Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter.
The biggest news to share this month comes out of Montreal with the introduction of Cirque’s newest big top show for 2017 – VOLTA – which was announced to the world via social media on Friday, November 4th. In addition to the name, we were also enlightened to the show’s story and theme: “WAZ, a popular gameshow host, has lost touch with his inner self in the pursuit of fame, pulling others in the trap of instant glory. But as doubt sets in, WAZ is enlightened by childhood memories as he encounters ‘free spirits’ who open doors to his inner soul he has long kept shut. On his high-voltage search for meaning, will WAZ find the courage to relinquish his fame, reconnect with his true self, and shine bright? VOLTA tells a spellbinding story about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail. Inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of action sports, the show weaves the adrenaline rush of acrobatics into a visually striking world driven by a stirring melodic score. VOLTA is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and the power of the group to make that possible. It celebrates freedom as a movement.”
Interesting, no? We’ve heard the rumors now for weeks/months that the theme for Cirque2017 – VOLTA – would revolve around extreme sports in some way. I’ve accepted this as an potential fascinating creative leap, but I’m not sure hanging the storyline on a gameshow character – especially one named WAZ – was a good creative choice. However, we’re still in the development phase and it’s possible some of the material unveiled will change between now and April. After all, in poetry, the volta, or turn, is a rhetorical shift or dramatic change in thought and/or emotion. So anything is possible! Also interestingly to note is VOLTA, much like it’s most recent brethren (Septimo Dia, Luzia, TORUK, and Kurios), comes with a tagline: FIND YOUR FREE (ENVOLE-TOI in French). I’m not sure these taglines – such as “No Descansare” for Septimo Dia, “A Waking Dream of Mexico” for Luzia, “Cabinet of Curiosities” for Kurios, and “The First Flight” for TORUK – are really necessary, but the trend continues. What do you think? And perhaps more importantly, what do you think a tagline for earlier Cirque shows could have been had they included one? What would Mystere’s be? Or Quidam’s? La Nouba? “O”? (Varekai is excluded… as it received a tagline as part of its arena revamp in 2014: “Tales of the Forest”)
All I could come up with was… “QUIDAM: FIND YOUR FAMILY”, “MYSTERE: ROAM THE UNIVERSE”, and, a little tongue-in-cheek, “KA: MARTIAL THOSE ARTS” and “CORTEO: TEARS OF A CLOWN” Hmm… what about you?
VOLTA comes under the direction of Bastien Alexandre (Director) and Jean Guibert (Director of Creation), Quebec designers who worked together on the opening ceremony of the Toronto Pan American Games last year. And if you’re a member of CirqueClub you can purchase tickets today! (Get’em here: https://goo.gl/Azp1up) VOLTA premieres on the quays of the old port of Montreal on Thursday, April 20, 2017!
Speaking of Luzia, on October 9th, LUZIA celebrated its 200th show since the World Premiere back in April. “Thank you to more than 400,000 audience members who have attended one of our performances since then!” Congratulations Luzia! And, in case you missed it, JOYA has a new Bungee Straps act! Yoann Benhamou, previously of KOOZA, has joined the show as of October 10th. “With a high level of difficulty, Yohann needs to manage his strength, gravity, speed and dance all at the same time during his act!” (https://goo.gl/FMKjU9) Additionally, the cast of LOVE will be attending The Royal Variety Performance for a special anniversary presentation. The RVP will take place on Tuesday, December 6th and will be screened on ITV later in the month.
The other really exciting development this past month came out of Mexico, with the leak of even more artwork from the Cirque du Soleil resort project now under development from Grupo Vidanta & The Goddard Group – and Theme Park University website, which has covered the park since it was first announced, was one of the first to release these new images. “This place is jaw dropping,” they said. How exciting! The water park will open with the first phase of the park. The Garden Of The Nature Spirit, which is described as a “hidden cove nestled around The Cascades Resort, a giant stone sentinel presides over formal pools and statuary gardens. In a first-of-its kind themed attraction, guests are able to take a wild ride down the living vines emanating from the giant statue’s jeweled crown.” What is most unique about this water park is that it will be performance based. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Cirque du Soleil will have shows in and around you as you splash around this part of the park. Nothing like this has ever been done before in a water park setting. Make no mistake about it, this will be the most unique water park experience on the planet and it goes far beyond slides and wave pools! This would not be possible, of course, without Vidanta. The Cirque du Soleil theme park will be surrounded by several hotels / timeshares, which Vidanta has several of scattered around Mexican hotspots. The hotels are also Cirque themed and are inspired / look equally as impressive. Check out the new art-work here: https://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=9205.
Although I’ve neglected to mention it due to time constraints and other issues, CirqueCast continues to produce wonderful episodes for fans – and I’m excited to still be part of it! Since I last spoke about the project back in Issue #151, three more episodes have been released to the public. Check ’em out below!
o) EPISODE 7 – LUZIA REVIEW PART 1 + ARTISTS INTERVIEW Join us this episode as we review Luzia, Cirque du Soleil’s newest Big Top production. And for our feature this month, we interview Luzia artists Kelly McDonald (Adagio), Devin Henderson (Hoop Diving), and Rachel Salzman (Cyr Wheel). LINK /// https://youtu.be/fOaENCBCtYI o) EPISODE 8 – LUZIA REVIEW PART 2 + BACKSTAGE TOUR Join us this episode as we continue our review of Luzia. And for our feature, Heather Reilly, Luzia’s Company Manager, gives us a backstage look at some of the show’s costumes and props! LINK /// https://youtu.be/UiKyOZ7xrSo o) EPISODE 9 - DAVID RESNICK INTERVIEW David Resnick is an acrobat currently touring with TOTEM, currently in Japan. Watch our exclusive interview where David shares his experience with Cirque du Soleil, including how he made it to the famous circus. Want to know what Cirque show David is going to next? Watch to find out! LINK /// https://youtu.be/PGZ_WjI8sKM
We’ll have another discussion episode out shortly, so please follow us on FACEBOOK, and YOUTUBE to be notified about our next exciting episode!
And last, but certainly not least is our monthly look at Paramour grosses.
Week This Week Potential Difference Seats % Cap Ending Gross Grosses in Dollars Sold ------------------------------------------------------------------ 04-Sep $890,754.60 $1,592,392.00 $337,331.90 10,218 76.99% 11-Sep $892,797.05 $1,805,456.00 $2,042.45 11,122 73.33% 18-Sep $999,384.45 $1,805,456.00 $106,587.50 12,739 83.99% 25-Sep $800,590.15 $1,805,456.00 -$198,794.30 9,744 64.24% 02-Oct $796,008.80 $1,805,456.00 -$4,581.35 9,903 65.29% 09-Oct $929,646.25 $1,805,456.00 $133,637.45 11,024 72.68% 16-Oct $942,631.85 $1,805,456.00 $12,985.60 11,261 74.24% 23-Oct $1,060,597.10 $1,805,456.00 $117,965.25 12,650 83.40% 30-Oct $1,005,388.40 $1,805,456.00 -$55,208.70 12,437 81.99% 06-Nov $884,873.95 $1,805,456.00 -$120,514.45 10,981 72.40%
The show seems to be doing A-OK. Join us within as our friend Douglas Metzger has reviewed PARAMOUR again following the show’s revamp and has some pretty good things to say about it. Check it out!
Well, that’s all I have time for this month. Let’s get to the rest!
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