Youngsters form junior circus under Cirque Du Soleil programme
By Rita Zahara, Channel NewsAsia
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/184290/1/.html
SINGAPORE : For the first time in Singapore, 65 youths and children have put up a circus under the tutelage of a Cirque Du Soleil trainer.
Cirque Du Soleil’s community arm, Cirque Du Monde, is a highly successful international programme in circus know-how.
Since 1993, the outreach programme has been helping disadvantaged youths worldwide, in South Africa, Belgium, Brazil, Chile and now Singapore.
The teenagers have come a long way since they started learning circus routines four months ago.
After gruelling and tireless training, these novices are ready for the stage.
They may not be a world-class circus act with dramatic stunts but the teenagers certainly know how to combine circus arts with street funk, something which is close to their hearts.
Said Chan Bo Rui, a performer in the pyramid routine, “As base we have to train to become stronger so as to carry up and to maintain the safety of those who climb on top of us.”
Fairy performer Fawlyana Muhd Fauzi said, “By doing these, your body will also become quite flexible. So you see, I’m so big but I can do the stunts.”
The community project is a collaboration between Cirque Du Monde and Singapore’s Beyond Social Services and Tampines Family Service Centre.
The team of 44 crew members is headed by renowned Australian trainer Andrea Ousley.
Said Ms Ousley, “It really helps people learn about being an effective part of a community because you can’t build a pyramid unless you all work together. The kids actually learn what it is to work together, so hopefully that then translates to the rest of their lives.”
The show is expected to tour Singapore’s heartlands in 2006.
