Le Freak, C'est Chic!

The freak, it's chic!

I was originally planning on waiting for December to go to a few Philippine-based, old-school amusement parks to experience a classic Perya (fair). I was hoping to catch some for lack of better a term, freaks while performing their stunts. The idea is to see unusual performers dubbed as "Ang babaeng gagamba!" or "Ang taong kumakain ng buhay na manok!" or "Ang lalaking may pakpak!", or "Ang taong kumakain ng apoy!" who are what's usually considered as circus freaks. Afterall, circus is loosely defined as public entertainment featuring exhibitions of pageantry, feats of skill and daring performers..

But then 3 months ago, my yoga teacher announced that Cirque du Soleil was coming to Manila! I thought, I'm sure the Perya thing can wait. Cirque du Soleil has never performed in Manila before and this was an opportunity of a lifetime. So that being decided, I immediately secured tickets and waited.

I have been, until last Wednesday, a Cirque-virgin. I've only heard stories of Cirque performances from my mother, who's seen them perform in Las Vegas. So after watching their Varekai show here in Manila which featured death-defying acts (no, really!!) including 4 girls in a solitary static trapeze, I was ready for a cigarette (and no, I didn't. really.)

Cirque du Soleil's show Varekai, is about the story of a fallen angel. According to Wikipedia, Varekai picks up where Icarus the fallen angel's myth leaves off. This angel wanders off in an unknown world led by 2 strange guides and is immediately, together with the audience, transported to the extraordinary world of Verakai (translation: "Wherever", in Romany language of the gypsies according to all the websites I've checked).

The segments of the show were masterfully sequenced such that the more daring and thrilling performances are followed by a bit more (just a half notch) less breathtaking act. I guess this was done to give the audience a moment to breathe and calm their nerves down from previous acts they just witnessed. Or at least that's what I felt.

The Grand Chapiteau in Manila by Cirque du Soleil

Inside the theater.. It wasn't as big as I thought it would be.. Just perfect.

performers start to take over the stage even when the show hasn't officially started yet..

The magical creatures were born alive throughout the show just like Alice in Wonderland, only better. Icarus' contortion performance in a net during the beginning gave us a preview of what the other acts would be like: magnificent! The triple trapeze act (using a static trapeze divided into 3 sections) with 4 female aerialists got me transfixed. There were 2 hot guys using only leather straps hanging from the ceiling who immediately took flight after entering the stage. They spun, flipped and hung above everybody without "spotters" on the stage. There was also this unbelievable man who used his crutches to gracefully walk, run, jump, skate around and dance on stage. The sensational russian swings made me and the rest of the audience hold our breaths everytime a performer would fly high into the air and land wherever it wished to. It was absolutely mind-blowing! Sometimes, there were so many things that went on, on the stage at the same time that I didn't know what to watch anymore. Grabe!

Icarus' performance more than 6 feet high above the ground was done with one-of-a-kind agility and grace.

the twins who made everything seem sooooo easy.

you see those guys standing on top of the other 2 guys? during the show, they weren't standing.. they were being thrown around in circles repeatedly!

the amaaaaazing dancers on trapeze showing off their superb grace and timing.

I was one of the first who stood up for a standing ovation at the end of the show. I wanted to shake the hand of each performer and tell them how amazing they all were (though I'm pretty damn sure they know). The imagination of the director, producer or whoever had this fantastic idea was just unbelievable.

the russian swings.. there aren't enough words to describe them.. exag! my palms started to get sweaty just watching them!



and yes, there were clowns. what would a circus be without them?

a! ma! zing!!!

Needless to say, I was very much fascinated with the first-ever circus experience I had, thanks to Cirque du Soleil. And although I will defintely go and see their other performances as soon as I get the chance.. I think I'd still want to go check out the local Perya scene of Manila one of these days.. Hehe.

cirque-virgin no more!

when: June 29, 2011

where: The Grand Chapiteau, Quirino Grand Stand, Manila