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Varekai

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Varekai
The Varekai tent, 2006
CompanyCirque du Soleil
GenreContemporary circus
Show typeTouring show
Date of premiereApril 24, 2002
Creative team
DirectorDominic Champagne
Director of creationAndrew Watson
Set designerStéphane Roy
ComposerViolaine Corradi
Costume designerEiko Ishioka
Lighting designerNol van Genuchten
ChoreographersMichael Montanaro
Bill Shannon
Sound designerFrançois Bergeron
Makeup designerNathalie Gagné
Aerial acts designerAndré Simard
Rigging designerJaque Paquin
Clown act creatorCahal McCrystal
ProjectionsFrancis Laporte
Other information
Preceded byDralion (1999)
Succeeded byZumanity (2003)
Official website

Varekai is a Cirque du Soleil touring production that premiered in Montréal in April 2002.[1] Its title means "wherever" in the Romani language, and the show is an "acrobatic tribute to the nomadic soul".[2]

The plot is based loosely on the Greek myth of Icarus, who melts his wings after flying too close to the sun. Rather than drowning in the sea below him, in Varekai Icarus lands inside a lush forest, in which the creatures teach him how to fly again.

Set and technical information

The set, created by Stéphane Roy, includes four major components: the forest, stage, catwalk, and lookout. The forest consists of over 300 trees of which around 20 have grips allowing the characters to climb up. The heights of the trees range from 4.5 metres (15 ft) to 10.5 metres (34 ft). The stage itself is considered a clearing in the forest and is 12.8 metres (42 ft) in diameter and has five trap doors, two turntables, and one elevating platform. The catwalk is 30 metres (98 ft) in length and allows the characters to climb up and is capped with a lookout which is 7 square metres (75 sq ft).[1]

  • 65 container trucks are used to transport 1,200 tonnes (1,200 long tons; 1,300 short tons) of set, costumes, and other equipment for the show.[3]
  • The Forest

A fabulous and mysterious hideaway the Varekai characters have made their home. Consisting of over 300 “trees” between 4.5 metres and 10.5 metres tall, the forest is also interspersed wi th twenty-odd “acrobatic trees” that its inhabitants can climb up to see what’s going on.

The Stage Extending out of the golden forest, this is the terrain on which the characters move about. It’s a golden clearing with a diameter of 12.8 metres. Specially designed for the show’ s aesthetic and acrobatic needs, the stage harbours five traps, two turntables and an elevating platform.

  • The Catwalk

Reminiscent of the spine of an immense bird, the catwalk is the invention of the forest’s inhabitants. It allows them to step outside, collect bits and pieces, and climb high in their quest to touch the sky. Used by artists to travel over the stage from one end to the other, this 30-metre long staircase is key to their survival.

  • The Lookout

At the end of the catwalk, just above the audience, is the lookout—the centrepiece of the set. It is a link to the outside world, a lookout point to see what lies ahead. This 7-square-metre platform also serves as a cabin for one of the forest’s inhabitants

The Big Top

Cirque du Soleil’s mobile village includes the Grand Chapiteau (Big Top), one large entrance tent, artistic tent, box office, kitchen, school, offices, warehouses and more. Completely self-sufficient for electrical power, the site relies only on a local water supply and telecommunication facilities to support its infrastructure. A marvel on its own, Cirque du Soleil has three other such “villages on wheels” currently touring: Corteo, OVO and TOTEM

The Site

• The site takes 8 days to set up and 3 days to deconstruct, including the installation of the Grand Chapiteau, the Tapis Rouge tent, entrance and artistic tents, box office, administrative offices, and a kitchen and dining area for the cast and crew. • A total of 65 trucks are needed to transport over 1,200 tons of equipment that Varekai carries around. A few of these trucks are used during the season as storage spaces, kitchen and workshops. • 2 to 3 generators provide electricity to the Grand Chapiteau and the entire set-up. • The Grand Chapiteau, the artistic tent and the Tapis Rouge tent are Climate-Controlled.

The Grand Chapiteau

The Grand Chapiteau lace for cast and crew alike. • Conceived by a team of Canadian engineers, the canvas was produced by a French company who specializes in sails and big tops: Les Voileries du Sud‑Ouest. • The canvas for the tent and its 11 tunnels weigh approximately 5,227 kg. • The Grand Chapiteau stands 66 feet high, 167 feet in diameter and is supported by four masts, each 80 feet tall. • The Grand Chapiteau seats more than 2,600 people and requires a team of approximately 80 people to raise it.

Cast

The Varekai troupe consists of 56 performers, of which there are a few principal characters.[1][2][4]

  • Icarus: After a tragic fall, Icarus lands in the midst of the strange forest. He is greeted by a family of survivors. This character performs an aerial contortion act in a net.
  • La Promise (or Betrothed): A strange, veiled creature who goes through a metamorphosis incarnate. She is betrothed to Icarus. This character performs a handbalancing act on a series of canes.
  • Guide: He is in turn the spectre of the injured angel, the provocative sorcerer, the tamer of shadows, the guardian of fire, and a comic foil for the Skywatcher.
  • Limping angel: A lame lover, the forlorn Limping Angel teeters on round-tipped crutches in a spasmodic dance.
  • Skywatcher: Mad scientist and gifted inventor, he is the man of calls, the announcer of trials, the hunter of sounds and the tamer of the clouds. From him, Icarus learns to survive the fury of the volcanoes and the joy of new love.
  • La Toupie
  • Candide

Acts

Varekai's acts comprise many acrobatic talents, ranging from aerial arts to Russian swing, among others.[1][5]

  • Flight of Icarus: Icarus performs astounding dives and contortions in the net that holds him captive.
  • Icarian games: Foot-juggling is one of the oldest circus arts disciplines. The bearer lies on his back and twirls the voltigeur on his feet.
  • Water meteors: Three young acrobats twirl ropes with metal cups attached to the ends, simultaneously performing virtuosic acrobatic feats.
  • Triple trapeze: On an elevated trapeze apparatus, four young women perform a series of striking acrobatic moves.
  • Georgian dance: This act takes its inspiration from the national dance of the Lezgins, popular among many people in the Caucasus Mountains.
  • Slippery surface: Darting and sliding on a specially designed surface, the artists fling and catch each other, creating an illusion of skating.
  • Solo on crutches: Like a jointed puppet, the Limping Angel dances on crutches while background performers teeter on canes in a dance that reignites Icarus's desire to fly again.
    Cirque du Soleil's Varekai in Melbourne
  • Aerial straps: Suspended by wrist straps, two performers glide above the stage, performing original acrobatic moves.
  • Juggling: A juggling virtuoso handles clubs, large balls, hats and ping-pong balls, manipulating them with his hands, his feet, his head and even his mouth.
  • Handbalancing on canes: The performer achieves a variety of contortions and poses while balancing on a series of canes.
  • Russian swings: Propelled by two Russian swings, acrobats are hurled high into the air, alighting on their partners' wrists or on a landing canvas, sometimes even flying from one moving swing to the other.

Acts in rotation

  • Aerial hoop: Suspended high above the stage or flying through the air on a hoop, a young woman performs a series of movements displaying her flexibility and strength.

Retired acts

  • Acrobatic pas de deux: Two lovers dance and perform acrobatic stunts, showing their love, trust, and respect for each other.

Costumes

Varekai's costume designer, Eiko Ishioka, set out to design the costumes to heighten the sense of risk and danger the artists face while performing their acts. The designs are an approach to give the traditional leotard a new shape. Eiko drew inspiration from the natural world: plant life, reptiles, land animals, marine life, wind water, fire and wood, yet did so without being a literal interpretation.[2] While there are over 130 costumes in the entire collection, over 600 elements combine to make the entire wardrobe of costumes, shoes, hats, and accessories. During the tour it takes a 250 hours a week to keep the costumes in a state usable for performance. This includes repairs, cleaning, pressing, repainting (shoes), ironing, and other related tasks.[1]

One of the primary materials used throughout the wardrobe is lycra, primarily for its ease of care, suppleness, and elasticity. Other materials used throughout include titanium rods, nylon sponge and other types of fire-retardant materials. La Toupie's costume, for example, is made from lycra, and the tentacles are made from polystyrene foam. In addition to textures and structures being created for the costumes, digital screen-printing was utilized for some pieces. The costumes for the Russian Swing act were inspired by volcanic eruptions. Pictures were taken, scanned, processed and then digitally screen-printed to give the characters their bright red, explosive appearance. The foliage seen on the heads and backs of some characters is made from crinyl and cristalette which are both extremely light-weight materials. Some of the translucent carapaces seen on some performers, including La Promise, is made from stretch netting mounted on a structure made of boning.[2]

Music

The live music is performed by seven musicians and two singers. Composed by Violaine Corradi and directed by the bandleader/keyboard player, the music features many different genres and energies. Violaine combined the sounds of Hawaiian rituals, 11-century French troubadour songs, traditional Armenian melodies and gospel music with contemporary arrangements to create the sound of Varekai. While some songs are quiet and sorrowful others are more upbeat and exciting.[1][6]

The only remaining original musician and the only cast/crew member to perform in everyone of Varekai's 3,270+ shows without missing a single performance is drummer Paul J. Bannerman.[citation needed]

Instruments used in the show include keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, violin, and various wind instruments. There are numerous instrumental solos, with the violin, flute, and accordion among the instruments heard. When these occur, the musician comes into view, still hidden in the trees but slightly visible to the audience.[6]

There are two distinct voices in the musical score. The primary voice belongs to a male singer called the Patriarch. He is dressed in a dark purple outfit and sings to all but two of the acts. He portrays the emotion of each act with his facial expressions and arm and hand movements. He is almost always visible. He appears to watch over the other singer like a father figure, and occasionally interacts with the wind instrument musician whenever the musician has a solo. His range is from high tenor to bass.

The other voice belongs to a young female singer called the Muse. Her outfit is light purple. She is amazed by everything she sees but is normally shy and hides among the trees, almost unseen. She has two solos, where she shows herself to her fellow creatures and the audience. For seven other acts, she either blends with the Patriarch or sings a small part of the song. During these acts, she is either next to him or hiding among the trees. Her range is from low alto to high soprano.

During the triple trapeze act, there is a third voice, blending with the Patriarch. The voice belongs to the wind instrument musician, hidden in the trees behind the Patriarch.

Album

Returning from her work with Cirque du Soleil's Dralion, Violaine Corradi wrote the Varekai score, which was released as a CD on January 7, 2003. Rather than creating a literal soundtrack, Cirque du Soleil collaborated with Nitin Sawhney to produce a CD with themes and sounds from Varekai but quite differently arranged. The CD features the vocals of the two original singers of Varekai, Zara Tellander and Mathieu Lavoie; however, the soundtrack also includes the vocals of world music artists Natacha Atlas and Tina Grace, who were not in the production, simply featured on the album. Many of the CD tracks are dramatically different from their live counterparts.

In late 2003 Cirque du Soleil created an 'Exclusive Premium Edition' CD, which featured the original CD as well as a bonus CD and DVD containing 6 live tracks, two remixes, and 2 music videos.

File:Varekai cd cover.jpg
The revised album artwork of Varekai, 2004

Track listing:

  1. Aureus (Spoken word)
  2. Rain One (Interlude)
  3. Le Rêveur (Solo on crutches)
  4. Vocea (Flight of Icarus)
  5. Moon Light (Handbalancing on canes)
  6. Rubeus (Spoken word)
  7. Patzivota (Wedding interlude and setup for Russian swings)
  8. El Péndulo (Aerial straps)
  9. Gitans (Opening)
  10. Kèro Hiréyo (Triple trapeze)
  11. Infinitus (Spoken word)
  12. Lubia Dobarstan (Water meteors)
  13. Emballa (Juggling)
  14. Oscillum (Russian swings)
  15. Funambul (Cloud interlude)
  16. Resolution (not in show)

Below are the live tracks, in order as they appear on the Exclusive Premium Edition bonus CD. Listed after each track title is the act associated with the track.

  1. Célébration de l'Errance (Opening dance and finale)
  2. Trasparenza
    • Acrobatic pas de deux (2002 - 2003)
    • Aerial hoop (2004 - onwards)
  3. Euphoria (Icarian games)
  4. Sun Drum Fun (Body skating)
  5. Mutationis (Handbalancing on canes)
  6. Movimento (Georgian dance)

The bonus CD also contains two tracks that are remixed versions of 'El Péndulo' and 'Emballa'. In addition, the DVD features two videos with nature and recording footage, recorded with the CD version of 'Patzivota' and 'Moon Licht'.

Further information: Cirque du Soleil discography

Filmography

The experiences of the initial cast during the creation of the show were portrayed in the series, Fire Within (featured on the Bravo Network). The television show gave an intimate look into the struggles, joys, problems and tears the artists endured while creating the show. Fire Within won the 2003 Emmy Award in the category "Outstanding Non-Fiction Program" (Alternative).[1]

Cirque du Soleil released a film-adaptation of Varekai on June 14, 2003, and was directed by Dominic Champagne and Nick Morris. The filming took place in Toronto during the show's tour.[7] - View the site with tents and trailers on the current version of Google Earth at 43°38′41″N 79°21′03″W / 43.64472°N 79.35083°W / 43.64472; -79.35083

Tour

Varekai completed its first North American tour in Vancouver, Canada on July 23, 2006. It debuted in Australia in August 2006 and arrived in New Zealand in early 2007. Later that year, Varekai finished its Australian tour in Perth, and moved on to its first European tour. At the end of 2007 the show had its European premiere in Antwerp, Belgium. Varekai continues to perform in Europe, and began playing at London's Royal Albert Hall on 5 January 2010, marking the 25th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil.

Varekai has been viewed by more than 6 million spectators around the world, and has reached many milestones to accomplish this.[1]

  • 1000th performance in Dallas, Texas, in 2004
  • 1500th performance in Seattle, Washington, in 2006
  • 2000th performance in Perth, Australia, in 2007
  • 2500th performance in Seville, Spain, in February, 2009
  • 3000th performance in Ostend, Belgium, in August, 2010

Since Varekai's première in 2002, it has had an extensive touring history as detailed below.[8][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  AF   Africa

Grand Chapiteau tour

2002 schedule

  •  NA   Montréal, QC - From 24 Apr 2002 to 16 Jun 2002 (show première)
  •  NA   Québec, QC - From 27 Jun 2002 to 21 Jul 2002
  •  NA   Toronto, ON - From 1 Aug 2002 to 8 Sep 2002
  •  NA   Philadelphia, PA - From 19 Sep 2002 to 20 Oct 2002
  •  NA   San Francisco, CA - From 7 Nov 2002 to 29 Dec 2002

2003 schedule

  •  NA   San Jose, CA - From 16 Jan 2003 to 23 Feb 2003
  •  NA   Atlanta, GA - From 6 Mar 2003 to 13 Apr 2003
  •  NA   New York, NY - From 24 Apr 2003 to 6 Jul 2003
  •  NA   Chicago, IL - From 17 Jul 2003 to 31 Aug 2003
  •  NA   Los Angeles, CA - From 12 Sep 2003 to 23 Nov 2003
  •  NA   Pomona, CA - From 4 Dec 2003 to 28 Dec 2003

2004 schedule

  •  NA   Costa Mesa, CA - From 16 Jan 2004 to 7 Mar 2004
  •  NA   San Diego, CA - From 18 Mar 2004 to 18 Apr 2004
  •  NA   Phoenix, AZ - From 29 Apr 2004 to 23 May 2004
  •  NA   Denver, CO - From 3 Jun 2004 to 11 Jul 2004
  •  NA   Boston, MA - From 25 Jul 2004 to 5 Sep 2004
  •  NA   Washington, DC - From 16 Sep 2004 to 24 Oct 2004
  •  NA   Dallas, TX - From 4 Nov 2004 to 12 Dec 2004

2005 schedule

  •  NA   Houston, TX - From 6 Jan 2005 to 13 Feb 2005
  •  NA   Austin, TX - From 24 Feb 2005 to 27 Mar 2005
  •  NA   Pittsburgh, PA - From 9 Apr 2005 to 8 May 2005
  •  NA   Baltimore, MD - From 19 May 2005 to 19 Jun 2005
  •  NA   East Rutherford, NJ - From 30 Jun 2005 to 31 Jul 2005
  •  NA   Columbus, OH - From 11 Aug 2005 to 11 Sep 2005
  •  NA   Hartford, CT - From 22 Sep 2005 to 16 Oct 2005
  •  NA   Charlotte, NC - From 27 Oct 2005 to 20 Nov 2005
  •  NA   St. Petersburg, FL - From 1 Dec 2005 to 31 Dec 2005

2006 schedule

  •  NA   Miami, FL - From 20 Jan 2006 to 26 Feb 2006
  •  NA   Portland, OR - From 14 Mar 2006 to 23 Apr 2006
  •  NA   Seattle, WA - From 4 May 2006 to 11 Jun 2006
  •  NA   Vancouver, BC - From 22 Jun 2006 to 23 Jul 2006
  •  OC   Sydney, AU - From 10 Aug 2006 to 29 Oct2006
  •  OC   Brisbane, AU - From 9 Nov 2006 to 16 Dec 2006

2007 schedule

  •  OC   Auckland, NZ - From 5 Jan 2007 to 18 Feb 2007
  •  OC   Canberra, AU - From 15 Mar 2007 to 8 Apr 2007
  •  OC   Melbourne, AU - From 19 Apr 2007 to 24 Jun 2007
  •  OC   Adelaide, AU - From 5 Jul 2007 to 4 Aug 2007
  •  OC   Perth, AU - From 17 Aug 2007 to 7 Oct 2007
  •  EU   Antwerp, BE - From 25 Oct 2007 to 16 Dec 2007

2008 schedule

  •  EU   London, UK - From 5 Jan 2008 to 17 Feb 2008
  •  EU   Amsterdam, NL - From 29 Feb 2008 to 25 May 2008
  •  EU   Berlin, DE - From 6 Jun 2008 to 20 Jul 2008
  •  EU   Oberhausen, DE - From 31 Jul 2008 to 7 Sep 2008
  •  EU   Vienna, AT - From 18 Sep 2008 to 26 Oct 2008
  •  EU   Madrid, ES - From 13 Nov 2008 to 4 Jan 2009

2009 schedule

  •  EU   Seville, ES - From 29 Jan 2009 to 15 Mar 2009
  •  EU   Bilbao, ES - From 26 Mar 2009 to 3 May 2009
  •  EU   Lisbon, PT - From 15 May 2009 to 28 Jun 2009
  •  EU   Gijon, ES - From 9 Jul 2009 to 16 Aug 2009
  •  EU   Hamburg, DE - From 28 Aug 2009 to 4 Oct 2009
  •  EU   Moscow, RU - From 23 Oct 2009 to 13 Dec 2009

2010 schedule

  •  EU   London, UK - From 6 Jan 2010 to 14 Feb 2010
  •  EU   Manchester, UK - From 25 Feb 2010 to 21 Mar 2010
  •  EU   Munich, DE - From 1 Apr 2010 to 2 May 2010
  •  EU   Cologne, DE - From 13 May 2010 to 6 Jun 2010
  •  EU   Frankfurt, DE - From 17 Jun 2010 to 18 Jul 2010
  •  EU   Oostende, BE - From 29 Jul 2010 to 29 Aug 2010
  •  EU   Zurich, CH - From 17 Sep 2010 to 24 Oct 2010
  •  EU   Barcelona, ES - From 5 Nov 2010 to 2 Jan 2011

2011 schedule

  •  AP   Taipei, TW - From 20 Jan 2011 to 6 Mar 2011
  •  AP   Seoul, KR - From 6 Apr 2011 to 29 May 2011
  •  AP   Manila, PH - From 22 Jun 2011 to 24 Jul 2011
  •  SA   São Paulo, BR - From 15 Sep 2011 to 27 Nov 2011
  •  SA   Rio de Janeiro, BR - From 8 Dec 2011 to 8 Jan 2012

2012 schedule

  •  SA   Belo Horizonte, BR - From 19 Jan 2012 to 12 Feb 2012
  •  SA   Brasília, BR - From 23 Feb 2012 to 18 Mar 2012
  •  SA   Recife, BR - From 30 Mar 2012 to 22 Apr 2012
  •  SA   Salvador, BR - From 3 May 2012 to 3 Jun 2012
  •  SA   Curitiba, BR - From 15 Jun 2012 to 8 Jul 2012
  •  SA   Porto Alegre, BR - From 26 Jul 2012 to 19 Aug 2012

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Varekai: Press Kit" (PDF). Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit). Retrieved 2011-02-19.
  2. ^ a b c d Clément, Ronald (2009). Cirque du Soleil 25 Years of Costumes (in CN, English, French, and JP). Canada: Dépôt légal, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. pp. 68–73. ISBN 978-2-9803493-4-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  3. ^ "Crazy, colorful Cirque du Soleil". Philippine Daily Inquierer. 2011-03-24. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  4. ^ "Varekai: Characters". Cirque du Soleil. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
  5. ^ "Varekai Acts". Cirque Tribune. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
  6. ^ a b "Varekai Music" (PDF). Cirque du Soleil. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
  7. ^ "Cirque du Soleil: Varekai". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  8. ^ "Varekai: Tickets". Cirque du Soleil. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
  9. ^ "Varekai (Tour Schedule)". Cirque Tribune. Retrieved 2011-02-19.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Varekai&oldid=496073029"