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| Sat 22 Nov 2008 |
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Tag: Theatre
These items have all been tagged with the tag "Theatre", You can see other tags in the Tag Cloud| THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - LE REVE (LAS VEGAS) |
| 2008-01-04 07:05:37 |
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Imagine if you will, the most awesome, mind-blowing and spectacular sight you have ever witnessed. Now erase that image from your head and make room for something significantly bigger, brighter and incredibly bolder.. Le Reve - The greatest show on earth, literally. Housed in the amazing 2087 seat, dome like theatre at the Wynn hotel, Las Vegas's most expensive and exclusive hotel, Le Reve is a show like no other ever staged before. This is an awe inspiring hybrid performance that uses acrobatics, hydrolics, music, costume, flight and light, all on a virtual sea bed stage. Created by Cirques du Soleil's former creative director Franco Dragone, Le Reve uses the most elaborate stage design, both aesthetically and mechanically to create an aquatic world illuminated by brilliant lights and inhabited by exotic creatures. Le Reve, meaning 'the dream' in French is exactly what I thought I was in when i witnessed this show. The performance centers on the character of Wayne and his dreams. With his guide Morpheus taking us through the splendor of his dream, I was taken on this magical journey where angels really do fly. Franco Dragone uses the story to relay the double edged sword of man's nature. How he can make both remarkable achievements and just as easily, horrific failures. Although the story line is nothing short of mesmerizing, it was hard not to be distracted away from its theme by the truly amazing effects that unfolded before me. Played out in a 1 million gallon pool on centre stage, the pool itself acts as a source for reflecting the brilliant lights which simulate rain, snow and even fire, like a 50's movie. Performers (who look like they've stepped straight out of a fashion magazine) swim, dance and fly around within the aquatic arena in a seamless and totally believable manner. With an incredible array of costumes ranging from classic through to creature, the characters themselves are just as integral to the show as the dazzling effects. The soundtrack to the show is a musical journey in itself. It's dramatic nature brilliantly highlights the action on stage. Between the sound, sight and visual effects, the show had the audience left gasping. Literally, all I could hear around me where sincere 'ohhs', 'ahhs' & 'Oh my god' from fellow audience members. With close to 175 technicians needed to operate, navigate and support the 68 performers, this show would have cost well over the $40 million average for a Las Vegas show. I was left breathless, from beginning to end of this spectacular masterpiece. Even if I were to describe its every detail, justice would not be done to convey its brilliance. Le Reve has made Las Vegas show history and has to be seen first hand to be believed. by Billy T. |
| LAS VEGAS SHOW STOPPERS - IT'S ALL ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL |
| 2008-01-04 06:43:47 |
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O @ THE BELLAGIO Las Vegas. The shows are bigger than Broadway and pull in crowds in their thousands. With so many shows to choose from, there are bound to be some show stoppers and some theatrical lemons (Manilow/Celine). Thankfully, after experiencing Las Vegas for a week, the scales where tipped into the WOW department with shows likes of Le Reve, O, Ka and Zumanity. Those tainted with the world famous Cirque Du Soleil brush made the trip a show stopping adrenalin rush of quality entertainment. Give yourself a good hit with 2 shows a night, this will leave your senses a tad overloaded, but well worth keeping the fires burning all night long. We bring you our very own Las Vegas Show Guide - the best of the best. O @ THE BELLAGIO (pictured above) O, the show is quite aptly named. As every detail of this awesome production unfolded that is exactly what you hear from the audience, a very passionate and spellbound 'ohhh'! From the creator of Le Reve, O comes to the stage in the same mesmerizing and awe inspiring vein, but on a slower paced scale. This is to the audience advantage as the production is so richly focused on effects, one needs to take a moment to appreciate them as they unfold. With the elements of fire and water adorning the stage, complimented by performers of extraordinary skill and costumes of remarkable detail, this show leaves no stone unturned when it comes to rich aesthetics. From the moment the show opens and the curtains are virtually blown away to reveal the stage adorned with carousel horses floating mid air, through to the final act when the climatic drama comes to an end, 'O' keeps up an unbelievable pace that succeeds in chaperoning the audiences undivided attention throughout the duration of this amazing production. It's opulent, it's lavish and it's excessive. 'O' stands for 'Oh My God' , every step of the way in this Las Vegas spectacular. KA @ MGM GRAND (pictured below) It’s the ancient Egyptian world for Invisible spirit guide, but Ka, the production takes a very visible form that ignites all the senses. From the critically acclaimed theatre director Robert Lepage comes Cirques du Soleil's 'KA', playing at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. The show actually supercedes the internationally renown high standards of Cirques du Soleil's past productions. This is a show where a marriage of martial arts, acrobatics (using 147 different harnesses), puppetry, interactive video projections and pyrotechnics all take place on the grandest of scales and biggest of stages. With a dramatic highlight being the point where the stage itself is flipped sideways to face the audience vertically. Ka’s scenes follow the traditional elements of water, earth, wind and fire andare ingeniously and dramatically mapped out using these very elements as backdrops to the action unfolding onstage. This is perhaps the most story telling of all Cirques du Soleil's productions, something I appreciated after seeing a number of shows where effects preceded the story line. The tale follows the journey of a set of twins who are on a spiritual path to fulfill their destinies. Although I was well seated, one could appreciate the grandiose effects of what was taking place before them from any seat in the house. To compliment the awe inspiring soundtrack of the production, the seats have individual speakers built into the headrest, delivering maximum effect on a very personal level. I was wired for sound and every other of my senses ignited with a barrage of color, movement, and dramatic choreography (think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), that left me quite literally, speachless. ZUMANITY @ NEW YORK NEW YORK It's Eyes Wide Shut with Both Eyes wide open. Zumanity is a show with spunk, sensuality and sexuality, oozing off the stage in a tasteful and mature way. Famous drag Diva, Joey Arias narrates this show in a witty and entertaining manner, which visually explores all sides of sexuality, physicality and love through a choreographed and wonderfully synchronized production of extraordinary talent. Costumes, which were designed by Thierry Mugler were sleek and sexy and personify the raw heat of sensuality as they are worn by performers who move about the stage in an erotic, tantalizing manner that is every bit as classy as it sounds. Yes there is nudity, but this is no strip show, this is a visual display of the human form in it's most stripped back appearance. Combining raw human energy with untamed heat, Zumanity succeeds in creating a tasteful show that takes on a very European approach to sex and sexuality. The ninety minute show has put off some audience members with its element of nudity, however if you cant handle the heat, get out of Las Vegas. Zumanity does the theme a brilliant justice in all that it delivers and the way that it delivers it. Tasteful, magical, beautiful. by Billy T |
| FUERZABRUTA |
| 2006-06-26 14:16:04 |
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Att: London readers. Get your credit cards ready, and book your seat now at 'Fuerzabruta', one of the most extraordinary shows you'll ever see. In the same vein as Cirque Du Soleil's Las Vegas spectaculars Le Reve and Ka and O, 'Fuerzabruta‚' is a celebration of pure physicality, where performers move seamlessly between three stages - ground , air and underwater - to a thumping score that'll make you feel as if you're in an experimental Paris nightclub. Sexy, exhilarating and breath-taking to say the least. The audience is obliged to stand during the performance, but really, you'd be giving the same amount of standing ovations anyway. Fuerzabruta is on at the Round House Theatre until August 31. by Billy T |
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