Circus of the Sun
Feb 24, 02:55
I got off a plane at O'Hare around seven this morning but my mind is still in Nevada. I am still completely absorbed by a Cirque Du Soleil performance called O (French for "water").
I spoke with my music theory professor today about the show, and he mentioned that there is really no way to describe Cirque Du Soleil performances to those that have not seen them. I'm pretty sure that he is right, but I'll try anyway: Imagine a large theater in an upscale Las Vegas Casino/Hotel. Now remove the stage and in its place build a 1.5 million gallon tank. Install a stage divided into many sections, all of which can be independently raised and lowered on hydraulics to manipulate the stage area into various combinations of water and "dry land". Now add an entire circus of trapeze artists, tumblers, contortionists, a musical of actors, dancers, and performers, a live band including a string section and vocalists singing in an imaginary language, remarkable costume and set design, and an atmosphere of intrigue and imagination.
For ninety minutes I was fully summersed in a fantasy world that was beautiful, dramatic, humorous, and charming. The only problem is I want to go back and see it all again. I would not hesitate to say that it was the most amazing performance of any kind that I have ever experienced.
A digital survey of the trip can be seen in the photography section; 35mm perspective once I get my film developed.