A radiantly dressed acrobat unrolls his body after a flip and easily lands on a flexible bar. A sad clown with a big red nose hugs himself with one hand, pretending he has company.
An aerialist spins madly on a swing, preparing for a risky high-flying jump. The tricks of Cirque du Soleil are classics of circus art and are hardly unique. So what is the secret component that makes it so special?
“Cirque du Soleil is quality, quality and quality,” says artistic director Bruno Darmagnac, sipping his coffee in the hall of Premier Palace hotel in Kyiv.
Darmagnac arrived in Kyiv on June 2, two weeks before the rest of the cast, to start preparations for a series of shows on June 20-28.
In its second visit to Ukraine, Cirque du Soleil is set to perform Alegria (Spanish for “joy”), the company’s signature show. The show was first staged 19 years ago and has toured the world ever since. Darmagnac has been its artistic director for the last two years.
“With Alegria, Cirque du Soleil has found its style,” Darmagnac says. “This December it is going to rest to give way for new shows. So it’s the last chance to see Alegria.”
Darmagnac admits that Cirque du Soleil, among the world’s most popular circus acts, is not a circus in the classical sense. Animals are not a part of the performances, and its acts are always united by a story and theme. This is what makes Cirque du Soleil stand out from the typical circus troupe touring Ukraine.
Of course, that difference is reflected in the price, too. Tickets to Alegria start at Hr 420, which is about six times more than any local circus charges. The shows will take place in Kyiv’s Palats Sportu.
Twenty-two trucks, one and a half of which is filled just with costumes, will bring Alegria to Kyiv on June 17, three days before the opening night on June 20. “It’s a big monster, yes,” says Darmagnac.
In Alegria, the action is set in a kingdom that has lost its king, and each act is a chapter of a developing story, showing how the king’s entourage and young generation fight for power.
The show is one of 19 currently running throughout the world under the Cirque du Soleil brand. Unlike the newer exhibits, the almost two decade old Alegria doesn’t feature any special effects, so it is the artists that have to create the spectacle: As many as 56 of them participate in the show, including six musicians, two singers and three clowns. The show’s wardrobe counts over 600 pieces. Each is tailor-made for the particular acrobat and each mask is molded to fit a specific face.
The troupe of Alegria is multinational, and one of the lead singers is Ukrainian, as are several acrobats. “They are very excited to perform here,” says Darmagnac.
According to him, nationality matters when it comes to an audience’s reaction to Alegria. While Austrians usually keep still during the show, Spanish people cheer and react very strongly. But Darmagnac struggles to remember where he saw a little girl with arguably the most endearing reaction.
“She came with her teddy bear, and she would sit him on her head to make sure he sees the show. Of course, people behind her weren’t happy, but it was still very cute,” he says, laughing.
While children’s reactions are always precious, Cirque du Soleil shows are enjoyable for all ages, says Darmagnac. “The mix of theater and acrobatics – it works on everyone,” he adds.
Alegria by Cirque du Soleil
June 20-23, June 25-28
Palats Sportu
Shows start at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. or 7 p.m.
Hr 420-890
www.cirquedusoleil.com
Kyiv Post staff writer Olga Rudenko can be reached at rudenko@kyivpost.com
