Fuerza Bruta: A tour de force

MANILA, Philippines - There’s a new show in town and there are no singing, cheesy costumes, or any of the expected theatrical production staples involved. Instead, this one has a giant treadmill, an overhead pool and a really daring cast. Finally in the Philippines is Fuerza Bruta, a 360-degree interactive theatrical experience featuring a non-stop collision of dynamic music, visceral emotion and kinetic aerial imagery. The tour de force spectacle that stunned audiences across the globe recently made its Manila premiere at the Manila Hotel Tent last Feb. 14.

Those looking for a more dynamic and in-your-face theatrical event will enjoy the latest production brought to the Philippines by Hoopla, Inc., which brought Cirque du Soleil to the country last year. Breaking free from the confines of spoken language and theatrical convention, Fuerza Bruta is an event where worlds collide and reality takes a back seat. At show time, audiences are engulfed in a 360-degree spectacle featuring mind-blowing visual effects within inches of the audience that must be seen to be believed — a man running full throttle on a giant treadmill, bursting through a series of moving walls; tumbling performers suspended in mid-air; beautiful dancers in a clear pool overhead. Audiences are urged not just to watch, but also shout, spin, touch and even help the cast smash things — an interactive live event that makes the usual night-out dull in comparison.

Said Michael Cohl, chairman of S2BN Entertainment: “The powerful, high-octane visual extravaganza has great international appeal whether it is in the United States, South America or Europe — and even in Asia, too.”

With famous clients and successful world touring shows including the Rolling Stones, U2, Pink Floyd, The Bodies Exhibition and the Broadway sensation Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, Cohl has an impressive track record identifying, producing and effectively marking live shows and events.

Fuerza Bruta has a company in New York that is currently performing in its fourth blockbuster year, as well as a touring company that has played major cities worldwide, including Buenos Aires, Lisbon, London, Cordoba, Bogota, Edinburgh, Berlin, Mexico, Rosario, Miami, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Caracas, Sao Paulo, Madrid, Bilbao, Knokke Heist, Moscow, Antwerp, Taipei and Tel Aviv, to high critical acclaim. Fuerza Bruta was founded by some of the creators of the international sensation De La Guarda, including Diqui James (artistic director/creator); Gaby Kerpel (composer/musical director); Alejandro Garcia (technical director), Agustina James (technical producer) and Fabio Daquila (production supervisor).

Celebrity followers of James’ work include Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Cameron Diaz, Sting, Britney Spears, Harrison Ford, Tyra Banks, Robert DeNiro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sandra Bullock, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore, Lil Wayne, Jessica Alba, Fergie, Beyoncé, Rachel McAdams, Jude Law, John Legend, Shakira Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Serena Williams, Ashton Kutcher, Kanye West and more.

The Fuerza Bruta cast will perform in Manila for six weeks at the Manila Hotel Tent. For details, call 320-1111 or visit www.hoopla.ph. Tickets are also on sale at the Manila Hotel concierge.

The Manila Hotel and Fox International Channels are the official sponsors of Fuerza Bruta in the Philippines. The Manila Hotel is also the official hotel and residence of Fuerza Bruta.