What Makes Cirque Du Soleil One Of The Best Circus Shows?
Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian entertainment company and the most significant contemporary circus producer in the world. Located in downtown Saint-Michel, founded in Baie-Saint-Paul on June 16, 1984, by ex-street artists Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix.
History Of Cirque du Soleil
In the early 80s, a group of artists founded by Gilles Ste-Croix brought their talents to the streets of Baie-Saint-Paul, a Charming village on the banks of the Saint-Laurent river, Quebec. The group known to the public as Les Échassiers de Baie-Saint-Paul (Baie-Saint-Paul Stilt Walkers) formed the nucleus of what would become Cirque du Soleil. The cast put on an eclectic mix of jugglers, dancers, flamethrowers, and musicians, who delighted local fans with their performances. Little did these early fans and artists know that these germs would bring something magical, exciting, and revolutionary across the globe.
The Birth Of Cirque du Soleil
Guy Laliberté decided that the show they were developing was ready to please fans outside of their hometown. So in 1984, to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Jacque Cartier‘s discovery of Canada, Laliberté decided to tour the province, offering a glimpse into the future of circus art while reflecting on the history of this storied country. This touring show provides a unique perspective on circus art: animal-free, awe-inspiring, theatrical, beautiful, and thoughtful. Street performances feature outrageous costumes, magical lighting, and original music. Laliberté named this new mobile troupe Cirque du Soleil because, as he said, “the sun symbolizes youth, vitality and strength.” A fitting name; when the sun rose at Cirque du Soleil, a new dawn dawned on the world of circus arts.
The Use Of Animals
Cirque du Soleil, the world’s largest theater producer, doesn’t use animals in its shows. Instead, puppeteers, stilt performers, acrobats, dancers, and trapeze perform lively and captivating characters.
International Recognition
Cirque du Soleil first made waves on the international stage when it toured the United States for the first time in 1987. They reimagined The Circus stunned LA Music Festival fans and the press with their unique take on the circus. Detailed set design, a stage surrounded by seats on all four sides, and dynamic audience interaction—in which the audience engages both physically and imaginatively—paved the way for the complex template that has become the hallmark of every new Cirque du Soleil. After sold-out shows in San Diego and Santa Monica, they reinvented the circus and led Cirque du Soleil’s first overseas tour in Europe in 1990.
The First Permanent Circus Show
In 1993, Mystere became Cirque du Soleil’s first permanent show. Performed in theaters purpose-built for the show’s intricacies, Mystere lights up the Las Vegas Strip and becomes a must-stop on any Las Vegas trip. After two decades in Las Vegas, Mystere still fills his theaters and dazzles generations with his art and good looks. Here Cirque du Soleil stayed and, in the following years, expanded to conquer Asia, Europe, and South America with a series of new shows, touring around the world and captivating modern circus fans on the big stages.
Global Cirque du Soleil Shows
- Alegría: Alegría is a Cirque du Soleil classic for a new generation that has fallen in love with it. At the heart of a kingdom that lost its king, AlegrÍa witnesses a power struggle between the old order and a new movement hungry for hope and revival.
- CRYSTAL: Crystal is a new way of performing as Cirque du Soleil hits the ice in ways that exceed all expectations. Watch world-class skaters and acrobats defy the laws of gravity with unprecedented acrobatics, taking over their new frozen playground with speed and fluidity.
- Mad Apple: The Mad Apple is a delicious Cirque du Soleil cocktail starring Harrison Greenbaum that combines New York-style acrobatics, music, dance, magic, and comedy.
- KOOZA: Kooza is a near-perfect show that combines the sounds of the subcontinent, stunning lighting, and costumes with theatrical ingenuity and acrobatic wonders.
- JOYÀ: Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Mexico, combines culinary and performance arts in an intimate theatrical setting that engages the audience’s five senses. Drawing from the history and heritage of Mexico, JOYÀ tells the story of an alchemist and his granddaughter on a journey to unravel the mysteries of life.
- LUZIA: Luzia is inspired by the people, places, and stories that make up Mexico. Travel through dreamlike Mexico, from ancient folklore to today’s urban landscape.
Conclusion
Cirque du Soleil is the world’s most popular circus company. The company is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The troupe was founded by Laliberté, who named it after the sun, which symbolizes youth, vitality and strength. There are many different shows to enjoy around the world. The company has expanded to conquer Asia, Europe and South America with a series of new shows.
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