June 5, 2014

Cirque du Soleil x 'Totem' x Concord Pacific Place

Behind the scenes and backstage at Cirque du Soleil's Totem show and live performance at Concord Pacific Place in False Creek on June 3, 2014.

Cirque du Soleil: Totem | Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver

Quebec's Cirque du Soleil travelling acrobatic show continues to to evolve with its aptly evolutionary themed (and first hybrid show) Totem. Written and directed by Robert Lepage (), Totem premiered in 2010 and is the tenth Cirque show to visit Vancouver since 1986.

Cirque du Soleil: Totem | Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver

Under the big tent or the "grand chapiteau", what seemed most noticeable, especially up close, were the eye popping costumes by designer Kym Barrett fitting into the entire visual aesthetic. This along with every heavily detailed aspect of the show worked toward advancing the "fascinating journey into the evolution of mankind," quite well using everything from animal imagery, native art, and broad physical humour.

Cirque du Soleil: Totem | Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver

The show and entire extravaganza has been described by "controlled chaos" by its company manager Jeff Lund with its forty-five world-class acrobats, actors, musicians, and singers from sixteen countries collaborating seamlessly. It's easy to see why, in between moments of pure marvel and spectacle, the show works so much more than a series of loosely connected artistic vignettes and performance showcases but towards a greater whole of artistic interpretation.

Cirque du Soleil: Totem | Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver

Backstage, it was mildly reality shattering seeing the tight operations to make all the magic happen all in such close quarters. Almost everything is done internally including laundry and food service, all like a well oiled machine, with performers painstakingly doing their own intricate makeup and preparation.

Cirque du Soleil: Totem | Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver

Music by composers Guy Dubuc and Marc Lessard weave playful, exuberant musical tones throughout, binding the show together with fit and flair. A myriad of highlights throughout include Chinese bowl throwing unicyclists, death defying high wire trapeze stunts, a scientific LED ball light show, and a dangerous high-speed roller skate spinning act.

Cirque du Soleil: Totem | Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver

Totem is a visually stunning, captivating, and overall arresting performance experience. With Cirque's  enduring diversity, it is a compellingly choreographed staged show using theatrics and performances stretch to the absolute highest levels and limits of human capability. The big show runs six days and nine shows a week until July 6 under the big tent. C'est magnifique!


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2 reactions:

Rick Chung said...

What an incredible experience :)

Rick Chung said...

I've passed by the food cart so many times, but haven't been to the restaurant yet!

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