Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco comes to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The international entertainment group Cirque du Soleil will perform in Manila its signature production Saltimbanco from Aug. 9 to 19, 2012 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Saltimbanco is Cirque du Soleil’s longest-running touring show and has been performed since 1992 to sell-out audiences in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Japan and New Zealand for more than 11.5 million enthusiastic fans.

Classic Cirque du Soleil at its best, Saltimbanco is a thrilling and kaleidoscopic celebration of awe-inspiring artistry and agility. With a cast of 50 high-caliber artists hailing from 20 different countries, Saltimbanco features breathtaking acrobatics and unbelievable athleticism during solo spotlights and epic ensembles.

From the seemingly impossible balancing, jumping and spinning during the Chinese Poles or the Russian Swing to the gravity-defying bungees and trapeze, the crowd-pleasing juggling and acrobatic bicycle, to the celebrated and very unique clowns.

Technical expertise and extravagant design are woven together by spectacular costumes, amazing lighting, humor and enchanting music and magic. Full of color, amusement and amazement, Saltimbanco is a fun show for the whole family.

Saltimbanco — from the Italian “saltare in banco,” which literally means “to jump on a bench” — explores the urban experience in all its myriad forms: The people who live there, their idiosyncrasies and likeness, families and groups, the hustle and bustle of the street and the towering heights of skyscrapers. It is inspired by the urban fabric of the metropolis and its colorful inhabitants. Decidedly baroque in its visual, the show’s eclectic cast draws spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world — an imaginary city where diversity is a cause for hope.

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries.

To date, Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 300 cities on six continents. This year alone, Cirque du Soleil has had presented 22 shows simultaneously around the world.

Advance tickets to Saltimbanco are available online exclusively to Cirque Club members beginning today. Membership is free and benefits also include special offers and exclusive behind-the-scenes information. To join, go to www.cirqueclub.com.

Tickets for the general public will be available starting Dec. 1 at www.cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco, www.hoopla.ph and www.smtickets.com or call +632-470-2222. Tickets are priced for VIP at P10,500 (Adult) and P8,400 (Child); Patron Center, P7,500 (Adult) and P6,000 (Child); Lower Box Center, P5,500 (Adult) and P4,500 (Child); Patron Sides, P5,500 (Adult) and P4,500 (Child); Lower Box Sides, P3,500 (Adult) and P2,800 (Child); Upper Box, P2,500 (Adult) and P2,000 (Child); and General Admission, P1,200 (Adult) and P960 (Child).

For details, log on to www.cirquedusoleil.com.