Cirque du Soleil: Dralion
Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at Alexandra Park, Greenlane, Auckland
09/07/2009 - 23/08/2009
Production Details
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND!
NEW SHOW DRALION VISITS AUCKLAND IN JULY 2009
Cirque du Soleil is excited to return to New Zealand with the stunningly visual and spectacularly executed, Dralion!
Proudly presented by Audi, Dralion opens in Auckland on 9 July 2009, following a year-long, highly successful five city tour of Australia. Dralion is performed under the trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at its new site located at Alexandra Park, Greenlane, Auckland.
Dralion is the fusion of ancient Chinese circus tradition and the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil. The show’s name is drawn from its two main symbols: the dragon, representing the East, and the lion, representing the West. Dralion derives much of its inspiration from Eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between humankind and nature.
Suspended in time between the past and the future, Dralion is a celebration of life and the four elements that maintain the natural order: air, water, fire and earth. Innovation soars to new heights as it defies the laws of nature. Dralion is a dynamic performance that transcends the boundaries of the imagination and leads us into a dreamscape with a new and sparkling perspective.
Since its world premiere in Montreal in April 1999, Dralion has been experienced by more than 8 million fans across 56 cities throughout the world and the cast has just celebrated its 3,500th show in Perth. It will be the fourth Cirque du Soleil production to be presented in New Zealand, after record-breaking numbers attended Varekai, which performed to over 1 million people across Australia and New Zealand in 2006-2007.
Dralion is the first tour where New Zealanders have access to the new revolutionary Cirque du Soleil ticketing system, which has been enormously successful in North America, Europe and Australia. Cirque du Soleil Vice-President of Marketing for Asia-Pacific, Milan Rokic said: "Cirque du Soleil fans demand innovation. With this new state-of-the-art booking tool, they will receive unparalleled access to their choice of viewing experience under the Grand Chapiteau. On stage, Dralion continues our tradition of setting the benchmark for live theatrical productions combined with explosive acrobatic talent".
Bearing the unmistakable avant-garde signature of Cirque du Soleil and featuring a total of 65 artists from 15 countries – including a house troupe of 36 Chinese performers – Dralion will define new heights of acrobatic creativity with its unique and exciting acts. Of course, no Cirque show would be complete without the crazy and colourful clowns, who add more than a touch of madness and audience interaction.
"Its fresh, original and feels excitingly dangerous …. (Sunday Telegraph)
"A fusion of spectacle, opulence and the exquisite, breathtaking artistry of Cirque du Soleil." (The Canberra Times)
"…Thrilling and gravity-defying spectacle" (Daily Telegraph)
Dralion
9 July – 23 August 2009
Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at Alexandra Park, Greenlane, Auckland.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.cirquedusoleil.com
or by phone on (09) 357-0133.
Tickets range from $55.00 to $119.00 for adults and $35.00 to $95.00 for children.
Cirque du Soleil also offers Tapis Rouge – the ultimate VIP Corporate Hospitality Experience. Group Bookings (20 or more) call Ticketek on (09) 357-6713. For General Group Bookings (20 or more) call Ticketek on (09) 357-6713
Gob-smacking spectacle and beauty
Review by Kate Ward-Smythe 11th Jul 2009
Auckland has seen several circus-like productions since the last time Cirque du Soleil rocked into town and pitched the Grande Chapiteau.
Director Guy Caron and Director of Creation Gilles Ste-Croix’s Dralion is a reminder of why Cirque du Soleil‘s world-famous fine-tuned formula elevates their shows head and shoulders above the rest. It is the exquisite integrated design from every creative department – lights, composition, costumes, choreography, set and sound – that makes Cirque du Soleil simply the best.
As per previous shows we have seen (Alegria, Quidam & Varekai), the evening starts with mischief from the clowns whose pre-show antics and anarchy are worth arriving early for. Also familiar, yet still awe inspiring, is the continuous roll out of gymnastic & athletic highlights such as hoop diving, juggling, bamboo poles and skipping ropes from designer of acrobatic acts Li Xining. Intertwined with transitions and dance items from choreographer Julie Lachance and theatrical vocal highlights from extraordinary singers, the formula triumphs once more.
However it is the gravity-defying, fast paced trampoline act, featuring a waterfall of aerialists diving from a dramatically revealed giant metallic patchwork wall, which has everyone raving post-show.
Other crowd favourites on opening night include the graceful beauty of Aerial pas de deux, and the seemingly impossible yet elegant contortions of the single hand-balancing performer.
Dralion’s epic broad ranging music score by composer and Musical Director, Violaine Corradi, drives the night and compliments each act perfectly. Highlights include the urgent rhythms and ‘Xena’ cries during the bamboo pole; the drum & bass meets retro synth rock during the juggler’s impressive act; the rock-opera texture & perfectly timed descending melody during the double trapeze; the good ole’ thigh-slapping’ country hoe-down during the energetic dance of the Dralion; the Yothi-Yindi-like backing vocals during the hoop diving; and finally, the lucid oboe solo which accompanies the aerial duet perfectly, building to a vocal climax reminiscent of Ravel’s ‘Bolero’.
While Dralion‘s themes include a fusion of circus cultures (the dragon of the east meets the lion of the west) and a fusion of the elements fire, water, air and earth (as portrayed by Francois Barbeau’s incredible costumes), for the most part it is the overall beauty and spectacle that leaves the audience gob-smacked, rather than a profound sense of journey or thematic impression.
Dralion is the perfect luxurious escape from this cold climate – start saving now though; it may take a while, as the best never comes cheap. Check on line: the Auckland-only season ends 23 August.
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