CirqueTech – Saltimbanco Facts, Part II: The Village on Wheels

On December 11, 2006, the curtain fell once again on Saltimbanco, Cirque du Soleil’s 1992 production celebrating life. Created as an antidote to the violence and despair typical of the 20th century, this phantasmagorical show proposes a new vision of urbanity, overflowing with optimism and happiness. To mark this point in time, Fascination presents the following facts from the Cirque archives in three parts – Part 1: The Kitchen, Part 2: The Village on Wheels, and Part 3: The Final Call.

Part II: The Village on Wheels

Did you know that…

  • Cirque du Soleil’s “village on wheels” holds 3 different tents: the Grand Chapiteau, the entrance tent and an artistic tent? Together they occupy a total surface of 3.263,50 m²?
  • 7 days of intensive work are required for the set-up; dismantling takes 2 days? To accomplish both tasks 6,000 man hours are needed.
  • The entire area of this “village on wheels” covers 20,000 m²?
  • Saltimbanco’s “village on wheels” consists of a box office, a kitchen, even a school and various offices housing departments such as: administration, production, artistic, technical, public services, communications and tour management?
  • the Grand Chapiteau is 17 meters high and the 4 four masts are 25 meters high?
  • the Grand Chapiteau has a diameter of 50 meters and seats 2,500 spectators?
  • 134 side poles and 450 pegs are necessary to anchor the Grand Chapiteau?
  • the Grand Chapiteau is set up by 80 people over a 12 hour period?
  • 4,500 m² of asphalt is used as a base for the Grand Chapiteau and the public spaces?
  • the power for the “village” comes from 3 generators of 350KW each? The village is completely self-sufficient except for water and telephone lines.
  • a total 28.5 kilometers of cable is used? 3.5 km of cable is used for lighting, 2.5 km for sound, 10 km for electricity, 1.5 km of telephone wire and 11 km of steel cable.
  • to mount Saltimbanco through Europe 64 unites on 58 trailers carrying 850 tons of equipment are needed?
  • the Show support consists of 24 people: 1 Artistic Coordinator, 1 Technical Show Director, 2 physiotherapists, 2 coaches and the show crew consisting of 2 people for lighting, 2 for sound, 5 backstage technicians, 2 riggers, 1 head carpenter, 1 prop person, 2 stage managers, 3 costume shop workers?
  • the whole technical department employs electricians, plumbers, welders, site and tent maintenance personnel?

{ Source: Cirque du Soleil Press Room }