Published on MassVacation Blog, June 25, 2012.
People gasped, wholly astonished. They laughed, shook their heads in
disbelief, watched in nervous silence, and applauded wildly throughout
the evening.
That’s what Cirque du Soleil Totem does to its audience, as we
discovered firsthand after recently attending the opening show. Cirque
is in Boston through July, over at the spacious Marine Industrial
Park, right along the city’s stunning waterfront in South Boston.
Held under a giant, state-of-the-art Circus Tent and pavilion, Cirque
features some of the world’s greatest acrobats, stuntmen, magicians,
actors, comedians, mimes and athletes. The troupe is like a United
Nations, with artists from Canada and the United States (including
Native American Indians), as well as China, Russia, New Zealand, France
and other corners of the world.
And so was the audience – diverse in every way, with kids, parents
and grandparents, students, tourists, and locals all mingling together.
Indeed, one of the great qualities of the show is its universal appeal.
Just to brief you – Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun) was formed
in Quebec City in 1984 by a group of artists and dreamers devoted to
live theatre and street performance. Since then it has become one of the
truly great entertainment and cultural spectacles of our time.
This Cirque show on tour in Boston is called Totem – whose theme
traces the journey of the human species from its original amphibian
state to its ultimate desire to fly.
The opening stage set was of a gigantic turtle, from which all sorts
of visual and acrobatic activity emerged. The feats of daring were
breathtaking, much of them done without nets. What we loved, too, was
the French-inspired whimsy and impishness that brought the audience
right into the show before the curtain even went up.
The eight-piece live band was terrific, blending together indigenous
melody with a driving polyrhythm that lent to the drama and flair of the
performers.
A true highlight of the show had to be the state-of-the-art
technology used to create shifting landscapes and seascapes throughout
the show. The set designs, lighting, sound, and staging were remarkable
in creating just the right ambiance and mood throughout the performance.
Even more good news – getting into Marine Industrial Park was easy;
it is right off Northern Avenue, close to the Boston Convention Center
and the World Trade Center. It overlooks Boston Harbor, and is where
cruise ships dock in the summer. A public parking garage is two-minutes
from the tent, with local police directing traffic. The Cirque staff is
efficient and friendly, from the ticket counter to the merchandise
shops, food counter, and wine and beer stations. Even the restrooms were
clean, well stocked, and efficiently placed around the facility to
avoid long lines.
Would we go back again? Definitely! Cirque du Soleil is one of the
most amazing, entertaining, and inspiring shows we’ve seen in a long
time. The fact that it’s right in Boston gives visitors all sorts of
options for dining, sightseeing or staying overnight in one of the
hotels within walking distance.
Vive Le Cirque!
For show times, and ticket information, click
here.
- Review by Michael Quinlin of
MassJazz.
