SPOTLIGHT ON ALEGRIA - Cirque du Soleil
シルク・ドゥ・ソレイユ、それは世界が認めるエンターテインメント集団です。カナダ・ケベックで誕生したシルク・ドゥ・ソレイユは、世界中から高い評価を得ています。1984年カナダ・ケベックで誕生して以来、世界6大陸、70か国、450都市以上で2.15億人もの人々を魅了し世界中から高い評価を得ています。(English) Cirque du Soleil is a world-renowned entertainment company. Born in Quebec, Canada, Cirque du Soleil is acclaimed worldwide. Since its birth in 1984 in Quebec, Canada, it has attracted 215 million people in over 450 cities on six continents, in 70 countries and has received high praise from all over the world.
SPOTLIGHT ON ALEGRIA - Cirque du Soleil
//Summary - Level B2//
Cirque du Soleil is a renowned entertainment company known worldwide for its performances pushing human ability's limits. Unfortunately, the company was greatly affected by the pandemic in 2020, but in 2021, it will make a new and powerful revival with a new version of "Alegria." This show closed in 2013 but was reborn in 2019 as "Alegria -New Light-." The set, costumes, and makeup have been redesigned, creating a visual style that highlights the artist more, and the themes are "resilience" and "humanity." The "Alegria -New Light-" will land in Tokyo in February 2023 and Osaka in July.
A)
1)
Cirque du Soleil is a world-renowned entertainment company.
Born in Quebec, Canada, Cirque du Soleil is acclaimed worldwide.
Since its birth in 1984 in Quebec, Canada, it has attracted 215 million people in over 450 cities on six continents, in 70 countries and has received high praise from all over the world.
2)
Cirque du Soleil continues to be loved across generations and borders for its performances that push the limits of human ability and for its commitment to everything from live performance to lighting, set design, costumes and choreography. It is at the pinnacle of artistry that fuses.
The work's concept and storytelling are essential elements that capture the audience's hearts.
3)
Cirque du Soleil, whose fame and many people in Japan recognise ability, has cancelled performances worldwide in 2020 due to the global pandemic of the new coronavirus.
As a result, I have been greatly affected by the company's history.
The news sent shock waves around the world.
However, it also led to a renewed recognition of its importance and an opportunity to reaffirm "what entertainment should be".
4)
In 2021, Cirque du Soleil, which will make a new and powerful revival, believed in the realisation of the following performance in Japan, despite the difficulties.
As we once again feel Cirque du Soleil's love for Japan, we will walk the path of entertainment revival together from here.
B)
5)
New light for the reborn "Alegria
The world has experienced a sad and painful time with an unprecedented pandemic.
Even in such a difficult time, we want to plunge into the changing world with solid hope.
We believe in the power of entertainment and want to bring new "joy" to everyone.
6)
"Alegria", born in 1994, closed once in 2013 but was reborn in 2019 as "Alegria -New Light-" to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The set and costumes have been completely redesigned, including the makeup, creating a visual style that highlights the artist even more with "resilience" and "humanity".
The reborn "Alegria - New Light" will land in Tokyo in February 2023 and Osaka in July.
So please enjoy the "memories" you will never forget for the rest of your life and the "emotions" you will feel at the live performance
with this wonderful person.C)
7)
Story
An enchanting journey through a changing world
There was a kingdom that had lost its king and its former glory.
There is a power struggle between the old conservative order and the younger generation looking for change and hope.
Though clumsy, a clown who once served the king acts as if he is heir to the throne.
Young men rise from the streets to shift the balance of power and bring light and harmony to their land.
D)
8)
Highlight No.1
A new challenge to rethink the essence of Cirque du Soleil
Since 1994, "Alegria" has become a springboard for Cirque du Soleil's global expansion.
"Alegria" was born in 1994 and has been performed in 255 cities worldwide for almost 19 years, attracting more than 14 million spectators before the curtain fell once in 2013.
It is the longest-running unique production of Cirque du Soleil's many touring shows.
In 2019, its 25th anniversary, Atarashii Hikari(=new light) was reborn as something unique.
After the global pandemic, it was an important step to resume tent performances overseas.9)
Highlight #2
A legendary anthem that unites old and new fans
The sound of the show's name, "Alegría", and the fantastic music (theme of the anthem) are probably etched in your memory.
The music of "Alegria", which remains in the memory of everyone in Japan, was highly acclaimed worldwide and sold over 500,000 copies. It was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1995, which is highly unusual for a circus entertainment soundtrack.
And the legendary theme song "Alegria", which remains part of Cirque du Soleil's history, retains the grandeur of the past but with a modern interpretation, electronic sounds and rock elements, and a completely new arrangement.
10)
Highlight No.3
The stage design and costumes have been renewed, and the acrobatics have evolved. A legend in which everything is reborn.
New winds and good old things move with the times.
The set evokes both 'past' and 'present' power structures. Inspired by the art of craftsmanship and goldsmithing, it is presented in a contemporary context on a grand scale.
11)
Hierarchy of power
The stage has a three-layered structure with different heights. The highest level is the gate, which separates the closed world of the monarchy from the outside world. The middle class symbolises the court, and the lowest level represents the streets.
12)
The passage of time
As you enter the Big Top, you will see a massive crown at the back of the stage. It has organically curved illuminated branches. Overgrown ivy entwines and infringes on the structure as if nature has regained its rightful place in this impoverished kingdom.
13)
Many metaphors
The Alegria set is full of symbols. The big crown curtain is a symbol of royal power, and the salamanders depicted on it are symbols of the French Renaissance. The old throne, twisted and distorted, has lost all its lustre over time, and there are even parts that no longer retain their shape.
14)
Costumes
The costume design has also been renewed from the past "Alegria". In a realm needing hope and renewal, the clothes of the old nobility are faded and tattered. The fabric is digitally printed to recreate the ageing scars and texture.
15)
From darkness to light
Alegria's lighting design is based on the duality of light and shadow-the lighting changes from traditional to modern, such as moving mirrors in the second act. The lighting fixtures suspended above the stage double as chandeliers and acrobatic devices. In addition, some of the 64 branches of the crown are fitted with LED lights, making the dome appear to emit light.
16)
Acrobatics
Advanced acrobatics is the actual value of Cirque du Soleil. Backflips and somersaults are performed freely on a giant trampoline, and a beautiful love story unfolds in the air with the most challenging techniques and suppleness.
Add-info)
Cirque du Soleil rebounds after the pandemic, bankruptcy protection. - Published Dec 21, 2022
"It was the worst, then it developed into the best time of my business career," Fisher said in a Teams interview Wednesday.
As we went into COVID, that was the worst. We had to shut down all the shows. We had to release 95% or more of all our employees at Cirque. You know the whole bankruptcy story. We were negotiating with suppliers and partners during the entire bankruptcy process. So that six months of shutting things down, all those proceedings, was just miserable. It was the worst thing you could imagine. There was nothing good then.
Two years later, Cirque is indeed back. When everything stopped in the spring of 2020 with the arrival of COVID, the circus had to shutter 44 shows, many already on and others set to be presented shortly. As a result, they laid off about 95% of their 4,000 employees at the time. Now, the Cirque has 38 operational shows and employs around 3,600 people worldwide.
Six permanent Cirque du Soleil shows you are running in Las Vegas, the same number as before the pandemic. There are also eight touring shows on the road, three in North America, one in South America, two in Europe, one in the Middle East and one in Asia. In addition, there are Cirque productions everywhere, from the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. (Drawn to Life) to Riviera Maya in Mexico (Joyà).
"As far as our Big Top shows go, we have been amazed and pleased that the demand across the world is still there for our Big Top shows," Fisher said. "Here in Montreal, Kooza did the most tickets for a Cirque show. When we opened with (Ovo), we broke the record there in London. In Madrid, we will break the record there (with Luzia). So we've been able to come back with the Big Top shows without missing a beat."
ABOUT ALEGRIA
My Circus DNA | Ammed Tuniziani | Cirque du Soleil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VWALVseSF0
SPOTLIGHT ON ALEGRIA | Cirque du Soleil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y5_VyEwZhc
60-MINUTE SPECIAL #3 | Cirque du Soleil | Alegría, Kooza, KÀ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL0TG_nCqzE