Friday, 04 January 2008 |
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.
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Friday, 04 January 2008 |
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
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Monday, 12 June 2006 |
Ever wonder what happens to the celebrities pets when mommy has an award show to go to? They end up at the Hollywood Pet Spa.
These hilarious characters created by illustrator/writer Andrew
Georgiou are based around their pet spa home in Hollywood and
the celebrity pets who visit them..
There's Nip'Tuck
McTavish, a plastic surgeon Lobster, Pussy Ming: a Persian cat who
doubles as a nurse /door bitch, Dr Bubbles: the former beloved pet of
Michael Jackson now turned sex therapist, Busty Martinez an ex porn
star chipmunk and Shitzu & Shitzme a pair of fluffed up
bitchy shitzus who worked as gossip moles to celebrity gossip
columnists. Celebs themselves make cameo appearances, including a
oxygen deprived Madonna who's tightly fitted leotard has cut off all
blood circulation to her limbs and brain.
The gang own and
operate the pet spa and accommodate the needs of all their regular
patrons, including Paris' Tinkerbell and even Oprah's Sophie. However
'loose lips sink ships' and when these celebrity pooches are relaxing
by the hydro pet bath with a Mai Tai and a Schmuck, they tend
to reveal all the best kept Hollywood secrets about their owners. The
pet spa goes from relaxation retreat to gossip central, providing the
tabloids with priceless scoops. It's Gawker.com animated.
Currently
in the developmental script stage, the project is receiving some keen
interest within production circles, and open to further interest
from production parties. Georgiou's characters have HIT written
all over them, we'll have to wait till we see them on the screen before
we find out more Hollywood Pet Spa gossip. by Billy T
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Wednesday, 15 March 2006 |
We are launching our search for the faces of Cool Hunter T.V. Show
After
introductory meetings with NBC, FOX, VH1, E Entertainment, UPN, Endemol
USA, pre production for the THE COOL HUNTERS T.V series has began, the
world's first high-end trend watching television series.
THE
COOL HUNTERS from around the world will air simultaneously in different
continents including Asia, Europe, UK, America, Canada and Australia.
Crossing live from global destinations, each episode, our stylish
COOLHUNTERS will file their individual reports, delivering news on the
latest trends and hot spots directly to the viewer.
Bur before we can begin we need to find our COOL HUNTERS to be presenters on the show.
Are you COOL HUNTER TV material?
Do
you have a cool radar? Do you posses a passion for popular culture,
music, art, fashion, interiors, design, technology or lifestyle? Can
you spot an emerging trend at twenty paces? Can you predict what we
will want tomorrow today? Do you possess a gregarious personality? Do
you have what it takes to make an impact on television? Do you
currently work as a trend analyst, stylist, journalist, artist or a
designer or do you simply have a great eye for the shiny and new?
If
you answered yes to all of the above then we’d love to hear from you.
It doesn't matter where you live. COOLHUNTER TV will be receiving
reports from everywhere from Tokyo to Brazil.
E-mail us your
photo and bio, including some examples of stories you would like to
feature in your home city. If possible we'd love to see you on the
small screen too so send us a 3 minute video of you presenting a COOL
HUNTER TV piece. Please email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
by 30 May 2007.
Alternatively, if you would like to be involved in contributing stories to thecoolhunter.net, contact us
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