Cirque Du Soleil
Circus of the Sun
(Yes, I know the picture was taken at night)
^_^

Each show is a synthesis of circus styles from around the world, with its own
central theme and storyline. They draw the audience into the performance
through continuous live music, with performers rather than stagehands
changing the props, and by having no curtains.

Up to 70+ million people have experienced Cirque Du Soleil.

QUICK PREVIEW OF ALL SHOWS:



Longer Previews and Biography Below



Big Top Touring Shows


Alegria

The show's main theme is about the abuse of power and the subsequent

struggle for freedom. Alegría makes use of darker lighting and music

than previous Cirque productions. The stage and the props use gothic

arches and harsh angular designs to attempt to invoke a feeling of

oppressiveness.

Alegría is a mood, a state of mind. The themes of the show, whose name

means "jubilation" in Spanish, are many. Power and the handing down of

power over time, the evolution from ancient monarchies to modern

democracies, old age, youth—it is against this backdrop that the

characters of Alegría play out their lives. Kings' fools, minstrels,

beggars, old aristocrats and children make up its universe, along with

the clowns, who alone are able to resist the passing of time and the

social transformations that accompany it.

Quidam

Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street

corner, a person rushing past. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone

coming, going, living in our anonymous society. A member of the crowd,

one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams

within us all. This is the "quidam" that Cirque du Soleil is

celebrating.

A young girl fumes; she has already seen everything there is to see,

and her world has lost all meaning. Her anger shatters her little

world, and she finds herself in the universe of Quidam. She is joined

by a joyful companion as well as another character, more mysterious,

who will attempt to seduce her with the marvelous, the unsettling, and

the terrifying.


Dralion

Dralion is the fusion of ancient Chinese circus tradition and the

avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil. The show's name is drawn from

its two main symbols: the dragon, representing the East, and the lion,

representing the West. Dralion derives much of its inspiration from

Eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between

humankind and nature.

Suspended in time between the past and the future, Dralion is a

celebration of life and the four elements that maintain the natural

order: air, water, fire and earth. Innovation soars to new heights as

it defies the laws of nature. Dralion is a dynamic performance that

transcends the boundaries of the imagination and leads us into a

dreamscape with a new and sparkling perspective.

Varekai
I saw this in VIP seating, my absolute favorite.
The soundtrack is one of my favorites as well.

Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an

extraordinary world—a world where something else is possible. A world

called Varekai.

From the sky falls a solitary young man, and the story of Varekai

begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a

kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man

sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at

the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an

inspired incantation to life rediscovered.

The word varekai means "wherever" in the Romany language of the gypsies

the universal wanderers. This production pays tribute to the nomadic

soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the

infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path that


leads to Varekai.


Resident Shows


Mystere

The concept for Mystère was an exploration of the origins of life in

our universe. The themes for the show are a conglomerate of multiple

mythologies from multiple cultures.

Mystère is classic Cirque du Soleil, combining the powerful

athleticism, high-energy acrobatics and inspiring imagery that has

become the company's hallmark. Deemed a theatrical "flower in the

desert," Mystère thrills generations of audiences with its exhilarating

blend of whimsy, drama and the unimaginable brought to life on stage.

Presented exclusively at Treasure Island, Mystère provides the ultimate

discovery that life itself is a mystery.

O

"O" represents life and all the mysteries of the universe. But it also

represents the theatre, which is a marvellous machine mankind has

created to understand himself and his universe. Theatre allows us to

explore the mystery, and "O" is our attempt both to praise theatre and

to push it beyond its limits.

Cirque du Soleil weaves an aquatic tapestry of artistry, surrealism and

theatrical romance in the timeless production, "O." Inspired by the

concept of infinity and the elegance of water's pure form, "O" pays

tribute to the beauty of the theatre - from the simplest street

performance to the most lavish of operas - where anything is possible

and where the drama of life plays itself out before our very eyes.

World-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers and characters

perform in, on, and above water to create a breathtaking experience.

La Nouba
I always was able to see this show, (my very first).
I was on a vacation to Disney World and it sounded cool,
I got more than what I expected.

Conceptually, Dragone and Laliberté decided to portray La Nouba as a

fairy tale. Assistant designer Michel Crête noted "We were at Disney,

so we were influenced by a world of fables." The set design is built to

give the perception of an old attic where the performers tell the

audience a story.[4] "La Nouba", which originates from the French

phrase "faire la Nouba" which means "to party," contrasts stories

through two groups of people: one colourful and the other

monochromatic.

Saltimbanco

Saltimbanco -from the Italian "saltare in banco", which literally means

"to jump on a bench"-explores the urban experience in all its myriad

forms: the people who live there, their idiosyncrasies and likenesses,

families and groups, the hustle and bustle of the street and the

towering heights of skyscrapers. Between whirlwind and lull, prowess

and poetry, Saltimbanco takes spectators on an allegorical and

acrobatic journey into the heart of the city.

Saltimbanco is a Cirque du Soleil signature show inspired by the urban

fabric of the metropolis and its colorful inhabitants. Decidedly

baroque in its visual vocabulary, the show's eclectic cast of

characters draws spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world, an

imaginary city where diversity is a cause for hope.


EXTRA


Fire Within
The Casting, Training, and Production of Varekai
Exclusive Behind the Scenes
I watched the entire thing, I got the box set :D



What I Say About Cirque:

Cirque Du Soleil was an absolutely amazing experience.
And as corny as it sounds, it definately changed me as a person.
It gave me a much larger appreciation for art and of life. I
don't know how, but I seemed to look at everything in such a
different way, I am so grateful that I was ever to see it.
After my first show (La Nouba) I think I was in a daze for the
rest of my vacation and on. Then my second show (Varekai) gave me
inspiration for most anything I needed, like for writing and such.
I am soon to see Saltimbanco, which I cannot wait for in February.

This took 2 hours to make, so please be nice :)

Originally Posted by cridgit001 (Post 640138) I saw them in Houston once. Really good. I was 2 rows from the stage:).

Originally Posted by cridgit001 (Post 640149) I think you hold the record for longest post. But yeah, I don't remember the name of it though.

Originally Posted by Naoko (Post 640315) I want to see them sooo badly! <3 They came out here to St. Louis I think last year or the year before...I forget lol, and I was so upset since I was still a student and money was tight and the tickets were so expensive >< ; ;