Internationally renowned circus troupe Cirque du Soleil has received mixed reviews for its show Varekai, which hit the stage here last night in a tent located in a parking lot at Taipei’s Nangang Exhibition Hall (南港展覽館). The strange thing is, the criticism has little to do with the performance.
Ticket prices, merchandising and a general corporate vibe have led some reviewers to complain that Cirque du Soleil has moved away from its performance roots when it began over a quarter century ago on the streets of Montreal.
A reviewer from The Stage complained that Cirque is “intent on prising every last coin from London’s tight little fist,” — and then went on to call it “spectacular,” writing that “it would be churlish not to welcome its return.” The Independent said there was something “very corporate” about the troupe’s approach to circus, adding that the “performers are spectacular.” And the the Guardian, perhaps being a little mean spirited, said that Varekai’s “genuine talent is surrounded by all kinds of kitschy flimflam.”
Photos: Reuters and courtesy of Gold Media Group
The rantings of world-weary theater pundits?
“This is sometimes mentioned in other parts of the world,” said Varekai publicist Cynthia Clemente in a telephone interview with the Taipei Times.
“To bring Varekai to different places is very expensive,” she said.
Photos: Reuters and courtesy of Gold Media Group
Clemente, who has been with Cirque for six years and was in Taipei for its 2009 performance of Alegria, said that in addition to transporting 170 people and 67 containers across the world, there is also feeding and lodging of the cast and crew.
“That’s why ticket [prices] are a little high — though not especially high for this quality of show,” she said.
Taipei audiences clearly agree. Tickets for Alegria sold out far in advance and roughly 90 percent of tickets for Varekai have been sold as of press time.
Photos: Reuters and courtesy of Gold Media Group
Whatever the beef with Cirque, audiences are sure to be stunned and astounded by the feats of the performers.
Varekai, which means “wherever” in Romany, is loosely based on the myth of Icarus, who plunges to Earth after flying too close to the Sun.
In Cirques’ interpretation, Icarus lands in a world populated with exotic beings (magicians, clowns, jugglers and acrobats — all decked out in vibrant costumes, some of which resemble a cross between a reptile and dragon fruit) and falls in love with a beautiful nymph (a contortionist).
Photos: Reuters and courtesy of Gold Media Group
The plot is somewhat vague, but who cares? As Clemente said, “It brings [audiences] to that little world of magic that a human being can do,” a sentiment echoed by the Telegraph’s reviewer.
“It’s the acts that matter and they are sensational,” the critic wrote.
Photos: Reuters and courtesy of Gold Media Group
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