Post Gazette: Definition: Special effects. n. 1. Visual or sound effects introduced into a motion picture, video recording or taped television production. 2. "Cirque du Soleil: Quidam." The effects in "Quidam" are such that you just can't believe the human body can do what you know you're witnessing. And one thing that makes a Cirque show special is there's no skimping; the music and singing are performed live, the costumes are dazzling and the comic relief is a hoot.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Cirque show 'Quidam' soars with stunning skill and pageantry
Post Gazette: Definition: Special effects. n. 1. Visual or sound effects introduced into a motion picture, video recording or taped television production. 2. "Cirque du Soleil: Quidam." The effects in "Quidam" are such that you just can't believe the human body can do what you know you're witnessing. And one thing that makes a Cirque show special is there's no skimping; the music and singing are performed live, the costumes are dazzling and the comic relief is a hoot.
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This author's point about always having multiple things to look at is true for every Cirque show I've seen. I think they're absolutely right in noting that this is especially good for those with shorter attention spans. I, on the other hand, will focus on the main acts the first time I see the show. How can you not be mesmerized? One of the things I love about Cirque shows is that you can watch them again and again and always see something new. They are not the shows about which you say, "I've already seen it. Why would I go again?" The Banquine act flows so beautifully and quickly. There's no way you can catch all of the smaller moments in that act without seeing it again. I hope that I will someday see it again, because it was one of the most beautiful moments I've ever seen in a live show. I think it'll be worth the money to experience that again.
It is interesting to see that Cirque has started touring in arena spaces. I saw Quidam several years ago during their tent tour and I would be interested in seeing how the show has been changed to fit into an arena and how the feeling of the show changed by moving it from a tent to an arena. Like Shannon, I think that one of Cirque's strong points is making sure that there is always something to look at on stage. They are really good at providing atmosphere for the act and filling the space visually. This is one of the possible effects of moving the show from a tent to an arena. They are able to control the environment less and the show probably will not fit as well, lessening the impact of their "space filling". Cirque often does amazing, visually inspiring work and I am sure that this production was no different.
Quidam is a classic cirque show. The acrobatics truly come out and the story moves you throughout the piece. Quidam goes to show that there is a story behind Cirque, even when people try to argue there isn't. Quidam is one of Cirque's oldest shows and the Banquine act is one that should be seen by everyone. The simplicity of the acrobatics done by the performers and the feats which they can do is spectacular. Hearing Patrick McGuire talk about the juggling club at CMU is surprising. I always see people juggling and tight rope walking on The Cut. Makes me think if they will be in a Cirque show down the road.
Like Chris, I had the pleasure of seeing Quidam when it was still a tent tour, and then went last week to see it here in Pitt in its new arena form. Although the show stage and impressive overhead rigging is from what I can tell exactly the same from the tent tour, it definitely lost the feeling of intimacy that really makes Cirque shows so special. Like the reviewer, I was also at the Wed night show and was shocked to see almost half the arena empty. I've never seen a Cirque show with more than a few empty seats, even seeing Delerium (also an arena tour) twice. The distance from the performers, even in the front row of risers, and the cavernous space of the arena detracted from the magic of the show. Cirque clearly recognized this problem by incorporating lines of light bulbs extending from the stage to the perimeters of the arena to draw your eye in, but it wasn't quite enough to draw my experience in as well
I guess it's because I've only seen the tent shows, but something about that venue has always held a connection for me with Cirque's work. I can't imagine what seeing a Cirque show would be like in a giant... half empty... arena. The rest of this doesn't surprise me though... Cirque puts money and hard work into making very polished products. Perhaps I should catch an arena show sometime to get a first hand sense of what the feeling is like, and what is added or detracted from the change of venue.
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