After my first Cirque du Soleil show three years ago, I left the
performance’s trademark blue and yellow tent with my jaw dropped
down past my knees. But when people asked me to describe the show,
I couldn’t find good way to do it. It was like nothing I had ever
seen before, and I had no way to prepare for such a show. Heck, I
thought I was going to a
”
circus
”
kind of circus
– you know, with animals and men being shot out of cannons.
After my first Cirque du Soleil show three years ago, I left the performance’s trademark blue and yellow tent with my jaw dropped down past my knees. But when people asked me to describe the show, I couldn’t find good way to do it. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, and I had no way to prepare for such a show. Heck, I thought I was going to a “circus” kind of circus – you know, with animals and men being shot out of cannons.
Now, after seeing my second show, Cirque du Soleil’s San Jose premiere of its newest piece called “Varekai,” I think I can give describing it a shot.
The show is dramatic and hilarious.
It is technical, yet loose.
It is colorful – both visually and emotionally.
It will make you rethink the boundaries of the human body and take a new look at its form and beauty.
It is at the same time graceful, dangerous and clumsy.
It is serious and funny.
It is amazing.
It is everything that making love should be, and yet it is a family show.
It will make you say “Oh, my gosh” or “Wow” more times than you ever have in one two-hour stretch.
It is a mix of gymnastics, acrobatics, strength, acting, dancing, live music and singing.
It transcends culture.
You’ll never be happier you shelled out nearly $50 for tickets to an event.
You’ll want to see it again.
And I still can’t do it justice.
“Varekai” begins with a young man named Icarus is released from the sky and falls to the ground. When he awakens, he finds himself in a strange new world – the land of Varekai.
As he starts to experience the land, he overcomes his fears and becomes more curious about his surroundings. He takes on a liking for one of Varekai’s creatures, Olga. As he makes his way through the land, he eventually is reborn. But most people underneath the tent aren’t paying any attention to the storyline because between these scenes are some of the most amazing acts they have ever seen.
The first thing one will notice in a Cirque du Soleil show is the elaborate set. More than 300 golden poles up to 35 feet high make up the forest setting of the land of Varekai, and are a common place for the characters to climb. The circular stage makes for plenty of room for the amazing acts from performers, but don’t be surprised if one of the actors ends up in your lap or walks by you playing an instrument.
As the show begins, one’s eyes are quickly averted to the costuming, which took more than 33,000 hours to produce. The characters of “Varekai” are bold and vibrant with the colorful lycra costumes designed by Eiko Ishioka. In all there are more than 130 costumes for the 50-plus actors that take the stage each night.
And then the magic begins. Without almost any English speaking, the inhabitants of the land of Varekai will bring their home to life and show that it is truly a land where the impossible becomes possible.
In the land of Varekai, the actors will amaze the audience, beginning with a street actor-like performance from The Skywatcher, who is played by American John Gilkey. After The Skywatcher opens the show, the amazing ancient discipline of the Icarian Games bring everyone to the front edge of their seats. Acrobats from the Ukraine, Italy, Russia and Spain give a spectacular and dangerous look at human juggling, as one man lays on his back and begins to flip another acrobat through the air and catch him – all with his feet, not to mention incredibly strong legs.
Next, three Chinese artists take the stage in what was, in my opinion, the most impressive and original act I had ever seen. The three young boys took ropes with “metal meteors” on each end and began whirling them around. They would throw the ropes in air and do tricks while catching them. At one point, one of the three threw his rop in the air, kicked it back up while rolling over another guy’s back and then caught it over his shoulders.
But the show isn’t just about acrobatic, jaw-dropping stunts. It’s a funny show, too. Comedians provide for laughs in a few segments, making for the closest thing you’ll see to your basic circus show. As the show goes on, the audience will be enthralled by dance, a triple trapeze act, juggling, hand balancing on canes, and the high-flying Russian swings.
The show is a testament to multiculturalism, with actors hailing from 13 different countries and speaking different languages. But language is not a barrier in a Cirque du Soleil show. Nearly all of the show is based on the actions and movements of the people on stage, not what they say. And their simple actions said a lot.
For the majority of the show, I wasn’t exactly sure what to keep my eyes on because so many amazing things were going on all at once.
During the show, I couldn’t help but look around at the expressions on people’s faces as they watched the show. I had to know if they were as blown away as I was at what I was watching. But no one looked back. Their eyes were glued to the action onstage.
“Varekai” played for sold out audiences in San Francisco before making its way here, and the blue and yellow tent is sure to be full throughout its run in San Jose. If you happen to be able to get your hands on some tickets, don’t be pushed away by the price. It is more than worth it for the experience.
Cirque du Soleil’s performances of “Varekai” is playing at the tent on Market Street adjacent to the Convention Center in downtown San Jose through Feb. 23. For more information call the box office at (800) 450-1480.
