O (Cirque du Soleil)

Last updated
O
O logo.png
Logo for Cirque du Soleil's O
Company Cirque du Soleil
Genre Contemporary circus
Show typeResident showing
Date of premiereOctober 17, 1998 [1]
Location Bellagio, Las Vegas
Creative team
Writer and director Franco Dragone
Director of creationGilles Ste-Croix
Set designerMichel Crête
Composer Benoit Jutras
Costume designerDominique Lemieux
Lighting designer Luc Lafortune
ChoreographerDebra Brown
Sound designersFrançois Bergeron
Jonathan Deans
Artistic swimming designerSylvie Fréchette
Aerial acrobatics designerAndré Simard
Rigging designerJaque Paquin
Make-up designerNathalie Gagné
Other information
Preceded by Quidam (1996)
Succeeded by La Nouba (1998)
Official website

O is a water-themed stage production by Cirque du Soleil, a Canadian circus and entertainment company. The show has been in permanent residence at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, since October 1998. O, whose name is pronounced the same way as eau, the French word for "water", takes place around and above a 1.5-million-US-gallon (5,700 m3) pool of water. It features water acts such as synchronized swimming as well as aerial and ground acts. The O theatre, which is designed to resemble a 14th-century European opera house, has 1,800 seats, thus allowing the performance to be watched by 3,600 people a night since the performance usually plays twice in a given day. The theatre was also designed to meet the special demands of the show. [2]

Contents

O was inspired by the "infinity and elegance of water's pure form," which pays tribute to the beauty of the theatre. A group of 150 stage technicians assists in the production of the show, the cast of which is 85 performers: international acrobats, synchronized swimmers, and divers. Some of them are former Olympic athletes. [2]

History

Since late October 2010, Cirque du Soleil has offered backstage tours of the O theatre. The experience allows visitors to see the backstage wings, training rooms, costume workshop, break area, underwater lighting area, and go up to a catwalk into the sound and lighting booths. Not every experience will be the same as the tour is conducted around a "regular day", so performers may or may not be training, rehearsing, or even working out. [3] [4] [5]

As of early 2011, O has grossed over $1 billion since the show opened in 1998. [6]

O has received many awards, including the following:

O had its 10,000th performance on 1 September 2019. [8]

Set and technical information

The show has a cast of 85 acrobats, synchronized swimmers and divers performing in and above a 1.5 million-gallon pool. When maintenance needs to be performed, the pool is drained in about 12 hours to the Bellagio Lake, causing the lake's water level to rise 1 inch (25 mm). [9] The pool is kept at 88 °F (31 °C) and has an underwater speaker system and regulators that allow performers to breathe underwater. [10] Every member of the cast is scuba-certified.

The underwater stage lift was produced by Handling Specialty. [11] In order for the platform stage to rise and fall in the water without a wake, the rubber surface of the stage is perforated. [12]

Cold air vents under each seat help control the theatre temperature for the audience. The goal is to maintain two temperature zones in the theatre: the stage is kept at a higher temperature of 84 °F (29 °C), while the audience area is kept at a lower temperature of 72 °F (22 °C). A mesh false ceiling allows warm moist air to escape out of the top of the theatre. [12]

To minimize damage to the musical instruments, the musicians play from glass enclosures in the theatre. Some of the musical instruments used in the show are more than 100 years old. The unique string instrument heard in the soundtrack of O is an erhu , a traditional Chinese bowed string instrument.

To maintain a fresh look on the performers, some performers have multiple sets of costumes so they may reappear dry despite having been in the water. Some of the costumes only have a lifespan of approximately 20 shows due to the bromide and chlorine in the water. [12] [13]

Additional facts about the show:

Characters

The cast of O includes many unique and surreal characters. [16]

Costumes

Costumes for O drew inspiration from many sources: commedia dell'arte , the Baroque, India, the Arabian Nights , as well as Venetian courtly fashions. The costumes' silhouettes are defined by the design and are accentuated by the transparency of the selected materials and fabrics. Many costumes' base design are leotards which are then expounded upon: this includes the Zebras and Flayed Ones, among others. The Flayed Ones' leotards, for example, originally had hand-painted muscles on them, as digital screen-printing was inaccessible at the time of creation. Another special attribute critical to costumes in O is their treatment to help withstand the water and chemicals in it. To achieve this feat, roughly 40% of the costumes have been applied with a specific type of silicon sizing. In addition, the materials chosen are more durable and had to be able to both mould to the performer's body and dry quickly. [17] Over the years the best fabric found for the costumes has been nylon mesh, which performs well either wet or dry. [18]

Additional facts regarding the costumes: [18]

Music

The music of O was composed by Benoit Jutras and features a mix of classical Western and world instrumentation, including Chinese violin ( erhu ), bagpipes, African guitar and harp ( kora ), Colombian guitar, cello, ancient woodwinds and a wide variety of percussion instruments. [20] During the show, the score is performed by a live band situated behind glass walls above and to the side of the stage. The glass protects the musicians' equipment from moisture damage.

O's music was recorded at the Bellagio and released on November 24, 1998. (ASIN   B00000FDJZ) The album was re-released on September 6, 2005. (ASIN   B000A2H9WU) The songs are listed below with their corresponding act in parentheses. [21]

Album track list (and acts in the show accompanied by each song):

  1. Jeux d'Eau (Solo and duo trapeze)
  2. Mer Noire (Barge)
  3. Tzelma (Interlude from bateau)
  4. Africa (Interlude from clown act 1)
  5. Remous (Bateau)
  6. Svecounia (Interlude from contortion, cerceaux)
  7. Nostalgie (Intro to russian swings)
  8. Simcha (Character parade, Russian swings)
  9. Gamelan (Contortion)
  10. Ephra (Flying man and cadre)
  11. Désert (Opening, nage, solo and duo trapeze)
  12. Terre Aride (Fire)
  13. O (Finale)

Additional songs in the show not included on the album:

Filmography

In 2007, Cirque du Soleil released the film Flow (A Tribute to the Artists of "O"). The documentary was filmed in the O theatre and by the Colorado River. The film shows certain artists performing out around the river as well as on stage and provides information on the necessary technical equipment used to produce the performance. Bonus features of Flow include: performance clips, Russian swing act, technical information and film below the surface of the O pool, and information about the creation of O itself. [22]

In 2009, Flow won the Prix Italia award for the category of Creativity in High Definition. [7]

The following acts were used in Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away :

Related Research Articles

<i>Quidam</i> Former Cirque du Soleil production

Quidam was the ninth stage show produced by Cirque du Soleil. It premiered in April 1996 and has been watched by millions of spectators around the world. Quidam originated as a big-top show in Montreal and was converted into an arena format beginning with its 2010 tour in North America. It then changed back to the Big Top for a 3-month run in Seoul, South Korea before returning to an arena show for its tour to Oceania. The show performed for the final time in Christchurch, New Zealand on February 26, 2016.

Saltimbanco was a touring show by Cirque du Soleil. Saltimbanco ran from 1992 to 2006 in its original form, performed under a large circus tent called the Grand Chapiteau; its last performance in that form was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 10, 2006. A new adaptation of the show started touring North America on July 31, 2007, with its first stop in London, Ontario, Canada. The new version was staged in arenas with fewer performances in each city it visited. The new version closed at the end of 2012.

<i>Alegría</i> (Cirque du Soleil) Touring live entertainment production

Alegría is a Cirque du Soleil touring production, created in 1994 by director Franco Dragone and director of creation Gilles Ste-Croix. It takes its name from the Spanish word for "joy".

Mystère is one of six resident Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, Nevada. Held in a custom theatre at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, the show was first performed on 25 December 1993, making it the company's longest running show. As with many Cirque du Soleil productions, Mystère features a mixture of circus skills, dance, elaborate sets, opera, worldbeat music, and street theatre-style comedy. Featuring a musical score composed by René Dupéré and Benoît Jutras, the show was created under the direction of Franco Dragone.

<i>La Nouba</i> Cirque du Soleil show

La Nouba was a Cirque du Soleil show that ran for 19 years in a custom-built, freestanding theater at Disney Springs' West Side at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It was a contemporary circus performance featuring acrobats, gymnasts, and other skilled performers. The show's creation was directed by Franco Dragone, who also directed many of Cirque du Soleil's earlier shows. Its title derives from the French phrase faire la nouba, meaning "to party" or "to live it up".

Varekai was a Cirque du Soleil touring production that premiered in Montréal in April 2002. Its title means "wherever" in the Romani language, and the show is an "acrobatic tribute to the nomadic soul".

<i>Nouvelle Expérience</i> Cirque du Soleil show

Nouvelle Expérience was Cirque du Soleil's fourth touring circus show, which premiered in 1990.

Benoît Jutras is a Canadian composer. Jutras is best known for his work with the Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil, first as music director and later as composer for several of the company's contemporary circus shows. Jutras' music often blends eclectic influences, including world beat, classical, rock, trip hop, and electronica. His scores for Cirque du Soleil shows include O, Mystère, Quidam, and La Nouba. His work outside Cirque du Soleil has included original soundtracks for Le Rêve, the Glow in the Park Parade, and The House of Dancing Water. He has also composed for film and television.

Olga Pikhienko is a circus performer who specializes in handbalancing and contortion. Pikhienko started in rhythmic gymnastics at the age of five. When she was eleven, she started performing with her father, Sasha Pikhienko, at the Nikulin Circus based in Moscow. Olga's act with her father won them a gold medal in 1992 at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris. In 1993, they won a silver medal in Beijing, China at the World Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steben Twins</span> Canadian twin trapeze artists

Karyne and Sarah Steben, also known as the Steben Twins, are Canadian twin trapeze artists. The pair were the first female innovators of the feet-to-feet catching technique.

<i>Zed</i> (Cirque du Soleil) Former Cirque du Soleil production

Zed was Cirque du Soleil's second resident show in Asia. It premiered on October 1, 2008, at the Cirque du Soleil Theater, Tokyo Disney Resort, in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan. Inspiration for Zed was taken from the Tarot and its Arcana; the main character Zed represents the Fool of the Tarot. The show depicted Zed's journey and his role in uniting two mythical groups, the people of the earth and sky. The production closed permanently on December 31, 2011.

<i>Zumanity</i> Cirque du Soleil show

Zumanity (zoo-manity) was a resident cabaret-style show by Cirque du Soleil at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, placed into the theatre previously occupied by Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance (musical). The production was unveiled on September 20, 2003 and had its last performance on March 14, 2020. It was announced on November 16, 2020 that the show would be closing permanently. It is the first "adult-themed" Cirque du Soleil show, billed as "the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil" or "another side of Cirque du Soleil". Created by René Richard Cyr and Dominic Champagne, Zumanity is a departure from the standard Cirque format. Intended to be for mature adult audiences only, this show is centered on erotic song, dance, acrobatics, and comedy.

<i>Zaia</i> Cirque du Soleil show

Zaia was a Cirque du Soleil stage production based at The Venetian Macao on the Cotai Strip in Macau. The 90-minute show opened in August 2008, bringing together 75 high-calibre artists from around the world. Zaia was Cirque du Soleil's first resident show in Asia and was directed by Neilson Vignola and Gilles Maheu. The custom-built theater housing the performance was capable of seating 1,800 spectators at a time.

<i>Ovo</i> (Cirque du Soleil) Touring circus production

Ovo is a touring circus production by Cirque du Soleil that premiered in Montréal, Canada in 2009. Ovo's creator and director, Deborah Colker, took inspiration from the world of insects. The idea for Ovo was not to be about the acts, nor dancing, nor insects, but about movement. The movement of life permeates the entire show, with creatures flying, leaping, bounding, and crawling. Composer Berna Ceppas brought additional life to Ovo with a score inspired by the music of Brazil. Ovo means "egg" in Portuguese and represents the underlying thread of the show. Graphically, inside the logo of Ovo, is an insect. The two O's represent the eyes and the V forms the nose and antennas.

<i>Koozå</i> Cirque du Soleil production

Koozå is a touring circus production by Cirque du Soleil which premiered in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, in 2007. The show was written and directed by David Shiner, who had previously worked as a clown in Cirque du Soleil's production of Nouvelle Expérience. His experience as a clown and his time with Switzerland's Circus Knie and Germany's Circus Roncalli informed his work on Koozå.

<i>Totem</i> (Cirque du Soleil)

Totem is a touring show by Cirque du Soleil that premiered in Montréal on April 22, 2010. It was written and directed by previous collaborator Robert Lepage (Kà). Cirque du Soleil describes Totem's theme as the evolution of humanity from its primordial, amphibian state toward the aspiration of flight, taking inspiration from many of humanity's founding myths. The show was awarded the 2013 New York Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.

<i>Zarkana</i> (Cirque du Soleil) Former Cirque du Soleil production

Zarkana was a Cirque du Soleil stage production written and directed by François Girard. It began as a touring show in 2011 and was converted to a resident show in Las Vegas in late 2012. It premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 29, 2011, and later toured to the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow and the Madrid Arena in Madrid.

<i>Iris</i> (Cirque du Soleil) Former Cirque du Soleil production

Iris was a resident Cirque du Soleil show based in Los Angeles, California. It premiered on September 25, 2011, after preview performances which began on July 21, 2011. The cost for production of the show was nearly $100 million, which included the cost of renovating the Dolby Theatre in which the show was housed. Iris was written and directed by French director-choreographer Philippe Decouflé. The show explored images from the history of cinema and featured elaborate choreography, acrobatics, and a variety of contemporary circus acts. The name of the show, Iris, comes from the camera diaphragm as well as from the colored iris of the human eye.

Mathieu Laplante is a producer, director, choreographer, and former circus performer. He was a world-renowned gymnast from the age of 8 through 15 before joining Cirque du Soleil. He has worked on stage with artists such as Michael Jackson, Peter Gabriel, and Janet Jackson. He is best known for his work with Cirque-style shows. He began performing with Cirque du Soleil at the age of 16 and directed his first Cirque-style show at the age of 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Stankus</span>

Anna Stankus is a circus performer who specialises in hula hoop manipulation whilst also incorporating rhythmic gymnastics and contortion in her acts. She is currently on tour with Cirque du Soleil Kooza for its North American tour. Since first beginning her career in 2007, she has gone on to perform in many productions worldwide including for Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Le Noir, Franco Dragone shows and in various variety shows in her hometown of Las Vegas.

References

36°06′47″N115°10′35″W / 36.11306°N 115.17639°W / 36.11306; -115.17639

  1. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". O by Cirque du Soleil. Bellagio Las Vegas. Retrieved 22 April 2016. 'O' has performed exclusively at Bellagio since its opening on 17, 1998.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Press Releases - Cirque du Soleil - O, 4/10/2014" (PDF). Cirque du Soleil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
  3. ↑ ""O" - Cirque Insider Access". Best of Vegas. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  4. ↑ "'O' tour enhances appreciation of Cirque du Soleil's creativity". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2011-04-22. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  5. ↑ "Cirque: Backstage Pass". Las Vegas News Now. Archived from the original on 2012-01-11. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
  6. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil swings to $1bn revenue as it mulls shows at O2". The Independent. 2011-10-22. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  7. 1 2 Prix Multimedia Winners Archived 2011-07-27 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil dives into Fall". Vegas News. 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  9. ↑ Campbell, Geraldine (2010). ""O" creates a world of surrealism and romance". Inside Cirque du Soleil. Fall 2010: 32–33.
  10. ↑ "O Cirque du Soleil show review". Cirque du Soleil. Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  11. ↑ Handling Specialty Turn Key Capabilities Archived March 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  12. 1 2 3 "The Wizardry of O: Cirque du Soleil". Live Design. 1 February 1999. Archived from the original on 21 February 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  13. ↑ "Cirque du Soleil's "O" Las Vegas". Cirque du Soleil.
  14. ↑ "O by Cirque du Soleil". Cirque du Soleil (Facebook). August 9, 2011. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  15. ↑ "O by Cirque du Soleil". Cirque du Soleil (Facebook). August 10, 2011. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Le Grand Chapiteau: «O»: Costumes & Characters". richasi.com. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  17. ↑ Clément, Ronald (2009). Cirque du Soleil 25 Years of Costumes (in Chinese, English, French, and Japanese). Canada: Dépôt légal, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. pp. 48–51. ISBN   978-2-9803493-4-8.
  18. 1 2 Sewell, Elizabeth (2011). "Water Wardrobe". Inside Cirque du Soleil. Fall 2011: 8–9.
  19. ↑ Sewell, Elizabeth (2014). "Water Wardrobe". Inside Cirque du Soleil. Spring 2014: 10–11.
  20. ↑ "O" - The Show - Video & Music Archived 2011-02-23 at the Wayback Machine cirquedusoleil.com. Retrieved 11-4-2009.
  21. ↑ "Music - O". Cirque Tribune. Archived from the original on 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
  22. ↑ Oana Suteu Khintirian (2007). Flow: A Tribute to the Artists of "O" (Media notes). Canada: Productions Conte II Inc.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.