“KÀ — Duality in Motion, a Personal Q&A”
By: Ricky Russo – Orlando, Florida (USA)
* * *
Since September 15th, the day official word about Cirque’s newest production KÀ (to be housed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas) was released there has been copious amounts of buzz regarding its announcement, in both media and fan circles. So much so that a plethora of questions has arisen regarding the production and sometimes those answers aren’t forthcoming.
They certainly weren’t for this writer, who was quite preoccupied out of his home country — in the city of Kyoto to be exact — embarking on the second phase of a planned trip to Japan. I recall with clarity eyeing the announcement as I read my email messages at K’s Backpacker’s House with curiosity, asking myself… what is this KÀ really all about?
Up to that point I hadn’t bothered to educate myself on the production, lest it be spoiled before I had a chance to see it premiere. And yet I felt drawn to it in a strange sort of way… wanting to learn a bit more before the curtain rose. In our last issue we touched briefly what KA was all about, but now, however, I’d like to take the opportunity to explore the questions I asked about the production and thereby perhaps answering some of those you, our faithful readers, may have.
Q. What does KÀ mean?
A. According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, in Egyptian mythology it is written the human soul is made up of five distinct parts: the Ka, Akh, Ba, Shadow and the Name. The Ka, therefore, was the spiritual soul of a person, which existed in tandem in a double relationship with the living being and continued throughout the afterlife. Readers with knowledge of the Japanese language may also recognize the word “ka,” a particle, which is used to change a statement sentence into a question and for comparisons, among other things. Cirque du Soleil may also have had this in mind for the show’s logo, which has been influenced by Asian iconography. Fans may be interested to know that KÀ’s working title was “duality”.
Q. What is KÀ about?
A. KÀ is all about duality, or the concept of twins. It is that concept, one of duality (“personified by the twins and the symbolic use of fire”), which is reflected in the show’s vision and therefore transfers to the show’s title.
According to the Cirque du Soleil press release regarding this new production, KÀ combines “acrobatic performances, martial arts, puppetry, multimedia and pyrotechnics to illustrate the nature of duality [and] tells the epic saga of separated twins-a boy and a girl-who embark on a perilous journey to fulfill their linked destinies. As the plot unfolds, danger lies in wait for them at every turn. Archers and spearmen hunt the twins relentlessly, as their quest takes them through a succession of challenging landscapes, from mysterious seashore through menacing mountains and foreboding forests.”
Q. Who is behind KÀ?
A. Fans will recognize many names amongst this list as being veteran Cirque du Soleil conceptors: Guy Laliberté – Guide, Robert Lepage – Creator and Director, Guy Caron – Director of Creation, Mark Fisher – Set Designer, Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt – Costume Designer, René Dupéré – Composer and Arranger, Jacques Heim – Choreographer, Luc Lafortune – Lighting Designer, Jonathan Deans – Sound Designer, Holger Förterer – Interactive Projections Designer, Michael Curry – Puppet Designer, Patricia Ruel – Props Designer, Jaque Paquin – Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer, André Simard – Aerial Acrobatics Designer, and Nathalie Gagné – Make-up Designer. It may be interesting to note that during the creation process, veteran Cirque du Soleil composer Benoit Jutras was considered and rumored as the production’s composer.
Q. How much did KÀ Cost to produce?
A. According to the Las Vegas Sun, Cirque du Soleil spent $30 million to bring KA to fruition. The MGM Grand spent $135 million on the theater, brining a total price tag of approximately $165 million US. To bring this number into perspective, it was reported that it cost $66 million to produce Zumanity at the NY-NY Hotel/Casino, the $90 million US cost for “O” at Bellagio ($70 million theater/$20 million production) and the $20 million US plus for Mystère at Treasure Island.
Q. How many/what are the acts?
A. During the media preview at least one of the “acts” was presented, called “The Wheel of Death”. The Wheel is a remarkable looking contraption that seems more like a ride that might be found on your local fair’s midway than in a Cirque du Soleil show. It consists of two “wheels” attached at the end of two moving arms in which performers climb into, around and on top to perform their feats of acrobatics.
The actual list of “acts” has not been presented, however, there has been rumors. Such tidbits include that the show will feature “acrobatic dance, martial arts, puppets, bungee aerial acts, and trampolines.”
Also, at one time, the Cirque du Soleil casting website was looking for acrobats to fill certain personages: the Evil Counselor and the Blind Man: The Evil Counselor is the principal character in this new show. He’s described as a “poisonous character and [a] power-hungry manipulator (like Shakespeare’s Iago or Richard III).” The Blind Man is also a principal character, old, wise, and will personify an African wizard.
Q. How many performers are in KÀ?
A. There are currently 72 performers in KÀ.
Q. What is the KÀ Theater like?
A. Not too many details regarding the KÀ Theater have been released up to this point, but suffice it to say the theater is a remarkable performance space. It sits 1,951 patrons and, as reported above, came at a cost of $135 million US.
Previously the spectacular shows EFX and EFX Alive occupied that space, however, if you’ve seen them and know the theater well get ready for a shock — the space was totally renovated and remade to specifically house KÀ. It is said there is no definable stage, as we know it. Instead the fixed stage has been replaced by “a fog-filled ‘void'” in which platforms and riggings move in and out as needed.
“There are a lot of things here that people will see that so far have been done only in movies and television with special effects. Here it is for real,” said Guy Laliberté. It’s “the most theatrical show we’ve ever done.”
Q. When does KÀ premiere?
A. Special preview performances begin on November 26, 2004 at 8:00pm.One show per evening will be held from November 26th through December 7th, where at that time a two show per-night schedule will begin at 7:00pm and 10:30pm (though this may change). KÀ is scheduled to perform Friday through Tuesday (Dark Wednesday/Thursday). Children under five-years of age are not permitted into the theater and guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are currently available for purchase at www.ka.com in three categories. Section 102 (front and center) commands a $150.00 US price, Sections 101, 103, 202 are $125.00 US and Sections 201 and 203 are $99.00 US. All prices include tax.
