Cirque du Soleil presents "Varekai" in Manila (June 22-July 24, 2011)

Cirque du Soleil, a popular international performing group will visit Manila, Philippines with its live touring production entitled Varekai premiering June 22, 2011 for a limited engagement under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) located at the Luneta, across Quirino Grandstand. It will be shown until July 8 July 24, 2011.

I first learned about the group from my friend, Pamela Agaloos, in 2005. We were both teaching then at De La Salle University (Manila) and I was looking for some materials I could use for my Art Appreciation class. So she told me to check out Cirque du Soleil. Then I found some good finds at a video store and bought 2 DVDs at different times. I was stunned upon seeing the video of these amazing performance artists! I was flabbergasted at the display of outstanding talents - with all the dazzling costumes and spectacular stunts. This is a must-see in Manila this year!

So I was excited to see them at a presscon held at the Manila Hotel on March 3, 2011.

Tickets started to go on sale at 12:00 midnight of Friday March 4, 2010 through its online box office at www.hoopla.ph or www.cirquedusoleil.com. For inquiries, call (632) 775-0939, (632) 881-0947, +63.919.4508125 and +63.917.4436463. 

About the Show
Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary worlda world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai.

The sky lets go a solitary young man, and the story of Varekai begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world imbued with fantastical creatures, a young man takes flight in an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of pure and undiluted possibility, begins an inspired incantation to a life rediscovered and to a newly found wonder in the mysteries of the world and the mind. 

The word VAREKAI (pronounced ver·ay·’kie) means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsiesthe universal wanderers. Written and directed by Dominic Champagne, this production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai. 

Varekai emerges from an explosive fusion of drama and acrobatics. The impossible becomes possible in stunning displays of skill and power set against innovative music and otherworldly sets, interwoven with vivid choreography that speaks to all in the universal language of movement. The pendulum of time sweeps backward, paying tribute to the ancient and rare circus traditions of Icarian games, water meteors and Georgian dance. VAREKAI then catapults to the future with revolutionary twists on such acts as Russian swings, body skating and triple trapeze.

Schedule of Performances:

Some Cirque du Soleil artists present at the presscon

The Performing Artists
Varekai introduces an international cast of more than 50 artists representing 23 nationalities: Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Serbia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Ukraine.

The Creative Team
From the imagination of a 15-member creative team comes VAREKAI: Guy Laliberté: Guide; Dominic Champagne: Writer and Director; Andrew Watson: Director of Creation; Stéphane Roy: Set Designer; Eiko Ishioka: Costume Designer; Violaine Corradi: Composer; Michael Montanaro: Choreographer; Bill Shannon: Choreographer; Jaque Paquin: Rigging Designer; Nol Van Genuchten: Lighting Designer; François Bergeron: Sound Designer; Francis Laporte: Projection Designer; Cahal McCrystal: Clown Acts Designer (duos); Nathalie Gagné: Make-Up Designer; André Simard: Aerial Acts Designer.

Co-Presentor of the Event
Manila Hotel is co-presenting Cirque Du Soleil in line with its tradition of excellence and industry leadership. This will serve as its launching event in a series of build up activities for their forthcoming 100th anniversary celebration which will culminate in October 2012. 

Background of Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebéc-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,200 artists from close to 50 different countries.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to close to 100 million spectators in 300 cities in five continents. In 2010, Cirque du Soleil, presented 21 shows simultaneously throughout the world. The company has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix, and Rose d’Or de Montreux. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.