Cirque de Soleil returning to Manila in 2012

MANILA, Philippines - Cirque du Soleil’s big top production Varekai drew a record number of 80,000 Filipino fans during its two-week run at the Quirino Grandstand last July, according to Hoopla Inc., the event promoter/sponsor of the show.

“The response was overwhelming. We knew we had to bring back Cirque du Soleil here because Filipinos love the production,” said Vicente Cheng, chairman of Hoopla Inc.

Hoopla happily announced that Cirque du Soleil is indeed coming back and its signature production Saltimbanco will be staged on Aug. 9-19 next year at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“We promise that this is going to be the biggest event in Manila. Cirque du Soleil has been in the industry for the last 25 years and it represents the best of the best in the world. Expect an amazing production right in our very shores,” Cheng told the media during a recent press conference.

Meanwhile, Cirque du Soleil manager David Anthony, who flew in from Canada for the press conference at the Manila Hotel recently, said they decided to stage the French-Canadian production for the second time in Manila because of the positive response of Filipinos to Varekai.

 “We were very encouraged by the response of Filipinos to Varekai. We know there’s a clamor and we agreed that we should do another show in Manila,” he said.

Anthony hopes that more Filipinos will be able to watch Saltimbanco, as the show’s theme of immigration and diversity will greatly appeal to them.

“We hope more Filipinos will be able to experience Cirque de Soleil’s Saltimbanco because we’re sure its themes of diversity, immigration and celebration of life will resonate deep in Filipino’s hearts. They will see a reflection of their own resilience, optimism and indomitable spirit in the show,” Anthony told reporters.

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

“With a cast of 50 high-caliber artists from 20 different countries, Saltimbanco, from the Italian words ‘saltare in banco,’ which literally means ‘to jump on a bench,’ promises to be a family-friendly production that everyone will enjoy,” Anthony enthused.

“Filipinos can expect impossible balancing, jumping, and spinning during the Chinese Poles or the Russian Swing to the gravity-defying Bungees and Trapeze. The crowd will be pleased with the juggling and acrobatic bicycle, to the celebrated and very unique clowns,” Anthony added.

Asked by a reporter if there will be variations between the 1992 version and the present one, Anthony said yes but only in terms of using today’s state-of-the-art technology in enhancing the production.

“But there’s a lot to enjoy at the show really. Aside from the aerial feats, there’s the music, the whimsical costumes, the clowns, amazing lighting and humor,” he added.

Jennifer Junio Pangilinan of Tarlac, an avid Cirque du Soleil fan, looks forward to August 2012 for the show.

She still remembers the awe and magic she felt upon seeing acrobats perform scary aerial feats on a moving balance beam held by two men during the Varekai show five months ago.

“It’s like magic and fairy tale. My jaws dropped at the sight of an aerialist crossing a high wire and talented contortionist twisting herself in various rubbery forms while standing on one hand only,” she said.

“I’m excited and happy that Cirque will return to Manila,” she added.

Described as a dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment, Cirque de Soleil was co-founded and owned by Guy Laliberte in 1984 in Quebec, Canada.

Since its inception, Cirque du Soleil has been viewed by more than 100 million spectators and presented in 300 cities and six continents worldwide (except the Antarctica).

The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries.

Advance tickets for Saltimbanco are available online exclusively to Cirque Club members beginning Nov. 30. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits include access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind-the-scenes information. To join, go to www.cirqueclub.com.

Tickets for the general public are now available at www.cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco, www.hoopla.ph and www.smtickets.com or by calling +632 470-2222.