
Composers Milk and Bone
Lighting Designer Laurent Routhier
Choreographer Eric Zig Martel
Sound Designer Pierre-Luc Brunet
Make-Up Designer Chloé Poirier-Sauvé
Acrobatic Guest Designer Ginger Griep-Ruiz
Character Development Michael Rahhal
Assistant Stage Director Michael Rahhal
Video Designer Astrid
SCENES / ACTS
The Welcome Animation
The Grand Opening Opening
Crazy Bike Acrobatic Bike
The Show Must Go on Audience Interaction
Hermaphrodite Contortion
The Tryst Clown
Mall Walkers Aerial Hannock
Carousel The Carousel
Finally Free Acrobatic Dance Pole
Blind Mask Chinese Pole
Grand Finale Charivari
PERSONAGES
o) EMCEE He is a quirky and sometimes obnoxious character who loves
his troupe and enjoys interacting with the crowd. A bit of a smart
ass, the Emcee is a physical clown that communicates through
movement, sound effects, and multi-language words.
o) CAROL The ex-wife of Emcee and a former Las Vegas performer,
Carol loves screwing with the Emcee and has an instinctual drive to
flash her breasts at people. The Emcee is constantly stopping her
from this obscenity. Carols is not a stupid bombshell. In fact, she
is very smart but very self-centered in a likable way. All the
troupe adore her, and the paparazzi follow her wherever she goes.
o) CANON BALL MAN The star of the show, Canon Ball Man is
heartbroken and sad when he first appears all broken because he has
let his troupe mates down and it breaks his heart. Although he
cannot perform, he helps the Emcee save the show. As well, Canon
Ball Man helps the Mall Walkers to live out their dream of being
circus performers (acting as if he is their manager).
o) THE TWINS Bizarre and exotic, the Twins are two separately unique
characters that become a whole when they are together. One Twin is
very acrobatic, energetic, and silly while the other Twin is
quirky, disjointed, and regal. They communicate through very
physical expression and their job is to be the Emcee's assistant.
o) THE BEARDED LADY Exotic, sensual, and strong. The Bearded Lady
keeps the Troupe in awe. She first appears by the air and we soon
discover that her and Graffiti man have the hots for each other.
o) HERMAPHRODITE Half male-half female Hermaphrodite is mysterious,
confident, and sensual. She demands to be watched when she moves
just in the attitude and energy she communicates to the spectator.
Her act is dark but not negative or evil.
o) GRAFFITI MAN Sexy, dangerous, and flirtatious, Graffiti Man is
quite the showoff when performing. He wants Bearded Lady and
seduces her by his bike skills during his act.
o) STRONG MAN The classical archetypal strongman each circus troupe
used to have. On the other hand, some doubt that his weights are as
heavy as he claims...
o) FLATMAN His personality is quite bubbly and fun. He always seems
to be lagging slightly behind the group when it comes to actions.
o) THE PAPARAZZI The Paparazzi are a playful, energetic, and
handsome posse of guys. They are big fans of Carol and in the
closing act they have a lot of fun vying for her attention and
adoration.
o) THE MALL WALKERS Ethel and Marjorie are avid young cruise
aficionados who are besties. They ADORE cruising and enjoy all the
bells and whistles on board! Clueless, self-absorbed, and
determined to win the spot of replacing the Cannon Ball Man, the
Mall Walkers resort to paying him off to get the opportunity to
show their hot stuff to the Emcee.
SCENOGRAPHY
The Carousel Lounge is a purpose-built entertainment venue holding
just over 400 guests each show, one of the most intimate venues for
any Cirque du Soleil produced shows. This venue was specially designed
to meet the needs of the artists as well as bringing guests closer to
a spectacular display of acrobatic flair and artistic finesse. State-
of-the-art technology is added to each new ship, designed specifically
to accommodate each show. On MSC Grandiosa, the addition of 80 kinetic
LED spheres offer a change to the atmosphere of the Carousel Lounge at
specific moments during the shows and to create a large array of
visual effects. The moving LED lights are spread across the space to
provide depth and a visual background for the audience sitting across
the room. The 360-degree stage is where the lounge derives its name as
it rotates like a carousel with special rigging for impressive aerial
acrobatics. For MSC Grandiosa, the design team was looking for a way
to bring more focus on solo ground acts; the solution came as a new 2-
meter lift in the center of the existing turntable to raise the
performance above the stage floor.
MUSIC The high drived energetic music of Exentricks gives a shopping
center, casino atmosphere, mixing with the melancholy of the circus
troupes from long ago. The famous Quebecer duo Milk & Bone composed
the score of Exentricks, assuring a perfect funny, carnivalesque
ambiance while still reaching the high musical standard required to
ensure a dynamic tempo during all the acrobatic numbers.
LIGHTING The winches under the blue lines on the plan are used to
create a festoons look. They can be colored, each line in alternance
to give a tent look. The winches with a circle are mirror balls
instead of led balls.
=======================================================================
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
=======================================================================
Fascination! Newsletter
Volume 23, Number 2 (Issue #217) February/March 2023
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (C)
2001-2023 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.
{ Mar.09.2023 }
=======================================================================
