Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai”- September 1st, 2003

Varekai’s Acclaimed Touring Production, written and directed by Dominic Champagne, makes another tour stop through Southern California along the way to traveling to other destinations.

This great show had the Big Tent with its tremendous circus acts in the Staples Center Parking lot from the second week of September for a couple of months before moving around Southern California. Cirque du Soleil’s new show, "Varekai", uses the fall of Icarus to launch the audience into a mythical world of earth, air, fire, and water: critters and Narnian-like ‘marsh wiggles’; flying sprites and fireflies; punked-out denizens of the underworld; and Disney-ish water babies. Varekai is a colorful, humorous, and optimistic flight of fancy that nevertheless acknowledges the darker side of desire, ambition, and fate.

There are several deeply artistic and beautifully choreographed aerial ballets, notably in Act I. One of these explores Icarus’ [Anton Chelnokov from Russia] desire to be free of earthly bonds, symbolically portrayed in his slow self-release from an entangling net while floating overhead. Another is a quartet of female (non-flying) trapeze artists.They appear to be somewhat sinister visitors from an over world beyond this fairyland into which Icarus has fallen, and yet their pas de quatre is heartbreakingly beautiful and full of yearning as they wrap themselves around one giant trapeze.

Act II is devoted to more traditional circus performances, albeit with the artistry and virtuosity unique to Cirque. Audience favorites include the maniacally brilliant juggler [Octavio Alegria from Mexico-Picture Here], the fearless and grandiose Georgian acrobats, and underdog Blondie-the-Clown who finally realizes her dream of a song and a spotlight. Other notable acts included the Hand balancing on Canes by Olga Pikhienko from Russia, The Russian Swings, Triple Trapeze, Body Skating, and Aerial Straps & Hoop. The only jarring note is the "non sequitur" ending: who is the eleventh-hour newcomer and why does Icarus marry her? In an evening full of truth, beauty, and magic, the finale comes across as somewhat cliché. In all other respects, however, "Varekai" is a worthy addition to the Cirque du Soleil repertoire. Varekai meaning "Wherever" takes place within a forest, at the summit of a volcano. Guided by Guy Laliberte’, this 15 member creative, extremely acrobatic team combines the power, skill and fluidity with the innovative music, choreography, and beautiful atmosphere. This show was started in April 2002 in Montreal and has been a huge touring hit. For more information about this show, tour schedules, and other tidbits, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com