Cirque du Soleil - Varekai

Just yesterday me and the missus went to the Cirque, and honestly, i am lost for words. It was THAT good!



It has been years and years since i last went to the circus, when i was way younger during my early high school days. During that period in time, circuses are usually held at muddy fields under gigantic tents, and of course the usual spots would be the old Escoy Smelting compound as well as Han Chiang High School's ginormous field. The one that i can remember best was the Royal London Circus, of which if i am not mistaken was held at Han Chiang. It wasn't a memorable experience since the show was just mediocre at best, but the location as well as the event was managed appallingly. Toilets were few and far between, the ground was muddy and slippery, the seats were just wooden benches affixed to the seating structure/scaffolding, and there were kids screaming about as the show went on. The Cirque though, is a far cry from what the Royal London was.



Before this, the only times i've heard of the Cirque was on tv, while it was being mentioned on shows like CSI and Las Vegas, so my preconception of it was that it was just another famous Vegas show. I have no interest in those, until i was told that it is a circus by my french speaking friends. Literally translated, Cirque du Soleil means 'Circus of the Sun'. This franchise was started by two guys in Quebec, Canada over 20 years ago, and it prides itself in being one of the most highly regarded shows around the world today. They have resident shows in one of the Vegas hotels, as well as travelling troupes performing all over the US.



What is special about the Cirque is that their different shows have different themes and that their performers are usually dressed in elaborate outfits with make up to go, and as for the show i attended - Varekai - they had musicians and singers performing live on stage for the ongoing performance.



Sorry if i can't stop raving about the Cirque experience because i have not experienced anything like it at all. Period. From purchasing the tickets online to the ushering on site, everything was near perfect. And all this happening on a rainy day just impressed me even more. The location was easily accessible, it was clean, there were helpers all around, the Cirque shop was efficient, and the ushers, they really lead you all the way up to your seat. And the show itself? It started at right on time, 4pm, on the damn dot.



Since Varekai is loosely based on the Greek legend of Icarus, they started off by visually introducing the characters, with the real deal starting when Icarus the man in white tights and gay feathers being lowered down on to the stage. The stage itself is really special as well because it allows the performers to appear on or leave the stage as they like through trapdoors on the floor.



The show was very properly planned out, running a length of 2 hours with a 30 minute intermission in between each hour, and during both periods, the balance between the available acts and their novelty was pretty good, since usually circus acts get stale after a while since they are not that well planned, and usually the shows run the entire course of the time allocated without any breaks given(if i remember clearly).



Apart from the elaborate costumes and make up, the Cirque also make use of specially designed props and syncing the sound effects to what the characters are doing at specific times. Imagine that, surround speakers which work perfectly. In a circus.



As was mentioned earlier, there were music and singing accompanying the acts as the show progressed, and it wasn't just the regular music playbacks, no, not shit like that. The Cirque had LIVE music! I think they had about 7 or so musicians in total, with a male and a female singer singing along in incomprehensible but awesome french plus LOTR-like languages. The great thing about this is that the musicians and singers walks around freely on stage while the show is in progress, greatly improving the atmosphere as it gives you the feel that the whole show is one, unlike other circuses.



The shortcomings of the show are few and far between, since every aspect has been carefully thought of, every act beautifully choreographed. What bothered me, albeit only slightly, was the absence of a real flying trapeze crew, because to me a circus can't be complete without a flying trapeze. It is understandable though, as the Cirque is all about artistic and choreographed moves, rather than just pure death defying stunts. The limited size of the tent also didn't permit such an act to be a viable one even if one is to be planned.



Of all the things that i've raved on a about, one thing sorely disappointed me - not being able to take photos on site. That left me no choice but the grab the ridiculously priced dvd that was on sale at the store. Apart from that small little chip off the perfect package, as the french have it, Cirque du Soleil est manufique!


Fantastic dance performance by a bunch of men in red tights.


Short of Chappelle and Russell Peters, one of the funniest stage actors i've seen in a long time.


Amazing juggler who could handle everything, from bowling pins, balls, and hats, to juggling ping pong balls with his mouth.


The most flexible person i've seen live.


One of the highlights of the show, flying and balancing stunt men that made up for the lack of a flying trapeze.


End of the show. Can a circus be any better? Seriously.