Cirque du Soeil is making its way back to Kingston with a new show titled OVO from December 7th to 11th - a headlong rush into a colourful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. Filled with mystery, beauty and moments of quiet emotion - it showcases the hidden, secret world beneath our feet.
A company that has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents, Kingston is thankful for the arrival of OVO especially with the holiday season. This exciting show is comprised of 50 performing artists from 12 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts and I had the most amazing opportunity to get a sneak peek at what goes on backstage before opening night and get an insider's look at the 'fashion' of all the costumes!
{One of the funny spider performer reveals her sensual side as she weaves her body over, under and through the strands of her web.}
The challenge that was poised was to imagine a way to evoke insects without copying their actual anatomy. “The solution was to connect with the feeling of being face to face with a spider, a cockroach or a butterfly,” she explains. As the costumes came together microscope photography of insects reveals that the materials used in the costumes were remarkably similar in structure to the bodies of insects. How amazing!
The overall setting of OVO is a stylized habitat that is home to the insects. At times it is a forest, at other times, a cave—or it could even be a house. Gringo’s objective was to create an organic environment that could lead to many other places.
With the characters onstage, the set design comes to life!
A company that has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents, Kingston is thankful for the arrival of OVO especially with the holiday season. This exciting show is comprised of 50 performing artists from 12 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts and I had the most amazing opportunity to get a sneak peek at what goes on backstage before opening night and get an insider's look at the 'fashion' of all the costumes!
{An OVO performer fine tunes his slack wire act while also giving media a show.}
{Backstage where all the practice happens}
{OVO acrobats stretching before opening night at Rogers K-Rock Centre}
Costumes
This may just have to be my favourite part of any Cirque show as it is a world full of colours and costume designer for OVO Liz Vandal is the perfect fit. With a special affinity for the world of the insects, Vandal's signature style is inspired by futuristic superheroes and by suits of armour from all eras. OVO's costume design was conceived with inspiration from fashion designers such as Pierre Cardin, who focused on graphic lines and geometric shapes. But has also exploited the permanent pleating technique developed by Japanese designer Issey Miyake, which gives a certain rigidity to material and creates an organic effect. “We pushed this technique even further,” Vandal says, “by printing on colored materials, sublimation and eroding the fabric not only to stiffen it, but also to give it a metallic sheen.”The challenge that was poised was to imagine a way to evoke insects without copying their actual anatomy. “The solution was to connect with the feeling of being face to face with a spider, a cockroach or a butterfly,” she explains. As the costumes came together microscope photography of insects reveals that the materials used in the costumes were remarkably similar in structure to the bodies of insects. How amazing!
{Pieces of the Ladybug's costume who is big and strong but doesn’t realize it and full of life!}
Did you know most characters have two versions of their costumes: the first, more lightweight and functional, for their acrobatic performance, and the second, more richly detailed and heavier, for their life in the community! Who knew?!
{Taking a glimpse at the colourful costume and wardrobe department of OVO}
Set Design
The set elements for OVO are quite unique as they are integral to the storyline. Drawing inspiration from the structures that certain species of insect create when they establish nests and colonies was how designer Gringo Cardia created an organic space and interpreting nature.The overall setting of OVO is a stylized habitat that is home to the insects. At times it is a forest, at other times, a cave—or it could even be a house. Gringo’s objective was to create an organic environment that could lead to many other places.
With the characters onstage, the set design comes to life!
See you at one of the many OVO Cirque do Soleil shows in Kingston this week!
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