Magic under the big top
Cirque du Soleil stages its 'Totem' show in Alicante until August 19
The world-famous Cirque du Soleil will premiere its amazing 'Totem' show in Alicante tonight (Friday). Costa Blanca News yesterday attended the pre-premiere held for the press.
You can't hear a pin drop under the big top... Spectators hold their breaths and look on in utter disbelief at a woman in a neon-coloured suit, who has bent backwards until her head was between her legs. "Oooh", can be heard all around, the audience are indeed wowed by the contortionist. It is evident that here in the magical world of the Cirque du Soleil there are no physical limits for the acrobats and contortionists.
Cirque du Soleil’s new show Totem, is directed by Canadian playwright Robert Lepage, and has already toured 38 cities since it commenced in Montreal in 2010.
The last time Robert Lepage came to Spain was ten years ago, when he presented Cirque du Soleil’s "Quidam" show in Malaga.
Forty-six artists perform their magic throughout the night enhanced by impressive lighting effects and a live band of virtuoso musicians.
Totem follows the human species from original amphibian state to ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage, evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. The showexplores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential.
"Totem" traces the evolution of humans. The action kicks off inside a skeletal, turtleshaped cage that emerges out of the circus floor, reminiscent of the earth's crust.
Amphibious creatures and fish climb in and out of the cage kitted out in glittering suits and doing incredible somersaults as well as spring- ing from one bar to another.
The contortionist passes her head between her legs as if it were nothing more than a simple squat.
A trio on rings swings under the circus dome, Chinese equilibrists smile as they ride on their unicycles balancing balance metal bowls on their heads and tossing them from their feet to their heads without using their hands, all this in sync with the music.
During the Amerindian dance, a young dancer evokes myths and legends from times long past, then in scenes evoking a wedding ceremony, a pair of roller skaters spin and whorl at incredible speeds on a tiny rotating platform, this will take your breath away! All movements are synchronized with the music of the Sevillian conductor Alejandro Romero.
Wearing colourful costumes, acrobats leap from one bar to another in a thrilling evocation of the human desire to escape the earth’s gravity.
There are many special effects. An underwater world literally transforms into a volcanic landscape before turning into a jungle.
Of course, just like every circus, there are clowns. At the Cirque du Soleil, the clown provokes a lot of laughter, he instantly conjures a swan out of a plastic bag and reminds of us of Charlie Chaplin with his facial expressions and movements.
"Totem" puts you under its spell and makes you laugh. It is an immersion in a fascinating world of acrobatics and a journey through time to the roots of humanity.
The Canadian circus held its premiere in Alicante yesterday evening, and will have daily performances at the fair site in Alicante's Calle Xativa s/n, Rabasa, next to Decathlon until August 19.
Tickets are available from €28 Euro from: cirquedusoleil. com/totem, www.ticketea.com or www.ticketmaster.com or El Corte Ingles. Shows take place daily except Mondays at 18.30 and 22.00 although some sessions have sold out quickly.
The show lasts two hours and 10 minutes and includes a 25 minute interval. Children's prams and pushchairs are not permitted in the big top.
There is an area for wheelchairs, but they have to be booked in advanced in the specified wheelchair area.