Anything but smooth skating for performer
COVID-19 lockdowns have postponed Cirque du Soleil ice show indefinitely
Hjordis Lee knew what she wanted to do during her February break from touring with Cirque du Soleil’s ice show production of Crystal. She made the plans, booked the trip and was ready to spend her off-time travelling through Hong Kong.
But in late 2019 Lee’s mom called, nervously speaking about a virus that was spreading quickly through China. Lee waited before making a final decision but as December arrived, she realized it wasn’t worth the risk and cancelled the trip.
Other than an abandoned vacation, Lee didn’t think the virus would have much of an effect on her life. And it didn’t until March 2020, when the coronavirus began wreaking havoc throughout the world and was declared a global pandemic.
Lee was in Glasgow, Scotland, completing the remainder of Cirque du Soleil’s tour of the United Kingdom when she was notified that Crystal would finish out that week’s performances and then all artists were to head home immediately.
“It happened all so quickly. It was so fast,” recalled Lee. “Originally they told us — and I believe this is what they truly thought — that it would be maybe a six-month thing … that’s what we all left on, and it turned out to be something completely different, of course, as we’ve all realized.”
Lee flew home to Canada and spent much of the past 11 months living with her mother in Welland. Originally from British Columbia, Lee moved to Barrie, Ont., when she was 18 years old to train as a competitive ice skater at the Mariposa School of Skating, home to skating champions Elvis Stojko and Brian Orser.
She grew up dreaming of going to the Olympics. While Lee never reached that level, she did “relatively well” she said, competing nationally and internationally in ladies singles at the senior level.
But at the age of 22, Lee knew she was done.
“There reached a point where I felt I couldn’t go any further and I actually ended my last year competing on an injury, which, I think, is what solidified (my decision),” said Lee.
She spent two years coaching with Skate Canada in Ontario and British Columbia, but what she loved most — and what she was missing most — was performing for an audience.
Lee is now a professional ice skater or show skater. Since 2009 she has performed around the world in Germany, Mexico and Lebanon, as well as performing with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
“Believe it or not, they have little ice rinks where they put on some incredible shows,” said Lee.
While transitioning to ice shows has become more prevalent for former competitive skaters in recent years, it wasn’t always seen as an obvious choice. As a young athlete, it never crossed Lee’s mind. She was “so focused” on wanting to compete and represent Canada that she didn’t recognize what show skating could offer.
“There’s a lot of travelling and sightseeing involved, which is a wonderful thing to do, and you meet so many great people all (around) the world. And there’s a certain freedom to it,” said Lee. “It offers a nice avenue for skaters who are done with the competing, but still want to skate.”
Cirque du Soleil — the largest circus producer in the world — has gradually expanded from acrobatics and circus to include other disciplines such as dance and synchronized swimming. In 2017 the Montreal-based entertainment company debuted its very first ice show, Crystal.
Lee was offered the lead role (rotating with two other female skaters) and joined the touring production in early 2019.
“For me, it was a whirlwind experience. It was my dream to always work with such a prestigious production company as Cirque du Soleil. I never realized that opportunity could actually happen,” said Lee. “When I arrived at headquarters in Montreal, (I) remember crying. It was, for me, like making it to the Olympics.”
But since COVID-19, the sport and entertainment worlds have come to a standstill. Lee has tried to remain in shape and stay sharp but admits it has been difficult. Due to the coronavirus restrictions, Lee wasn’t able to get on the ice for six months.
Instead, she has worked on off-ice training — jump rope for cardio, stretching and strengthening exercises — to at least “keep your body moving” she said.
“There’s no better practice than to actually be on the ice and to be actually doing the sport. But by doing those types of cross-training exercises hopefully, my body won’t be in such a shock when we all come back.”
However, the struggle has taken a toll both mentally and emotionally, and it hasn’t helped knowing that the industry will likely be one of the last to reopen.
“It’s heartbreakingly sad for us, because even though I know we’re not essential, in a way we are,” said Lee. “When you want to escape from something in your world, you resort to entertainment or the arts. And especially now … emotionally it’s very difficult.”
In early fall, Lee had the chance to visit Nice when France reopened its borders. She was approached by fellow Cirque performer Silja Dos Reis with an idea to develop a video showcasing seven different artists from Canada and France.
They thought the video — titled “Art Believers” — could provide an escape, for the performers and for fans around the world, as well as offer a sense of hope. It was also created as a thank you, expressed through art, to the essential workers on the front lines who continue to battle the pandemic each day.
“We’re really relying on them and we appreciate the work that they’re doing. They’re putting their lives at risk for us to come back to a normal life, or whatever the new normal may be,” said Lee.
With only a few weeks left in France before heading back to Welland, Lee was able to film her part of the video at a local ice rink. The remainder of the project — it also showcases a pianist, a painter, a break-dancer and in-line skating — was completed remotely in early January.
“We couldn’t all be in the same spot, so this took a while,” said Lee, who wanted to ensure “Art Believers” was as detailed and musical as possible. “We’ve definitely had to persevere with this project.”
The complete film is available to watch on Youtube.
Lee misses being on the ice, despite how physically draining the role of Crystal could be. She said Cirque du Soleil wants to bring its shows back, but the “landscape is constantly changing,” particularly for touring shows that will have to deal with different COVID-19 regulations in each country. What happens next remains unclear.
“I’m very grateful that I had the experience if I don’t ever end up going back, but I miss the touring and the performing for sure,” said Lee. “It was a wonderful experience.”