If Hurricane Katrina never happened, maybe Cirque de Soleil would never have come to Colombia. In 2005 Cirque de Soleil had a three-date commitment. They would do two shows in Mexico City and then one show in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA. After completing the two shows in Mexico City Cirque was preparing to go to Biloxi, USA. Before Cirque get depart for USA, Hurricane Katrina smashed again the southern coast of USA and left Biloxi, Mississippi in shambles. There were no longer any viable venues to perform at in Biloxi. So, Cirque organizers had a meeting to discuss what would be the follow up plan. Instead of throwing in the towel they arranged to take the show to South America instead. Their first show was in Brazil.
When Varekai comes to Bogota this March, it will mark the 550th show in South America. The plot is based loosely on the Greek myth of Icarus, who melts his wings after flying too close to the sun. Rather than drowning in the sea below him, in Varekai, Icarus lands inside a lush forest. He survives the fall but breaks his legs in the process. He is suddenly in a strange, new world full of creatures he has never seen or even imagined before. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, Icarus sets upon a journey through the forest. This journey is one of self discovery as well your classic rise from the ashes. Assisted by his strange and quirky mad scientist La Vigie, he works on regaining his strength and regaining his desire being to fly again. While on the ground, he meets The Betrothed, an underground, insect-like creature who he falls in love with. The two have barely met when she is kidnapped. Having already lost his love, Icarus must also find a way to see her again and conquer the obstacles in his path, continuing his quest through Varekai.
The setup for Varekai takes 8 days, including the installation of the Grand Chapiteau (a massive big top that measures 165 feet (50 meters) in diameter and is supported by four 82-foot-high (25 meters) steel masts. The climate-controlled Grand Chapiteau (multi-domed tent) seats more than 2,500 people and is held down by 400 five foot (1.5 meters) long stakes.
The official press conference for Cirque du Soleil was held at Parque Nacional and was billed as chance to “Enter the enchanted forest that has been across the world….you will get a chance to get to know the details behind the largest circus spectacle in the world.” The event remained true to form by serving rich mango smoothies, roast beef sandwiches on fresh bread and unlimited miniature chocolate chip cookies to all in attendance. If the food was any indication on the scale of the event to follow this observer would say there would be a truly colossal event to come.
After the serving of mango smoothies there was as two act mini circus performed with the showcased the performers throwing each other around the stage in quirky outfits equipped with highly flexible avatar-like bodies. After the performance, there was a short question and answer period with the performers afterwards. The performers lived up to the stereo type that a team of circus performers come from all walks of life. In attendance there was a 25-year old Ukrainian gymnast who moved to the USA as a boy to pursue his dreams at becoming a Cirque performer, a 16-year old named Emily McCarthy from England, 42-year old Khvicha Tetvadze who is known for his typical Georgian dance, Lasha Sakhokia who is 27-years old and has come from The Theatre of Georgia’s National Ballet and the 27-year old Tornike Zambakhidze who was very pleased to be in Colombia. The three Georgians in particular were the most animated on stage, accomplishing many twirls in the air and then landing on their knees after the jumps. They then went spinning across the stage on their knees. This is no small feat, considering how many shows these guys do per year. While not spinning on their knees they confidently wielded swords and would strike each others’ shields while twirling in place.
The saying holds true that for every dark Hurricane there is a silver lining in the form of Cirque du Soleil coming to South America. Cirque du Soleil will be coming back to Bogota in March of 2013.
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