Francesca Tay
Clowns, unicyclists, tightrope walkers and trained animals were conspicuously missing. None of those stereotypical elements for Jeannot Painchaud, director of critically acclaimed Cirque Éloize: iD (read: Sirk El-WAZ EYE-dee) that integrates modern hip-hop, break dancing and jazz with circus stunts such as aerial silks, juggling, contortion and the Chinese pole.
Marina Bay Sands Theatre was filled with personages of different ages and cultures on the opening night, Jun 2, of this contemporary circus act at it’s first official Asia debut after finalising the entire display. Cirque Éloize: iD kept the house on the edge of their seats throughout the 90-min showcase no mean feat as they maintained the ambience and energy level of the theatre as tautly as the high wire.
With almost 4,000 performances played out over 395 cities and 31 countries over a span of 18 years, Jeannot has staged a few of the most distinguished contemporary circus acts such as Nomade, RainandNebbiathroughout his 24-year experience in new circus arts.
Described as “West Side Story gone hip-hop circus” by The Montreal Gazette, iD weaved through the streets of a typical local neighbourhood, narrating stories with stunts rather than words. The viewer gets a bird’s eye view of individual youths on the streets in many parts of the city.
With a fictitious futuristic city as Jeannot’s canvass, forlorn lovers and gang fights lead to several climaxes as the 16-strong International cast portrayed characters who connected with the audience via their vivacious and passionate stunts.
The diversity of exuberant and melodramatic acts complemented each other as the subtle plot progressed, the notion of tales within tales reminding some of French filmParis Je T’aime.
Be prepared to witness a showcase of attentively thought out collaborations between the most unthinkable combinations by 16 artistes: A contortionists’ love story with a B-Boy, the pursuit of a dangling aerial silk thespian by an inline skater, and even a unique avant-garde display of a Trampowall – marrying a trampoline and a wall.
The stage set consisted of a wall that played an immense part in the entire production, from doubling as a backdrop to the psychedelic video visual effects by Alexis Laurence projected on the stage, to a screen as the cast conveniently disappeared off the set into apertures that could be skilfully unlocked.
Of course, the impeccable selection and composes of the stage by Jean-Phi Goncalves and Alex McMahon is something to look out for, as soft jazz ballads evoked a romantic mood during the tranquil performances, whereas quirky electronic beats magnified the bolder stunts.
iD kicked started with an introduction to the international cast popping, locking and waacking, in freestyle as they divided into 2 cliques, trying to outdo each other.
Chinese pole specialist Fletcher Sanchez from the United States wowed the crowd with his phenomenal skills as a seemingly lovers’ story developed, from his ability to grasp the pole horizontally and rely on his abdominal strength to his unbelievable control of his body, ending the act off by sliding down the pole at lightning speed, closing off with a scene of a near-kiss between the lovers.
Thibaut Philippe took the stage with his bike soon after, astounding the audience with his flawless control, as he sped after inline skater Xuan Le. With his bike, he performed alongside the street dancers; his moves choreographed with the dance moves.
Another act to look out for is most definitely the pairing up of 18-year-old contortionist Emi Vauthey, fondly known as the baby of the troupe, with a B-boy. While one headspins and windmills his way through the act, Emi flexes her body to complement his moves, contortionist style.
It was a unique and perfect, if totally unexpected, pairing. The act continued after the interval with Emi displaying fiercer contortions such as “walking” backbended (a contortion move) comparable to a spider while he continues his pursuit.
You won’t be able to miss the young German budding artiste as Emi plays a big part in the showcase as she also specialises in aerial silks, bringing the audience close to tears as inline skater Xuan Le played alongside her, bringing integration to a whole new level as they portrayed wretched lovers, utilizing the full use of the soft silk to bring the lovers to a push-and-pull situation, literally. It was one of the most memorable acts as the chemistry between both was indisputable.
Richard Maguire was one of the many to take the audience’s breath away with his hand-balancing act, as he stacked chair atop of chair, finally ending his act with a handstand above the ground, as though defying gravity.
Don’t miss the quirky act set in a construction site by Canadian juggler Nicholas Fortin and Hugo Ouellet-Cote. Your funny bone will never forgive you otherwise.
Of course, audience participation was also part of the plan as some attendees got the chance to experience trying out their fair share of circus stunts.
To conclude the show, the cast took part in the last act, shocking the enthralled audience when one member dived into one of the platform, only to reveal the trampoline hidden from sight, while the visual effects created optical illusions of nonexistent platforms as the cast took turns to dive into the trampoline and bounce off the walls, sometimes simultaneously. This final act went down well, as it was so obvious that the cast thoroughly enjoyed themselves while working the Trampowall.
The cast received a well-deserved standing ovation after they concluded the show acknowledging their trainers and creative directors.
It was by far, the most remarkable once-of-a-kind show I’ve seen that has incorporated different styles of performance to draw a crowd of all ages.
Tickets for the shows which ends its run on Jun 26 are available at Sistic from $65 up. Click here for more details
*Get 10% off ticket pricing for Ngee Ann Polytechnic students. Click here to buy.
Photos courtesy of Base Entertainment Asia; Location by Marina Bay Sands