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Dralion

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Dralion
Performers balance on illuminated lightbulbs in a Vienna performance of Dralion.
CompanyCirque du Soleil
GenreContemporary circus
Show typeTouring arena show
Date of premiereApril 22, 1999
Creative team
DirectorGuy Caron
Director of creationGilles Ste-Croix
Set designerStéphane Roy
ComposerViolaine Corradi
Costume designerFrançois Barbeau
Clown act designerMichel Dallaire
Lighting designerLuc Lafortune
ChoreographerJulie Lachance
Sound designerGuy Desrochers
General artistic directorSylvie Galarneau
Company founder and CEOGuy Laliberté
Other information
Preceded byLa Nouba (1998)
Succeeded byVarekai (2002)
Official website

Dralion (pronounced Drah-lee-on) is a touring production by the Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil. The show combines elements of traditional Chinese circus with Western contemporary circus, complementing the "East-meets-West" theme implied in the title — the name is a portmanteau of "dragon" (representing the East) and "lion" (representing the West). It is Cirque du Soleil's 12th touring production and the first Cirque show since 1985 not to be directed by Franco Dragone.[1]

Set and technical information

The backdrop for Dralion is a metallic structure 60 feet (18 m) in width and 26 feet (7.9 m) in height. It is covered in perforated aluminum tiles, giving it the appearance of medieval armor or a futuristic Chinese temple. Sitting atop the structure are six giant claws which allow performers to climb the wall and suspend in mid-air. Above the stage itself are three large concentric aluminum rings. The first is utilized as a catwalk; the second is used to support acrobatic equipment; and the third is used by performers to move up and down and suspend in the air.[2]

Cast

Dralion features 50 members in its performance troupe, of which about 5 or 6 play principal characters.[2]

  • Azala (air): The goddess of air who is dressed in blue, keeper of the sun and the guardian of immortality.
  • Gaya (earth): The goddess of earth, dressed in ochre.
  • Océane (water): The goddess of water, dressed in green.
  • Yao (fire): The god of fire, dressed in red, who is both good and evil.
  • L'Âme Force: The show's singers who symbolize harmony between the four elements.
  • Kala: Represents the heart of the wheel of time, making time evolve.
  • Little Buddha: The chosen child who possesses powers that will eventually allow him to become an Âme-Force, but dreams of being a regular child.
  • Dralions: Mythical creatures inspired by the imagery of the Chinese lion dance and dragon dance.
  • Clowns: The clowns manage to push this otherwise harmonious universe slightly off-kilter.

Acts

The acts of Dralion combine unique western and eastern acrobatic skills.[2][3]

  • Single handbalancing: A single woman balances on one hand and accomplishes a variety of poses.
  • Bamboo poles: Five acrobats twirl and throw 25-foot-long (7.6 m) bamboo poles while Yao waves a flag as the acrobats jump over it.
  • Juggling: An artist performs juggling infused with breakdancing and acrobatics.
  • Trampoline: A group of acrobats perform on trampolines using the set's futuristic backdrop both as a diving board and landing pad.
  • Dralions: Three acrobats and three Dralions perform tumbling feats and Chinese lion dance-like dance.
  • Medusa: A group of artists execute graceful and lithe movements, in the style of acrosport.
  • Aerial hoop: A single artist performs choreography using a hoop suspended in mid-air.
  • Spirits: Four couples perform a gravity-defying ballet.
  • Aerial pas de deux: Azala and her male counterpart perform an aerial dance in silks.
  • Hoop diving: Acrobats jump through a tower of hoops, which is sometimes spinning.
  • Skipping ropes: A group of acrobats perform jump rope alone or together in pyramids and in towers.

Rotation acts

  • Diabolo: Artists perform tricks with diabolos trying to outperform each other.
  • Balancing on chairs: An artist stacks chairs on top of one another and performs various hand balancing maneuvers on top of them.

Retired acts

Costumes

Dralion's costumes are vibrant in color; inspired by clothing from India, China, and Africa; and are shaped according to the movements of each performer's choreography.[4] In total there are around 1500 wardrobe pieces for the show, taking into account that some artists have up to four costume changes during a single performance.[5]

  • Yao: As the symbol of fire, Yao is clad in red.
  • Océane: As the goddess of water, Océane's costume is Indian inspired and green in color.
  • Azala: As the goddess of air, Azala's primary color is blue. Her dress is fashioned with Asian crystal beads.
  • Gaya: As the goddess of earth, Gaya's color is Ochre. Her costume is inspired by African designs.
  • L'Âme Force: The texture on the front of their golden costumes is made by moulding small plastic soldiers.
  • Dralions: The dralions are constructed from a mélange of items both natural and synthetic: lycra, leather, silk, mosquito netting, polystyrene foam, springs, raffia, horse hair, emu feathers, and other fabrics and decorations.

Music

With the company's departure from its longtime creative team, Dralion features the work of a new Cirque composer, French-Canadian composer Violaine Corradi.[6] The music of Dralion aims to be a fusion of sounds from East and West by the use of acoustic and electric instruments. Featuring rhythmic and lyrical motifs, the influences range from Indian melodies to sounds from Andalusia, Africa, Central Europe, and the West. Instruments used in the CD are drums, violin, winds, keyboards, guitar and percussion instructions. Released on November 9, 1999, Dralion’s soundtrack features the vocals of Basque counter-tenor Erik Karol, and Canadian female vocalist Agnès Sohier. The tracks for the CD are listed below, with their corresponding acts alongside in italics.[7]

The original album artwork of Dralion, 1999

Track listing

  1. Stella Errans (Single handbalancing)
  2. Ombra
    • Originally was for foot juggling and contortion with bowls, but currently is played during balancing on chairs.
  3. Spiritual Spiral '(Interlude)
  4. Miracula Æternitatis (Spirits)
  5. Bamboo (Bamboo poles)
  6. Ballare (Aerial Pas De Deux)
  7. Ravendhi (Teeterboard)
  8. Ninkou Latora (Double trapeze)
  9. Aborigenes Jam (Hoop diving).
  10. Hinkò (Ballet on lightbulbs)
  11. Kamandé (Skipping rope and finale)
Further information: Cirque du Soleil discography

Tour

Dralion started out as a touring show in 1999 traveling under the grand chapiteau, but was converted in 2010 to a format suitable for arenas.[8][9]

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

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Arena tour

2010-2011

2010 schedule

  •  NA   Trenton, NJ - From 21 Oct 2010 to 24 Oct 2010
  •  NA   Buffalo, NY - From 27 Oct 2010 to 31 Oct 2010
  •  NA   Reading, PA - From 3 Nov 2010 to 7 Nov 2010
  •  NA   Youngstown, OH - From 10 Nov 2010 to 14 Nov 2010
  •  NA   Windsor, ON - From 17 Nov 2010 to 21 Nov 2010
  •  NA   Oshawa, ON - From 24 Nov 2010 to 28 Nov 2010
  •  NA   Worcester, MA - From 16 Dec 2010 to 19 Dec 2010
  •  NA   Philadelphia, PA - From 21 Dec 2010 to 2 Jan 2011

2011 schedule

  •  NA   Boston, MA - From 5 Jan 2011 to 9 Jan 2011
  •  NA   Grand Rapids, MI - From 12 Jan 2011 to 16 Jan 2011
  •  NA   St. Louis, MO - From 19 Jan 2011 to 23 Jan 2011
  •  NA   Chicago, IL - From 26 Jan 2011 to 30 Jan 2011
  •  NA   Mobile, AL - From 2 Feb 2011 to 6 Feb 2011
  •  NA   Columbus, OH - From 9 Feb 2011 to 13 Feb 2011
  •  NA   Detroit, MI - From 16 Feb 2011 to 20 Feb 2011
  •  NA   Austin, TX - From 10 Mar 2011 to 21 Mar 2011
  •  NA   San Antonio, TX - From 23 Mar 2011 to 27 Mar 2011
  •  NA   Des Moines, IA - From 30 Mar 2011 to 3 Apr 2011
  •  NA   Fargo, ND - From 5 Apr 2011 to 7 Apr 2011
  •  NA   Sioux City, IA - From 9 Apr 2011 to 10 Apr 2011
  •  NA   Council Bluffs, IA - From 13 Apr 2011 to 17 Apr 2011
  •  NA   Moline, IL - From 19 Apr 2011 to 20 Apr 2011
  •  NA   Peoria, IL - From 22 Apr 2011 to 24 Apr 2011
  •  NA   Madison, WI - From 26 Apr 2011 to 27 Apr 2011
  •  NA   Green Bay, WI - From 29 Apr 2011 to 1 May 2011
  •  NA   Rockford, IL - From 4 May 2011 to 8 May 2011
  •  NA   Kansas City, MO - From 11 May 2011 to 15 May 2011
  •  NA   Abbotsford, BC - From 2 Jun 2011 to 5 Jun 2011
  •  NA   Eugene, OR - From 8 Jun 2011 to 12 Jun 2011
  •  NA   Portland, OR - From 15 Jun 2011 to 19 Jun 2011
  •  NA   Victoria, BC - From 22 Jun 2011 to 26 Jun 2011
  •  NA   Penticton, BC - From 29 Jun 2011 to 3 Jul 2011
  •  NA   Edmonton, AB - From 6 Jul 2011 to 10 Jul 2011
  •  NA   Saskatoon, SK - From 13 Jul 2011 to 17 Jul 2011
  •  NA   Winnipeg, MB - From 20 Jul 2011 to 24 Jul 2011
  •  NA   Frisco, TX - From 27 Jul 2011 to 31 Jul 2011
  •  NA   Indianapolis, IN - From 3 Aug 2011 to 7 Aug 2011
  •  NA   Atlanta, GA - From 25 Aug 2011 to 28 Aug 2011
  •  NA   Duluth, GA - From 31 Aug 2011 to 4 Sep 2011
  •  NA   Tupelo, MS - From 6 Sep 2011 to 8 Sep 2011
  •  NA   Huntsville, AL - From 10 Sep 2011 to 11 Sep 2011
  •  NA   New Orleans, LA - From 14 Sep 2011 to 17 Sep 2011
  •  NA   Orlando, FL - From 21 Sep 2011 to 25 Sep 2011
  •  NA   Tallahassee, FL - From 28 Sep 2011 to 2 Oct 2011
  •  NA   Birmingham, AL - From 5 Oct 2011 to 9 Oct 2011
  •  NA   Gainesville, FL - From 11 Oct 2011 to 13 Oct 2011
  •  NA   San Juan, PR - From 19 Oct 2011 to 23 Oct 2011
  •  NA   Santo Domingo, DR - From 27 Oct 2011 to 30 Oct 2011
  •  NA   Cypress, TX - From 17 Nov 2011 to 20 Nov 2011
  •  NA   Beaumont, TX - From 23 Nov 2011 to 27 Nov 2011
  •  NA   Houston, TX - From 30 Nov 2011 to 4 Dec 2011
  •  NA   Lafayette, LA - From 6 Dec 2011 to 8 Dec 2011
  •  NA   Bossier City, LA - From 10 Dec 2011 to 11 Dec 2011
  •  NA   Little Rock, AR - From 13 Dec 2011 to 14 Dec 2011
  •  NA   Montréal, QC - From 18 Dec 2011 to 30 Dec 2011

2012 schedule

  •  NA   Quebec, QC - From 3 Jan 2012 to 8 Jan 2012
  •  NA   Kingston, ON - From 11 Jan 2012 to 15 Jan 2012
  •  NA   Loveland, CO - From 2 Feb 2012 to 5 Feb 2012
  •  NA   Broomfield, CO - From 8 Feb 2012 to 12 Feb 2012
  •  NA   El Paso, TX - From 15 Feb 2012 to 19 Feb 2012
  •  NA   Colorado Springs, CO - From 22 Feb 2012 to 26 Feb 2012
  •  NA   Río Rancho, NM - From 29 Feb 2012 to 4 Mar 2012
  •  NA   Laredo, TX - From 6 Mar 2012 to 7 Mar 2012
  •  NA   Corpus Christi, TX - From 9 Mar 2012 to 11 Mar 2012
  •  NA   Hidalgo, TX - From 14 Mar 2012 to 18 Mar 2012
  •  NA   College Station, TX - From 21 Mar to 25 Mar 2012
  •  NA   Highland Heights, KY - From 28 Mar 2012 to 1 Apr 2012
  •  NA   Cleveland, OH - From 4 Apr 2012 to 8 Apr 2012
  •  NA   Hamilton, ON - From 26 Apr 2012 to 29 Apr 2012
  •  NA   Halifax, NS - From 2 May 2012 to 6 May 2012
  •  NA   Saint John, NB - From 9 May 2012 to 13 May 2012
  •  NA   London, ON - From 16 May 2012 to 20 May 2012
  •  NA   Rochester, NY - From 23 May 2012 to 27 May 2012
  •  NA   Manchester, NH - From 30 May 2012 to 3 Jun 2012
  •  NA   Syracuse, NY - From 6 Jun 2012 to 10 Jun 2012
  •  NA   Bridgeport, CT - From 13 Jun 2012 to 17 Jun 2012
  •  NA   Rosemont, IL - From 20 Jun 2012 to 24 Jun 2012
  •  NA   Chicago, IL - From 27 Jun 2012 to 1 Jul 2012
  •  NA   Sunrise, FL - From 19 Jul 2012 to 29 Jul 2012
  •  NA   Estero, FL - From 1 Aug 2012 to 5 Aug 2012
  •  NA   Richmond, VA - From 8 Aug 2012 to 12 Aug 2012
  •  NA   Raleigh, NC - From 15 Aug 2012 to 19 Aug 2012
  •  NA   Baltimore, MD - From 22 Aug 2012 to 26 Aug 2012
  •  NA   Atlantic City, NJ - From 29 Aug to 2 Sep 2012
  •  NA   Uniondale, NY - Coming soon
  •  NA   Charleston, WC - Coming soon
  •  NA   Minneapolis, MN - Coming soon

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Grand Chapiteau tour

1999 schedule

  •  NA   Montréal, QC - From 22 Apr 1999 (show première)
  •  NA   Québec, QC - From 24 Jun 1999
  •  NA   Toronto, ON - From 29 Jul 1999 to 5 Sep 1999
  •  NA   Santa Monica, CA - From 23 Sep 1999 to 21 Nov 1999
  •  NA   Irvine, CA - From 2 Dec 1999
2000-2009

2000 schedule

  •  NA   San Francisco, CA - From 3 Feb 2000
  •  NA   San Jose, CA - From 6 Apr 2000
  •  NA   Denver, CO - From 6 Jun 2000
  •  NA   Minneapolis, MN - From 17 Aug 2000
  •  NA   Washington, DC - From 11 Oct 2000 to 19 Nov 2000
  •  NA   Atlanta, GA - From 30 Nov 2000 to 28 Jan 2001

2001 schedule

  •  NA   Miami, FL - From 14 Feb 2001 to 18 Mar 2001
  •  NA   New York, NY - From 4 Apr 2001 to 20 May 2001
  •  NA   Chicago, IL - From 22 Jun 2001 to 15 Jul 2001
  •  NA   Boston, MA - From 15 Aug 2001 to 16 Sep 2001
  •  NA   Philadelphia, PA - From 27 Sep 2001 to 4 Nov 2001
  •  NA   Dallas, TX - From 16 Nov 2001 to 9 Dec 2001

2002 schedule

  •  NA   Houston, TX - From 17 Jan 2002 to 17 Feb 2002
  •  NA   Santa Monica, CA - From 6 Mar 2002 to 24 Mar 2002
  •  NA   San Diego, CA - From 18 Apr 2002 to 12 May 2002
  •  NA   Portland, OR - From 12 Jun 2002 to 21 Jul 2002
  •  NA   Seattle, WA - From 1 Aug 2002 to 15 Sep 2002
  •  NA   Sacramento, CA - From 4 Oct 2002 to 20 Oct 2002
  •  NA   Phoenix, AZ - From 13 Nov 2002 to 8 Dec 2002

2003 schedule

  •  NA   New Orleans, LA - From 6 Feb 2003 to 2 Mar 2003
  •  NA   Raleigh, NC - From 13 Mar 2003 to 5 Apr 2003
  •  NA   Baltimore, MD - From 11 Apr 2003 to 4 May 2003
  •  NA   Montréal, QC - From 15 May 2003 to 15 Jun 2003
  •  NA   Hartford, CT - From 24 Jun 2003 to 13 Jul 2003
  •  NA   Columbus, OH - From 24 Jul 2003 to 10 Aug 2003
  •  NA   St. Louis, MO - From 23 Aug 2003 to 14 Sep 2003
  •  NA   Mexico City, MX - From 2 Oct 2003 to 14 Dec 2003

2004 schedule

  •  EU   London, UK - From 9 Jan 2004 to 15 Feb 2004
  •  EU   Amsterdam, NL - From 27 Feb 2004 to 23 May 2004
  •  EU   Vienna, AT - From 3 Jun 2004 to 1 Aug 2004
  •  EU   Antwerp, BE - From 12 Aug 2004 to 3 Oct 2004
  •  EU   Madrid, ES - From 15 Oct 2004 to 21 Dec 2004

2005 schedule

  •  EU   London, UK - From 6 Jan 2005 to 6 Feb 2005
  •  EU   Barcelona, ES - From 17 Mar 2005 to 24 Apr 2005
  •  EU   Rotterdam, NL - From 3 Jun 2005 to 19 Jun 2005
  •  EU   Oostende, CH - From 21 Jul 2005 to 28 Aug 2005
  •  EU   Zurich, CH - From 8 Sep 2005 to 6 Nov 2005
  •  EU   Bilbao, ES - From 18 Nov 2005 to 8 Jan 2006

2006 schedule

  •  EU   Seville, ES - From 19 Jan 2006 to 26 Feb 2006
  •  EU   Geneva, CH - From 10 Mar 2006 to 16 Apr 2006
  •  EU   Valencia, ES - From 4 May 2006 to 11 Jun 2006
  •  EU   Málaga, ES - From 22 Jun 2006 to 30 Jul 2006
  •  EU   Berlin, DE - From 30 Aug 2006 to 5 Oct 2006
  •  EU   Frankfurt, DE - From 19 Oct 2006 to 26 Nov 2006
  •  EU   Düsseldorf, DE - From 7 Dec 2006 to 7 Jan 2007

2007 schedule

  •  AP   Tokyo, JP - From 7 Feb 2007 to 6 May 2007
  •  AP   Sendai, JP - From 23 May 2007 to 8 Jul 2007
  •  AP   Osaka, JP - From 25 Jul 2007 to 14 Oct 2007
  •  AP   Nagoya, JP - From 31 Oct 2007 to 6 Jan 2008

2008 schedule

  •  AP   Tokyo, JP - From 25 Jan 2008 to 6 Apr 2008
  •  AP   Fukuoka, JP - From 23 Apr 2008 to 15 Jun 2008
  •  OC   Sydney, AU - From 16 Jul 2008 to 12 Oct 2008
  •  OC   Canberra, AU - From 23 Oct 2008 to 16 Nov 2008
  •  OC   Brisbane, AU - From 27 Nov 2008 to 11 Jan 2009

2009 schedule

  •  OC   Perth, AU - From 29 Jan 2009 to 25 Mar 2009
  •  OC   Melbourne, AU - From 10 Apr 2009 to 14 Jun 2009
  •  OC   Auckland, NZ - From 9 Jul 2009 to 24 Aug 2009
  •  NA   Monterrey, MX - From 17 Sep 2009 to 11 Oct 2009
  •  NA   Guadalajara, MX - From 22 Oct 2009 to 15 Nov 2009
  •  NA   Mexico City, MX - From 26 Nov 2009 to 17 Jan 2010

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References

  1. ^ Cirque du Soleil - About Dralion
  2. ^ a b c "Presskit Dralion Sept 2010" (PDF). Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit). Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  3. ^ "Dralion - Acts". Cirque du Soleil (Press Material). Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  4. ^ Clément, Ronald (2009). Cirque du Soleil 25 Years of Costumes (in CN, English, French, and JP). Canada: Dépôt légal, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. pp. 62–67. ISBN 978-2-9803493-4-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  5. ^ "Acrobats defy gravity in Cirque du Soleil's 'Dralion'". Des Moines Register. 2011-03-28. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  6. ^ Cirque du Soleil - Creators of Dralion
  7. ^ "Music - Dralion". Cirque Tribune. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  8. ^ "Dralion Schedule". Cirque Tribune. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  9. ^ "Dralion Tickets and Info". Cirque du Soleil. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
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