Quidam

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Quidam
Quidam logo
Company Cirque du Soleil
Genre Contemporary circus
Show type Touring production
Date of premiere April 23, 1996
Creative team
Writer and director Franco Dragone
Director of creation Gilles Ste-Croix
Senior artistic director Richard Dagenais
Artistic director Fabrice Lemire
Composer Benoît Jutras
Costume designer Dominique Lemieux
Set designer Michel Crête
Lighting designer Luc Lafortune
Choreographer Debra Brown
Sound designer François Bergeron
Make-up designer Nathalie Gagné
Artistic guide Guy Laliberté
Other information
Preceded by Alegría (1994)
Succeeded by O (1998)
Official website

Quidam (pron.: /kˈdɑːm/ kee-DAHM) is the ninth stage show produced by Cirque du Soleil. It premiered in April 1996 and has now been watched by millions of spectators around the world.[1] Quidam originated as a big top show since its premiere in Montreal, but has since been converted into an arena format beginning with its 2010 tour in North America.[2]

The entire show is imagined by a bored young girl named Zoé who is alienated and ignored by her parents. She dreams up the whimsical world of Quidam as a means of escaping the monotony of her life.[1]

The show's title refers to the feature character, a man without a head, carrying an umbrella and a bowler hat. Quidam is said to be the embodiment of both everyone and no one at the same time. According to Cirque du Soleil literature "Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past. ... One who cries out, sings and dreams within us all."[1]

History [edit]

Quidam has won awards for some of its acts throughout its production history.

  • Banquine, 1999 Golden Clown at the International Monte Carlo Circus Festival.[3]
  • Diabolos, 1995 Gold Medal at Festival du Cirque de Demain[3]

Set and technical information [edit]

The minimalistic stage was designed by Michel Crête to represent a monolithic structure such as an airport or train station where people are always coming to and from. The major set element includes the five, all-aluminum, 120-foot (36.57-meter) arches above the stage, known as the téléphérique. These allow performers to be transported onto and off the stage from above. Each rail of the téléphérique has two trolleys: one to raise and lower the performer or equipment, and the second to transport it onto or off the stage. As for the stage floor itself, it is made of aluminum decks with a perforated, rubber-type mat. The perforations, of which there are over 200,000, allow light to pass through from below the stage, creating various visual effects.[1]

Cast [edit]

The cast of Quidam has over 50 acrobats, musicians, singers, and characters, some of which are detailed below.[1][4][5]

  • Zoé: She is the principal character in Quidam. Although average in nature, she longs for excitement.
  • Father: Completely, though unwittingly, self-absorbed. His white shoes are the only indication of a hidden personality.
  • Mother: Conveys an air of absence and alienation. Inside her lie fear, frustration, and desire.
  • Quidam: The show's titular character, who is anonymous, everyone, and no one. He may have stepped out of a surrealist painting or been conjured up out of Zoé's imagination.
  • John: Part game-show host and part substitute teacher who is the guide through the world of Quidam. Also is represented as a father figure to Zoé hence him stepping into her fathers shoes.
  • Target: A living human bullseye fired at by everyone, but is always smiling.
  • Chiennes Blanches: The silent chorus, the nameless and the faceless, the dehumanized, mechanical crowd, simultaneously leading and following. They also accompany the principal characters as they make their entrances and exits.
  • Boum-Boum: Enjoys screaming at the audience and walking away proudly, but will run away if an audience member screams back.
  • Rabbit: A minor character who chases and gets chased by other characters.
  • Aviator: A character who has skeletal wings who looks like he is not ready to take off.
  • Les Égarés: Lost individuals who gather together in the streets and abandoned buildings of Quidam. They perform in the banquine act.

Acts [edit]

Quidam combines a mix of acrobatic skills and traditional circus acts. These acts are listed below.[1][3][6]

  • Cyr wheel: An acrobat performs tricks within a Cyr wheel.
  • Diabolo: A performer manipulate diabolos (i.e. Chinese yo-yo), which are two sticks linked by a string on which a wooden spool balances.
  • Skipping ropes: Drawing inspiration from dance, acrobatics, and the art of manipulation, a group of 20 acrobats performs this familiar child's game in a steady stream of solo, duo, and group jumps and figures.
  • Aerial hoops: Two performers use hoops attached to the ceiling to perform various tricks.
  • Handbalancing: Using strength and balance, a performer contorts into different poses while on balancing canes.
  • Spanish webs: Artists fly over the stage, attached to trolleys on the overhead tracks. In turn or as a group, they occasionally perform a sudden drop, stopped only by the ropes looped around their waists or ankles.
  • Statue: Two acrobats perform hand to hand.
  • Banquine: An Italian acrobatic tradition going back to the Middle Ages that combines gymnastics and ballet. Showcasing the agility of the human body, up to 15 artists perform sequences of feats and human pyramids with their perfectly synchronized movements.

Acts in rotation [edit]

  • Juggling: Up to 5 balls fly through the air, with additional manipulation of a briefcase, umbrella, and bowler hat.

Retired acts [edit]

  • Manipulation
  • Aerial straps: Two artists grasp cords that dangle from the overhead rails, sometimes performing on the ground, sometimes in the air.
  • Hoops: A sensational routine involving up to 20 spinning hoops that a seductive performer manipulates all over her body, combining the agility and skill of a gymnast with the flexibility of a contortionist, the dexterity of a juggler, and the grace of a ballerina.
  • German wheel: An acrobat performs tricks within a German wheel.
  • Cloud swing: An unique combination of Trapeze and Spanish web techniques are combined in this act.

Costumes [edit]

Quidam's costume designer, Dominique Lemieux, drew inspiration from Surrealist art, particularly the works of René Magritte and Paul Delvaux. The costumes convey the alienation of the characters and represent an urban landscape through the use of painted textures and fabrics. The dominant color throughout Quidam is grey, but is supplemented by deep, rich, warm colors and embellished with metals. Quidam was the first Cirque du Soleil show to utilize everyday clothing for the outfits, although those in the acrobatic acts are modified. The fabric chosen for Quidam is primarily stretch linen, but also includes leather, jute, linen crepe, wool, velvet and 42 types of cotton.[7]

Quidam has approximately 250 costumes, 500 costume accessories, and 200-300 shoes. The reason for the large amount of costumes for the cast is that each artist has anywhere from 2 to 7 costumes, of which there are at least 2 spares. The costumes, although washed every day, can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.[1]

Music [edit]

Quidam’s music was composed by Benoît Jutras, and has been released in three album editions featuring additional songs, alternative new cover designs, and higher quality sounds. The first CD was released on January 14, 1997. (ASIN B000003G5M) The album features the voices of Audrey Brisson-Jutras and Mathieu Lavoie, with the exception of two bonus tracks sung by Brisson-Jutras and Richard Price on the extended CD released in 2001 (recorded live in Amsterdam, 1999).[8]

Below is a list of tracks as featured on the original 1997 release, alongside which the acts to which they accompany are listed. The two tracks on the 2001 extended album are also included at the end: Mìsere and Enfant d'Acier.[8]

  1. Atmadja (Opening)
  2. Incantation (German wheel)
  3. Marelle (Interlude)
  4. Rivage
    • Manipulation (1996–1998)
    • Juggling (1999–2004, 2006 onward)
  5. Zydeko (Skipping ropes)
  6. Let Me Fall (Aerial contortion in silk)
  7. Innocence (Skipping ropes)
  8. Carrousel
    • Clown act
    • Diabolos
    • Aerial hoops
  9. Steel Dream
    • Handbalancing (1996–1998)
    • Aerial straps (2004–2005)
  10. Seisouso
    • Aerial hoops
    • Cloud swing
  11. Réveil (Statues)
  12. Quidam (Finale)
  13. Misère (Banquine)
  14. Enfants d'Acier (Diabolos)

Tour [edit]

Quidam started as a Grand Chapiteau touring show before being fully converted to an arena touring show in 2010.[2] For a short period of time in 2009, Quidam toured the UK and IE in arena format before switching back to Grand Chapiteau when it went to South America.

Cirque du Soleil started using a customized tour bus as a method of helping to advertise Quidam during its tour in the Northeastern part of North America during the fall of 2011. During the shows stops in various cities, the tour bus makes appearances at local merchants, allowing people to meet part of the crew.[9]

The following colorboxes indicate the region of each performance:
  EU   Europe   NA   North America   SA   South and Central Americas   AP   Asia/Pacific   OC   Oceania

Arena tour [edit]

2012 schedule [edit]

  •   NA   Oshawa, ON - From 4 Jan 2012 to 8 Jan 2012
  •   NA   Windsor, ON - From 11 Jan 2012 to 15 Jan 2012
  •   NA   Detroit, MI - From 2 Feb 2012 to 5 Feb 2012
  •   NA   Hoffman Estates, IL - From 8 Feb 2012 to 12 Feb 2012
  •   NA   Springfield, IL - From 15 Feb 2012 to 19 Feb 2012
  •   NA   Baton Rouge, LA - From 22 Feb 2012 to 26 Feb 2012
  •   NA   Austin, TX - From 29 Feb 2012 to 4 Mar 2012
  •   NA   Frisco, TX - From 7 Mar 2012 to 11 Mar 2012
  •   NA   San Antonio, TX - From 14 Mar 2012 to 18 Mar 2012
  •   NA   Champaign, IL - From 21 Mar 2012 to 25 Mar 2012
  •   NA   Roanoke, VA - From 28 Mar 2012 to 1 Apr 2012
  •   NA   Knoxville, TN - From 4 Apr 2012 to 8 Apr 2012
  •   NA   Evansville, IN - From 26 Apr 2012 to 29 Apr 2012
  •   NA   Green Bay, WI - From 1 May 2012 to 2 May 2012
  •   NA   Duluth, MN - From 4 May 2012 to 6 May 2012
  •   NA   Sault Ste. Marie, ON - From 10 May 2012 to 13 May 2012
  •   NA   Saginaw, MI - From 16 May 2012 to 20 May 2012
  •   NA   East Lansing, MI - From 23 May 2012 to 27 May 2012
  •   NA   Grand Rapids, MI - From 30 May 2012 to 3 Jun 2012
  •   NA   Toledo, OH - From 6 Jun 2012 to 10 Jun 2012
  •   NA   Rockford, IL - From 13 Jun 2012 to 17 Jun 2012
  •   NA   St. Louis, MO - From 20 Jun 2012 to 24 Jun 2012
  •   NA   Indianapolis, IN - From 27 Jun 2012 to 1 Jul 2012
  •   NA   Winnipeg, MB - From 19 Jul 2012 to 22 Jul 2012
  •   NA   Regina, SK - From 25 Jul 2012 to 29 Jul 2012
  •   NA   Lethbridge, AB - From 1 Aug 2012 to 5 Aug 2012
  •   NA   Edmonton, AB - From 8 Aug 2012 to 12 Aug 2012
  •   NA   Kamloops, BC - From 15 Aug 2012 to 19 Aug 2012
  •   NA   Kelowna, BC - From 22 Aug 2012 to 26 Aug 2012
  •   NA   Abbotsford, BC - From 29 Aug 2012 to 2 Sep 2012
  •   NA   Victoria, BC - From 5 Sep 2012 to 9 Sep 2012
  •   NA   Spokane, WA - From 12 Sep 2012 to 16 Sep 2012
  •   NA   Honolulu, HI - From 4 Oct 2012 to 14 Oct 2012
  •   NA   Eugene, OR - From 25 Oct 2012 to 28 Oct 2012
  •   NA   West Valley City, UT - From 31 Oct 2012 to 4 Nov 2012
  •   NA   Broomfield, CO - From 7 Nov 2012 to 11 Nov 2012
  •   NA   Loveland, CO - From 14 Nov 2012 18 Nov 2012
  •   NA   Columbus, OH - From 6 Dec 2012 to 9 Dec 2012
  •   NA   Grand Forks, ND - From 14 Dec 2012 to 16 Dec 2012
  •   NA   Sioux City, IA - From 18 Dec 2012 to 20 Dec 2012
  •   NA   Des Moines, IA - From 22 Dec 2012 to 23 Dec 2012
  •   NA   Kansas City, MO - From 26 Dec 2012 to 30 Dec 2012

2013 schedule [edit]

  •   NA   Wichita, KS - From 2 Jan 2013 to 6 Jan 2013
  •   NA   Colorado Springs, CO - From 9 Jan 2013 to 13 Jan 2013
  •   NA   Rio Rancho, NM - From 16 Jan 2013 to 20 Jan 2013
  •   NA   El Paso, TX - From 23 Jan 2013 to 27 Jan 2013
  •   NA   Laredo, TX - From 29 Jan 2013 to 31 Jan 2013
  •   NA   Corpus Christi, TX - From 2 Feb 2013 to 3 Feb 2013
  •   NA   Hidalgo, TX - From 6 Feb 2013 to 10 Feb 2013
  •   NA   Little Rock, AR - From 28 Feb 2013 to 3 Mar 2013
  •   NA   Houston, TX - From 6 Mar 2013 to 10 Mar 2013
  •   NA   New Orleans, LA - From 13 Mar 2013 to 17 Mar 2013
  •   NA   Mobile, AL - From 20 Mar 2013 to 24 Mar 2013
  •   NA   North Charleston, SC - From 27 Mar 2013 to 31 Mar 2013
  •   NA   Charlottesvile, VA - From 3 Apr 2013 to 7 Apr 2013
  •   NA   Norfolk, VA - From 10 Apr 2013 to 14 Apr 2013
  •   NA   Greensboro, NC - From 17 Apr 2013 to 21 Apr 2013
  •   NA   Columbia, SC - From 24 Apr 2013 to 28 Apr 2013
  •   NA   Augusta, GA - From 30 Apr 2013 to 1 May 2013
  •   NA   Macon, GA - From 3 May 2013 to 5 May 2013
  •   NA   Savannah, GA - From 7 May 2013 to 9 May 2013
  •   NA   Columbus, GA - From 11 May 2013 to 12 May 2013
  •   NA   Orlando, FL - From 15 May 2013 to 19 May 2013
  •   NA   Cedar Rapids, IA - From 6 June 2013 to 9 June 2013
  •   NA   Dayton, OH - From 12 Jun 2013 to 16 Jun 2013
  •   NA   Louisville, KY - From 19 Jun 2013 to 23 Jun 2013
  •   NA   Nashville, TN - From 26 Jun 2013 to 30 Jun 2013
  •   NA   Charlotte, NC - From 3 Jul 2013 to 7 Jul 2013
  •   NA   Raleigh, NC - From 10 Jul 2013 to 14 Jul 2013
  •   NA   Fairfax, VA - From 17 Jul 2013 to 21 Jul 2013
  •   NA   Brooklyn, NY - From 24 Jul 2013 to 28 Jul 2013
  •   NA   Sunrise, FL - From 31 Jul 2013 to 4 Aug 2013
  •   NA   Estero, FL - From 7 Aug 2013 to 11 Aug 2013
  •   EU   Graz, AT - From 5 Sep 2013 to 8 Sep 2013
  •   EU   Vienna, AT - From 11 Sep 2013 to 15 Sep 2013
  •   EU   Leipzig, DE - From 18 Sep 2013 to 22 Sep 2013
  •   EU   Stuttgart, DE - From 25 Sep 2013 to 29 Sep 2013
  •   EU   Innsbruck, AT - From 2 Oct 2013 to 6 Oct 2013
  •   EU   Salzburg, AT - From 9 Oct 2013 to 13 Oct 2013
  •   EU   Munich, DE - From 16 Oct 2013 to 20 Oct 2013
  •   EU   Cologne, DE - From 23 Oct 2013 2013 to 27 Oct 2013
  •   EU   Frankfort, DE - From 30 Oct 2013 to 3 Nov 2013
  •   EU   Dortmund, DE - From 6 Nov 2013 to 10 Nov 2013
  •   EU   Mannheim, DE - From 13 Nov 2013 to 17 Nov 2013
  •   EU   Malaga, ES - From 5 Dec 2013 to 8 Dec 2013
  •   EU   Zaragoza, ES - From 11 Dec 2013 to 15 Dec 2013
  •   EU   Sevilla, ES - From 18 Dec 2013 to 22 Dec 2013

2014 schedule [edit]

Grand Chapiteau tour [edit]

1996 schedule [edit]

  •   NA   Montréal, QC – From 23 Apr 1996 (show première)
  •   NA   Ste-Foy, QC – From 4 Jul 1996
  •   NA   Toronto, ON – From 8 Aug 1996
  •   NA   Santa Monica, CA – From 25 Sep 1996

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Quidam Press Kit". Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit). Retrieved 2011-03-03. 
  2. ^ a b "Quidam performers adapt to the arena". Montréal Gazette. 2010-12-11. Retrieved 2011-03-03. 
  3. ^ a b c "Quidam Acts". Cirque du Soleil (Press Material). Retrieved 2011-03-03. 
  4. ^ "Quidam Characters". Cirque du Soleil (Press Material). Retrieved 2011-03-03. 
  5. ^ "About Debra Brown". debralynnbrown.com. Retrieved 2011-03-05. 
  6. ^ "Quidam Acts". Cirque Tribune. Retrieved 2011-03-03. 
  7. ^ Clément, Ronald (2009). Cirque du Soleil 25 Years of Costumes (in CN, EN, FR, JP). Canada: Dépôt légal, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. pp. 40–45. ISBN 978-2-9803493-4-8. 
  8. ^ a b "Music – Quidam". Cirque Tribune. Retrieved 2011-03-24. 
  9. ^ "Quidam Road Trip". Cirque du Soleil. Retrieved 2011-DEC-19. 

External links [edit]