Saw my first in-person Cirque show today

[acroyear]

And it totally rocked. The Circus traditionally always was "content is key" types of events, but now it's "context is key". The presense of a setting, a reason to be there, really helps the focus. It's much like the way the Revels shows, by providing a context, help the audience have a new reason to witness and love the folk traditions featured.

The videos are good, but in person it's just astounding, even for a show that's not as "wow-heavy" as some of their past productions. This particular show, Corteo, is a dream of a funeral parade for a Italian clown, vaguely set in the 1920s. As with all Cirque shows, it features many of the traditional circus type events (jugglers, acrobatics, and clown characters) all tainted in new directions by the new setting and the desire to maintain originality.

This may have been my first Cirque show, but it certainly won't be my last.  Special thanks to blueeowyn for arranging the tickets and the very good mongolian bbq lunch @ Tony Chengs, Chinatown.

Comments

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed your first Cirque du Soleil!

It's the only circus I'll go and see any more.

We saw their more adult show when we were in Vegas this summer and it was really amazing. (Though the contortionist was icky enough I had to close my eyes.)

We saw Drallion when it was through here about 8 years ago. That was a great show!

[thelongshot.livejournal.com]

Surprised that it was your first show. I've been doing blueeowyn's groupbuy from as far back as Quidam.

And, yes, there is no substitute for the live show. There is just so much going on that one camera view to capture.

Jealous!

[rennfoole.livejournal.com]

The closest "Corteo" got to us is San Jose! Yes, I know it will be around again. It's already been shot on video as well but, as you mentioned, the videos do not do the shows justice. Our first was "La Nouba" at Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney. It's a resident show, like "O", "Mystere", "Ka" & "Zumanity" in Vegas. The show is f-ing brilliant in person!!! It's good on DVD. We've since seen "O" and "Quidam". I think we're pretty much resigned to doing one Cirque show per birthday for a while.

If you ever get to WDW, I highly recommend "La Nouba" and make sure you are in the theatre early as there is a lot of pre-show entertainment!

Glad you enjoyed the show!!!

[mistressfetch.livejournal.com]

I went to my first Cirque show in 2002 and haven't missed one since. I will never go to the mainstream circus ever again as I'm now jaded :-) I have tickets for the 11/22 show and I can't wait!!!! Glad you got to experience it!! :-)

[scaleslea.livejournal.com]

You go to the live show for the wonder of it, and buy the DVD so you have a chance to spot the things you missed.

We joined the Cirque Club so we could get advanced notice of the touring shows. Glad you enjoyed the show. Maybe we can get a group together next time.

Doc