There’s no mistaking the world-wide appeal of Cirque du Soleil with nineteen different shows active this year. That’s nine that are traveling the world, and ten that are based in cities like Las Vegas and Orlando. It’s amazing to think that a circus that features no traditional-like animal performances has been attended by 15 million people last year and 155 million since 1984. Contributing to that appeal and success is their new traveling arena show “Toruk: The First Flight,” that began it’s run just a month ago.
“Toruk,” is based upon the story from the world famous “Avatar” film. The performances are built around a story that takes place a thousand years before the film in which characters go on a journey to save their magical tree.
There’s a certain mystery behind being a circus performer and “Toruk” aerialist, Giulia Piolanti, sheds some light for us.
Q. Tell us about your role on the show?
I play Tsyal, a young woman, fearless and strong. She’s the link with the two boys to help them on their quest. She comes from the Tawkami Clan, performing a solo Tissu act while she collects the special seeds that are one of the key objects needed. She’s extremely elegant in her feline movements. As an older teenager, she’s pretty stubborn and she goes against her clan and her father because she believes Ralu and Entu. She doesn’t want to miss the opportunity to be part of this journey with them. < (i>Tissu performance is when an artists performs aerial acrobatics while hanging from a special fabric while suspended without the use of safety lines. They use the fabric to wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral their bodies into and out of various positions.)
Q. How demanding physically is your role and chosen career as a performer?
The biggest difference between this role and other Cirque du Soleil shows that I’ve done is the time I spend on stage. My energy in this show has to last for basically 70 minutes, while in other productions my involvement in the show was 5 minutes in a solo number. Here I have to be realistic and present in my character for the whole show. In addition to that, my physical performance includes lots of running, jumping, climbing, and a solo Tissu Act.
Q. What’s the process for your show preparation?
At the moment we work four days a week, from Thursday to Sunday. The days are pretty long, starting at about 11 AM. The first day of the week is all about validations for all the acrobatic equipment we have in the show. On the weekend, we perform two shows daily. The makeup is an important section of the day because it takes between 1 ½ hour and 2 hours and it’s definitely the first step that makes you feel you are a Na’vi. Another difference for me on this show, is my costume is full of wires. That takes a little bit of time as well. Because I talk during the show (Na’vi words), I have a mic. And to constantly have a follow spot on me we are using a new technology called BlackTrax that requires sensors be placed in my costume. Of course as a performer the warm up moment is essential and usually it takes 45 minutes before the beginning of the show. From when I start my makeup it’s about 3 ½ hours to fully be ready to step on stage.
Q. What’s it like performing for you personally with Cirque?
It’s been 8 years that I work for Cirque du Soleil and this is my third production. And I still feel the same enthusiasm and passion like I did the first day that I stepped on stage with the company. It’s an amazing company to work with and I could not desire anything better.
Q. What is it about this particular show that audiences will fall in love with?
TORUK gives to people two hours of visuals that you’ve only seen a dream. In this 21st Century, this show can bring hope. The beauty of the world is still there, we just need to see it and protect it.
{ SOURCE: Allie Hanley, Houston Examiner | http://goo.gl/dWPgkN }
