Art moguls, parents, stoners, seniors, children and casual thrill-seekers can rarely all enjoy the same entertainment, but with the innovations of Cirque du Soleil, they can all rejoice in the same incredible experience.
Audiences were treated to a dazzling synthesis of music, acrobatics and multimedia at the HSBC Arena Monday when Cirque du Soleil presented "Delirium."
Delirium" showcases 20 of the internationally renowned performance group's most famous songs remixed by Quebecois producer and musician Francis Collard.
At most events, front-row seats are more desirable, but the arrangement of "Delirium" raises the value of the cheap seats. A 130-foot stage bisects the arena, with giant white curtains draped on either side for image projection. One can only truly grasp the whole thing in what would normally be considered the nosebleed section.
As the title suggests, several nightmarish scenes emerge in "Delirium." A bald, demon-like creature crawls out of a sewer and starts growling in a fictitious language. Meanwhile, grainy images of old men and women haunt the tangential curtains. The beast reveals his 10-feet-tall frame enhanced by stilts and stalks around muttering to himself like Gollum of "The Lord of the Rings."
The music is diverse and epic, incorporating many different styles of electronic, instrumental and vocal music. Genres range from Gregorian chanting to rock, techno, tribal and jazz. All of the music is played live, and many songs are good enough to stand alone as entertainment.
Even the supporting musicians immerse themselves in their roles. There are so many parts that some instruments like shakers and bongo drums aren't overtly heard, but help to create an ambient effect.
This is the first time Cirque du Soleil instrumental tracks have added lyrics in English rather than a fictional tongue. The lyrics add a poetic tingle to the pieces, and help to better clarify the abstract story.
The story behind "Delirium" is not a traditional narrative, but a mosaic of psychological, primal and spiritual themes. The main character is a properly dressed man floating under a balloon around the space above the stage. The demonic character from the sewer appears to symbolize the fearful part of him. The demon steals what is apparently an important and powerful orb, while the man tries to battle his demons for control of his life.
The fantastic and dreamlike imagery of "Delirium" is only augmented by the crystal-clear projections on the screens, floors, audience and even performers' clothing. Pre-recorded video, animations and manipulated live images add to an already-saturated show.
In one scene, dancers pull at the dress of a woman suspended high above the stage. Her gown flows out to make a gigantic tent, and the backlit silhouettes of the dancers sweep across with street-performer moves. They then make a giant pavilion by propping the woman's dress up on sticks and celebrate under it to a jungle beat.
Playing with hula-hoops is just a hobby for most, but one performer made a career out of it. She can swing one hoop on her leg, another on her leg above her head, and twirl another two with her hands.
There are plenty of high-flying stunts, from the traditional ring-trapeze acrobatics to women spinning in and manipulating sheets slung high in the air. The creators must have great trust in their acrobats as they soar over the crowd on lighted ropes.
Translucent retractable sheets often mask the stage, allowing the stage to transform to any setting. Clouds appear and waves roll as the balloon rider tumbles through them and is washed away. Flowers appear and the balloon becomes a yellow sun to an urban, "Stomp"-like beat. These backdrops give the feeling of watching a movie rather than a stage show.
The show culminates with bursts of confetti and a parade through the aisles with gigantic white sperm and spiked ball floats. The performers let fly enormous white balloons for the audience to bat around. A standing ovation followed as the performers broke character for the first time and basked in the appreciation of the audience.
Cirque du Soleil has been a pioneer in creating a diverse, multi-dimensional experience unlike any other art form. Age-old traditions like acrobatics combined with electronic and modern music, and stylish, vivid visualizations create a remarkable experience.
