'Saltimbanco' by Cirque du Soleil takes outstanding acts to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Cirque du Soleil has been delighting people of all ages around the world since 1984, and in the last 20 years, its signature show “Saltimbanco” has been showcasing the vibrant spirit of the global entertainment company at its best.

Inspired by the urban fabric of the metropolis and its colorful inhabitants, Saltimbanco is set to bring classic Cirque du Soleil enjoyment to Filipinos.

Until Aug. 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena, artists will be pushing the limits of human physical ability in high-flying acts and feats of incredible strength, balance, and agility.

Audiences can wonder at gravity-defying performances such as the trapeze where a lone shimmering figure rises into the air and flies, moving with mastery and skill.

In another act, performers tied to bungees swing, drop and fly in the air, performing an aerial ballet that creates the illusion of angels floating in the sky.

The Russian swing, meanwhile, catapults performers up to 12 meters in the air where they execute breathtaking aerial jumps before falling either on their feet, on the shoulders of their partners or atop a human pyramid.

Showcasing human athleticism is also part of the Saltimbanco experience. Inspired by a discipline called acrosport, performers show off their strength, flexibility, balance, and grace as they use their bodies to create startling figures in the act called adagio.

The hand-to-hand duo display tremendous power and an unwavering sense of balance as the two men push their bodies to the limits of human strength.

Another act displays impressive control as the artist balances on canes slowly or rapidly executing a series of astounding figures and contortion movements. 

And in the Chinese poles, multicolored characters slip onto the stage and climb poles seven meters tall. They leap from pole to pole, soaring through the air in a great display of agility, power, and speed.

Acts also highlight the rhythmic and skillful maneuvering of special props. The juggler exhibits outstanding deftness as he creates forms and figures with juggling balls.

Spectators can also look forward to performers twirling boleadoras (a simple percussion instrument made of a weight attached to the end of a cord) in the air and bouncing them off the ground to create exploding sounds.

Fifty high-caliber artists, including musicians, from 20 different countries are in Manila to perform the thrilling solo spotlights and epic ensembles of Saltimbanco.

From the Italian “saltare in banco,” which literally means “to jump on a bench,” Saltimbanco by Cirque du Soleil will draw spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world, an imaginary city where diversity is a cause for hope.

For tickets, visit cirquedusoleil/saltimbanco or hoopla.com.ph or call 320-1111.