Forums > Social Discussion > short essay on the pants-ness of cirque du soleil(dralion)
Login/Join to Participategeek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
disclaimer: i have seen allegria and nouba and they were brilliant, so this is not an anti-cirque rant, just a dralion rant
having spent £90 on three tickets to see 'the best circus in the world' i came away on sunday night extremely disappointed. i could detail this, but i'm going to bullet it instead:
2hours of show, approximately 30 minutes of circus, 90 minutes of bad clowning and jazz hands. there was so much fluff and pfaff all of the (admittedly brilliant) acts were completely lost.
a complete failure to appreciate that their audience was around them, and not just in front.
rock-opera music. lovely singing tho. but cheesier-than-thou.
wires. the chinese acrobats used wires. not a problem per se, but when you lean into them the balance becomes pointless. admittedly most people won't have spotted this one, but it detracts from the act a millionfold if you can't actually do it.
props not used. there was an intriguing german wheel rolled on not once, but twice, leant on, then rolled back off again. i figure this is because they had an act they weren't showing cause of heavy schedule....
the most pfaff worthy aerial fills i have ever seen. clearly highly talented people just doing things for the sake of it and not seeming to put anything together properly. grrr.
on the plus side:
the juggler was absolutely brilliant.
so was the tiny chinese girl with the wrong shaped body.
and the couple with the silks.
and the albert hall is nice.
grr.
disclaimer: i have seen allegria and nouba and they were brilliant, so this is not an anti-cirque rant, just a dralion rant
having spent £90 on three tickets to see 'the best circus in the world' i came away on sunday night extremely disappointed. i could detail this, but i'm going to bullet it instead:
2hours of show, approximately 30 minutes of circus, 90 minutes of bad clowning and jazz hands. there was so much fluff and pfaff all of the (admittedly brilliant) acts were completely lost.
a complete failure to appreciate that their audience was around them, and not just in front.
rock-opera music. lovely singing tho. but cheesier-than-thou.
wires. the chinese acrobats used wires. not a problem per se, but when you lean into them the balance becomes pointless. admittedly most people won't have spotted this one, but it detracts from the act a millionfold if you can't actually do it.
props not used. there was an intriguing german wheel rolled on not once, but twice, leant on, then rolled back off again. i figure this is because they had an act they weren't showing cause of heavy schedule....
the most pfaff worthy aerial fills i have ever seen. clearly highly talented people just doing things for the sake of it and not seeming to put anything together properly. grrr.
on the plus side:
the juggler was absolutely brilliant.
so was the tiny chinese girl with the wrong shaped body.
and the couple with the silks.
and the albert hall is nice.
grr.
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
SILVER Member
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
will read this - but only after i've seen it myself on saturday...
don't want to read this and find spoilers - especially if the show is crap already
sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it though rabbie - at least i got to hug you lots in the four days previous
cole. x
will read this - but only after i've seen it myself on saturday...
don't want to read this and find spoilers - especially if the show is crap already
sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it though rabbie - at least i got to hug you lots in the four days previous
cole. x
"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
its not true.
i enjoyed it.
just was underwhelmed by miles.
R
its not true.
i enjoyed it.
just was underwhelmed by miles.
R
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
when Dralion was in Houston a couple years ago, it had many of these same elements, but was a solid show throughout - though some of your critiques were valid even then (over dependance on the wire for example). There was less fluff than you describe though.
Compared to the first time I saw them back in '97 or '98 though, I have to admit Draglion was not nearly as good - and relied a LOT more on cookie-cutter asian perfomers too (they are really skilled, but you can see that kind of stuff in a lot of other shows and they weren't the highest quality - there are a lot of them out there).
when Dralion was in Houston a couple years ago, it had many of these same elements, but was a solid show throughout - though some of your critiques were valid even then (over dependance on the wire for example). There was less fluff than you describe though.
Compared to the first time I saw them back in '97 or '98 though, I have to admit Draglion was not nearly as good - and relied a LOT more on cookie-cutter asian perfomers too (they are really skilled, but you can see that kind of stuff in a lot of other shows and they weren't the highest quality - there are a lot of them out there).
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
was mostly frustrated that there were only five quality acts in two hours: the juggler, the chinese girl, the silks pair, the hoop diving, and the aerial hoop(on the website they have the dralions and the pole balancing as acts too, but tho they were good, they felt and looked like fillers to me).
the rest all made serious mistakes( i imagine ai'm a little pickier than most, as a performing fiery and juggler, and not the best one at that, i just have high expectations of the people who are by reputation and hype the best int the world)
just been looking at the website for dralion, and it appears they only had about three quarters of their acts on, unsurprisingly for a troupe performing two shows a day for a month....but i feel like i got the B-team
R
EDITED_BY: bluecat (1105619395)
was mostly frustrated that there were only five quality acts in two hours: the juggler, the chinese girl, the silks pair, the hoop diving, and the aerial hoop(on the website they have the dralions and the pole balancing as acts too, but tho they were good, they felt and looked like fillers to me).
the rest all made serious mistakes( i imagine ai'm a little pickier than most, as a performing fiery and juggler, and not the best one at that, i just have high expectations of the people who are by reputation and hype the best int the world)
just been looking at the website for dralion, and it appears they only had about three quarters of their acts on, unsurprisingly for a troupe performing two shows a day for a month....but i feel like i got the B-team
R
EDITED_BY: bluecat (1105619395)
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
Clubbles Jugs
1,687 posts
Location: Manchester
1,687 posts
Location: Manchester
Posted:
who was the, was it Viktor Kee?
who was the
, was it Viktor Kee? ah wah wah wah a wah wah
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Well the "A-Team" was probably out fighting crime or running away from the government in that cool black van with the red stripe.
Non-Https Image Link
Well the "A-Team" was probably out fighting crime or running away from the government in that cool black van with the red stripe.
Non-Https Image Link
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
was indeed viktor kee. talented bloke that he is.
isn't that team america NYC? mmmm. puppet sex.
was indeed viktor kee. talented bloke that he is.
isn't that team america NYC? mmmm. puppet sex.
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
the A team was a TV series in the states way back in what, the early 80s? it featured "Mr. T":
Non-Https Image Link
the A team was a TV series in the states way back in what, the early 80s? it featured "Mr. T":
Non-Https Image Link
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
i am well aware of the A-team thanks van
:chortle:
i am well aware of the A-team thanks van
:chortle:
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
couldn't resist giving it a plug though... and you never really need an excuse to post a pic of TV hero Ba Baracus you know!
couldn't resist giving it a plug though... and you never really need an excuse to post a pic of TV hero Ba Baracus you know!
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,009 posts
Location: Bristol, UK
Posted:
Drew and I had the same impressions when we went to see it last year, although I was giving them the benefit of the doubt about the wires to begin with but they were obviously lifting with them. In November a mad bunch of Mongolians did the same act on the circus space stage with nothing but air. I think that show impressed me as much as Drallion did.
The Cirque shows are 'spectacles' in that it consisted of fancy costumes and big music that impresses most people. However I think anyone who demands more from a show is going to be disappointed. But the few outstanding acts, such as the amazing Vicktor Kee, make it worthwhile. Also I've seen other Cirque shows that impressed me a lot more.
And I don't know why Cirque brings the same show along twice in a row. They've done it before and I'm sure they'll do it again. Bring us variety!!!
Drew and I had the same impressions when we went to see it last year, although I was giving them the benefit of the doubt about the wires to begin with but they were obviously lifting with them. In November a mad bunch of Mongolians did the same act on the circus space stage with nothing but air. I think that show impressed me as much as Drallion did.
The Cirque shows are 'spectacles' in that it consisted of fancy costumes and big music that impresses most people. However I think anyone who demands more from a show is going to be disappointed. But the few outstanding acts, such as the amazing Vicktor Kee, make it worthwhile. Also I've seen other Cirque shows that impressed me a lot more.
And I don't know why Cirque brings the same show along twice in a row. They've done it before and I'm sure they'll do it again. Bring us variety!!!
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA
Posted:
That's odd that you get the same show twice in a row. We always get different ones here in Houston. In fact, they've got one in town at the moment, but I don't have the time or money to see it.
That's odd that you get the same show twice in a row. We always get different ones here in Houston. In fact, they've got one in town at the moment, but I don't have the time or money to see it.
SILVER Member
member
80 posts
Location: the fascist states of amerika, USA
member
80 posts
Location: the fascist states of amerika, USA
Posted:
umm..let me first say i have never seen the particular shows that you're talking about, however i have seen Mystere 3 times and O once in vegas...the shows were never even remotely the same other than feeling....i saw very little "clowning or jazz hands"...i did see some amazing acrobatic percussionists, shape juggling, and people who were able to climb a pole at a 45 degree angle...
i was totally blown away...i wonder if it was because these particular shows are permanently housed in billion dollar casinos?!....the water floor in O is incredible!
umm..let me first say i have never seen the particular shows that you're talking about, however i have seen Mystere 3 times and O once in vegas...the shows were never even remotely the same other than feeling....i saw very little "clowning or jazz hands"...i did see some amazing acrobatic percussionists, shape juggling, and people who were able to climb a pole at a 45 degree angle...
i was totally blown away...i wonder if it was because these particular shows are permanently housed in billion dollar casinos?!....the water floor in O is incredible!
real eyes
realize
real lies
SILVER Member
That guy from Reno
556 posts
Location: Reno, Nevada USA
That guy from Reno
556 posts
Location: Reno, Nevada USA
Posted:
Cody the Cirque fan has answers to all your questions.
First answer is Franco Dragone. He was the creator and director of O, Mystere, Alegria, Quidam, La Nouba and Nouvelle Experiance I think. He has snece left Cirque and started his own deal, ( I auditioned last year) Shows post Dragone are Dralion, Varekai and Zoomanity. All considered sub par.
That's not a german wheel, just a wheel like prop to look neeto.
Gotta go more later.
Cody the Cirque fan has answers to all your questions.
First answer is Franco Dragone. He was the creator and director of O, Mystere, Alegria, Quidam, La Nouba and Nouvelle Experiance I think. He has snece left Cirque and started his own deal, ( I auditioned last year) Shows post Dragone are Dralion, Varekai and Zoomanity. All considered sub par.
That's not a german wheel, just a wheel like prop to look neeto.
Gotta go more later.
Cody Canon
Controlled Burn, Reno Nevada
GOLD Member
ZORT!
3,045 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
ZORT!
3,045 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted:
Quidam came through here a couple of months ago - and it was brilliant!
it was a great mix of brilliant technical skill - esp the diablo girl, quirky ideas, humors, and that epic moody music cirque does so well. there was lots of small clowing stuff - but just the right amount.
some of the things - well i had seem before and better - escp the aerial silk and rope work - but overall i can hardly complain.
admittedly, getting a free ticket to their final dress rehearsal made it even better...
Quidam came through here a couple of months ago - and it was brilliant!
it was a great mix of brilliant technical skill - esp the diablo girl, quirky ideas, humors, and that epic moody music cirque does so well. there was lots of small clowing stuff - but just the right amount.
some of the things - well i had seem before and better - escp the aerial silk and rope work - but overall i can hardly complain.
admittedly, getting a free ticket to their final dress rehearsal made it even better...
"Here kitty kitty...." - Schroedinger.
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
Im watching Saltimbanco in 2 weeks in Manchester... does anyone know what thats like? xxx
Im watching Saltimbanco in 2 weeks in Manchester... does anyone know what thats like? xxx
tHeReS gOoD aNd EvIl iN EaCh InDiViDuAl fIrE, iDeNtIfIeS nEeDs AnD fEeDs OuR dEsIrEs.
enthusiast
523 posts
Location: Edinburgh, UK
523 posts
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Posted:
I was disappointed by Drallion as well. Too many people couldn't do their acts and were pulled into place with wires. I didn't get any sense of narrative (but maybe I was being dense).
Victor Kee rocks. (There was a video of his act from this on the web but they password protected it after I downloaded it )
The big wheel looked like great fun. But it wasn't. Even the hoop jumpers were having a bad night when I saw them.
Some of the clowning was a bit boring, but some of it I found moving, and was almost the high point for me.
They'd spend a lot of money on costumes and props, but they didn't seem to have spent any time thinking about concept. Similarly the musicians were clearly excellent, but the music was quite waff.
There's much better things out there. Look out for Feria Musica
I was disappointed by Drallion as well. Too many people couldn't do their acts and were pulled into place with wires. I didn't get any sense of narrative (but maybe I was being dense).
Victor Kee rocks. (There was a video of his act from this on the web but they password protected it after I downloaded it
)The big wheel looked like great fun. But it wasn't. Even the hoop jumpers were having a bad night when I saw them.
Some of the clowning was a bit boring, but some of it I found moving, and was almost the high point for me.
They'd spend a lot of money on costumes and props, but they didn't seem to have spent any time thinking about concept. Similarly the musicians were clearly excellent, but the music was quite waff.
There's much better things out there. Look out for Feria Musica
monkeys ate my brain
SILVER Member
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom
Posted:
well, i wasn't nearly as disappointed - i paid £90 for two tickets and was more than happy with what i got.
i was entertained from start to finish and left the hall with a big smile on my face
i've never seen a cirque show before so maybe my expectations were lower, but i doubt it since i've seen lots of other high quality circus acts.
my take on it (as a non-performer and cirque du soleil first-time audience member):
the wires were massively overused on the chinese acrobalance act but from my seat were unobtrusive and unused for most of the rest of the show.
the chinese one handed handstand contortion girl was ridiculously good (if i did wince a good few times cos it looked like it should have hurt lots).
tip-toes on lamps and then crazy acrobalance girls were great (but again looked like it hurt a bit).
viktor kee was unbelievable - solid as hell routine with 1 to 7 balls. an absolute master.
hoop and corde lisse (sp?) act was stunning.
walking globe acro stuff was okay if a little on the sparse side.
and the clowning i thought was superb (if maybe a little too much of it) - the parody acts at the end especially made me smile lots and lots.
the music wasn't particularly to my taste but i did appreciate the fact that it was all performed live.
i think that music choice in circus is an extremely tricky thing.
it has to be bold and emotive yet varied and flexible which means you are very unlikely to please everyone.
overall the first half of the show was more upbeat and entertaining for my tastes
so all in, i'm glad i went and i loved it - not to mention the fact that it gave a certain young lady and i a great excuse to spend a lavish weekend pampering each other
not gonna be able to make it up to see salimbatico now (:() - i'll definitely be looking forward to the next show that comes to london.
cole. x
well, i wasn't nearly as disappointed - i paid £90 for two tickets and was more than happy with what i got.
i was entertained from start to finish and left the hall with a big smile on my face
i've never seen a cirque show before so maybe my expectations were lower, but i doubt it since i've seen lots of other high quality circus acts.
my take on it (as a non-performer and cirque du soleil first-time audience member):
the wires were massively overused on the chinese acrobalance act but from my seat were unobtrusive and unused for most of the rest of the show.
the chinese one handed handstand contortion girl was ridiculously good (if i did wince a good few times cos it looked like it should have hurt lots).
tip-toes on lamps and then crazy acrobalance girls were great (but again looked like it hurt a bit).
viktor kee was unbelievable - solid as hell routine with 1 to 7 balls. an absolute master.
hoop and corde lisse (sp?) act was stunning.
walking globe acro stuff was okay if a little on the sparse side.
and the clowning i thought was superb (if maybe a little too much of it) - the parody acts at the end especially made me smile lots and lots.
the music wasn't particularly to my taste but i did appreciate the fact that it was all performed live.
i think that music choice in circus is an extremely tricky thing.
it has to be bold and emotive yet varied and flexible which means you are very unlikely to please everyone.
overall the first half of the show was more upbeat and entertaining for my tastes
so all in, i'm glad i went and i loved it - not to mention the fact that it gave a certain young lady and i a great excuse to spend a lavish weekend pampering each other
not gonna be able to make it up to see salimbatico now (:() - i'll definitely be looking forward to the next show that comes to london.
cole. x
"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com