Newest Cirque to be arena show

Maybe they should call this one “ Cercle du Soleil.”

At a news conference in Montreal yesterday, the latest venture from Cirque du Soleil was revealed. It’s a new touring show entitled Delirium — Turning Music Into Motion

and it’s the first live arena event in the organization’s 21- year history.

Specifically designed to meet the demands of the new partnership between Cirque and Clear Channel Entertainment announced earlier this year, Delirium will play in large-scale circular venues across North America, typically for initial runs of only two performances. The show begins in Montreal at the Bell Centre Jan. 26, 2006 and will arrive at the Air Canada Centre on Feb. 20.

Another unique feature about Delirium: the production will be driven by its music, which consists of a selection of 21 “ greatest hits” from past Cirque shows. These numbers have been equipped with lyrics in languages ranging from English to Wolof and will provide the inspiration for the presentation. A company of 18 dancers, 11 musicians, eight acrobats, six singers and two actors will fill the 39- metre, two- sided stage. Some of the rest of the visual dazzle audiences have come to expect from Cirque will be provided by 50 square metres of projections: the size of four IMAX screens.

Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon are the creators and directors of this event, which promises to continue Cirque’s tradition of pushing the theatrical envelope to the limit.

Tickets for the Toronto performances will go on sale Nov. 21 and will be available by calling 416-870-8000 (Ticketmaster) or online at www. cirquedusoleil. com.