French-Canadian art-circus Cirque du Soleil’s latest production, "Corteo," which opens in San Francisco on Nov. 11, reflects a growing movement in the ever-evolving world of circus arts. Cirque revolutionized the art form in the mid-1980s by bringing a strong theatrical sensibility to the circus and doing away with animal acts, along with two of the traditional circus’ three rings.
A scene from Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo”
By Bill Picture
Published: November, 2005
French-Canadian art-circus Cirque du Soleil’s latest production, Corteo, which opens in San Francisco on Nov. 11, reflects a growing movement in the ever-evolving world of circus arts. Cirque revolutionized the art form in the mid-1980s by bringing a strong theatrical sensibility to the circus and doing away with animal acts, along with two of the traditional circus’ three rings.
But while previous Cirque productions sought to transport audiences to another realm using surreal, dream-like sets and themes, otherworldly scores and elaborate costumes and makeup, Corteo relies less on fantasy and more on reality to entertain audiences.
Over the last few years, the nouveau circus movement has begun a similar shift, downplaying the fanciful chimera in favor of a show and an experience that is decidedly more real and more human.
So, the costumes and makeup in Corteo are minimal, allowing for the performers’ own personalities to shine through. And the entire show centers on a sturdy plot and carefully fleshed-out characters, as opposed to the fantastical themes used to hold previous Cirque productions together.
It’s a complete departure from what we’ve done in the past, explains publicist Melanie Houley. For starters, it’s our most technically advanced show to date. But it’s also more theater. We really wanted the audience to connect with the story and with the performers on the stage.
Corteo follows an elder clown reluctantly facing his own mortality. Over the course of the show, the clown relives scenes from his youth; and, realizing he’s led a full and good life, eventually learns to let go of the past. It’s a beautiful story, Houley says, very emotional.
Corteo, which premiered in Montreal in April, is Cirque’s youngest production to date. All but a handful of the performers are in their early twenties, which meant the show’s creators had to set a few ground rules for the young cast for the sake of the production.
We told them, ‘Please don’t go jumping out of an airplane or do anything crazy like that, don’t cut your hair and don’t get any tattoos,’ Houley jokes. No, they’re young but they’re actually very self-disciplined.
Cirque du Soleil presents Corteo
Nov. 11-Jan. 8, SBC Park, San Francisco
Jan. 19-Feb. 19, Taylor Street, San Jose
$45-$85 adults; $31.50-$59.50 children
Photo: Benoit Aquin
