A magical forest has been set up within the walls of the Rogers K-Rock Centre. Varekai, meaning "whatever" in the Romany language of the gypsies, spectators can feast on an adventure of sequenced acrobatics and stunts, brightly hued costume designs and thunderously executed music performances.
The story of Varekai begins with elements of Greek mythology as the sky lets go of a solitary young man just as Icarus, son of Daedalus, who dared to fly too close to the sun and loses his wings. Though instead of plunging to his death in the sea, he embarks on a journey of transformation and rebirth into the shadows of a wild mysterious hideaway with fantastical creatures.
As Icarus ventures into this foreign land, creatures emerge from the forest to perform a variety of skilled choreographed circus acts; juggling, hand-balancing on canes, Georgian dancing, Russian swings, aerial hoop and straps and more. The shire strength and flexibility of Cirque performers takes your breath away and astounds you with every new move that pushes their bodies to the next level.
An emotional story combined with contemporary circus acts, Varekai brings to surface a world beat soundtrack conjuring up different cultures and magnificently crafted costumes by costume designer Eiko Ishioka. An uncharted territory for her, she gives new shapes to the traditional Lycra bodysuit. Vibrant, flamboyant colours and unusual shapes can be expected. Through needle and thread, Ishioka design creations are Cirque's diligent cultivation of ideas that brings together the story of Varekai. The costumes themselves are a reflection of the movement, the characters and innovative music.
Characters:
Icarus
Innocent and vulnerable, he finds himself wounded in an unknown world. His desire to live and overcome his fears will drive him to new heights and an eventual rebirth.
The Betrothed
An exotic creature who enraptures Icarus with her sensual beauty. She will be his guiding light and he, in turn, will be the catalyst for her metamorphosis.
The Guide
Weathered by the sun of many centuries, he’s like a kindly, fragile great-grandfather—a wise old man whose mission is to inspire and bring about change.
The Skywatcher
Mad scientist and ingenious inventor, collector of the world’s memories and interpreter of signs, this is a man who receives signals, transforms sounds and forewarns of trials and tribulations.
{Hand-balancing on Canes Act}
{Slippery Surface Act}
With seductive hand-balancing acts showing astonishing grace and delicate equilibrium, aerobats creating an illusion of skating on a 'slippery surface' darting and intertwining to human bodies becoming catapults and catchers in elaborate agile presentations, there is true dash of culture, defying gravity stunts and rare circus arts in view. Cirque has embraced unique ways to incorporate different talents and showcasing them with admiration from crowds. Performers captivate your attention as they feed off the crowds energy, your heart thumps as the music beats.
The most daring and alluring acts of Varekai is the Russian Swings. Acrobats are propelled high into the air, performing aerial flips and twists to land in one of two suspended canvas panels or even soar from one moving swing to the other.
Director Dominic Champagne has remarkably paid tribute to the universal wanders and to the art of circus tradition. Cirque has truly gone back to what it is known for, bringing wonder and delight to spectators as a travelling troupe.
A must see show for a romantic date, families and friends.
Behind-the-scenes look at Cirque du Soleil's Varekai production at the Rogers K-Rock Centre:
January 17 | 4pm and 7h30pm
January 18 | 4pm and 7h30pm
January 19 | 1h30pm and 5pm
January 20 | 7h30pm
Rogers K-Rock Centre
Downtown Kingston
What are you waiting for? Get your tickets now!
-xoxo
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