Cirque du Soleil Quidam is in Austin Texas and you’re in for night of clowns, beautiful athletes, fabulous costumes, and remarkable feats of artistry, poise, sensuality and balance. This was my first Cirque de Soleil and I was blown away!
The story features a young ZoĆ© that is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world – the world of Quidam – where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.
I was given theĀ privilegeĀ to check out the Cirque de Soleil set up the day before and interview the catering manager, Brandon Martin. The executive chef, Brian, and Brandon are responsible for planning the mealsĀ for 100 people from all corners of the world with diverse diets while working out of a 53-foot trailer. It is important to keep the menus diverse because they cook for the same crowd over & over, week after week, while food shopping in different cities, states and countries. They actually try to cook with local ingredients from the surrounding farms and butchers.
Interesting eating quirks of the staff include the Chinese girls who make everything into soup using hot water & sriracha sauce and the Russians love their ketchup & mayo. The acrobatic artists can burn 5,000 calories a day; the set-up crew has hours that go round the clock!
Some of my favorite acts:
German Wheel | The German Wheel was taken to a whole new level in Quidam! The artist became a human spoke as he spun, turned, twists andĀ maneuveredĀ the wheel, performed gravity-defying somersaults and acrobatics.
Diabolos | I was super excited to see the Chinese yo-yo! I use it play it when I was younger but obviously not as talented. The Chinese performers have evolved this child’s game into an art form.
Aerial Contortion in Silk | Intensity, power and grace are combined as young woman became one with the column of red fabric which supported and cradled her. The haunting music and the contortionist created a stunning effect!
Skipping Ropes | Do you remember the joy you felt as a child skipping rope with your friends? Drawing itsĀ inspirationĀ from dance, acrobatic and the art of manipulation, Cirque de Soleil tranformed this into aĀ choreographicĀ feature.
Cirque du Soleil Quidam will be in Austin from Feb 29 – March 4th
For ticket information, visit CedarParkCenter.com
