- Ovo (Cirque du Soleil)
-
Ovo 
Company Cirque du Soleil Genre Contemporary circus Show type Touring show Date of premiere April 23, 2009 Location Touring Creative team Writer, director, and choreographer Deborah Colker Creation director Chantal Tremblay Set and props designer Gringo Cardia Composer and musical director Berna Ceppas Costume designer Liz Vandal Lighting designer Eric Champoux Artistic guides Guy Laliberté
Gilles Ste-CroixSound designer Jonathan Deans Makeup designer Julie Bégin Rigging and acrobatic equipment designer Fred Gérard Acrobatic performance designer Phillipe Aubertin Other information Preceded by Criss Angel Believe (2008) Succeeded by Banana Shpeel (2010) Official website Ovo is a touring circus production by Cirque du Soleil which premiered in Montréal, Canada, in 2009. Ovo's creator and director, Deborah Colker, took inspiration from the world of insects. The idea for Ovo was not to be about the acts, nor dancing, nor insects, but about movement.[1] The movement of life permeates the entire show with creatures flying, leaping, bounding, and crawling. Composer Berna Ceppas brought additional life to Ovo with a score inspired by the music of Brazil. Ovo means egg in Portuguese and represents the underlying thread through the show. Graphically, inside the logo of Ovo, is an insect. The two O's represent the eyes and the V forms the nose.[2]
Contents
History
During late April 2011, Ovo had to cancel performances in Ohio due to flooding at Coney Island. The Ohio River began flooding due to heavy rains over the period of a few days. The team had been running pumps, adjusted parking, as well as the show's layout, but finally did have to cancel multiple performances (April 22 - May 1, 2011).[3][4][5][6]
Set and technical information
The stage and set for Ovo were designed by Gringo Cardio and utilize irregular shapes throughout. The rear wall is 19 metres (62 ft) wide by 8 metres (26 ft) high and is only supported at the sides, thus allowing the trampolines for the final act to slide into place. Inset in the wall are 24 "firefly eggs"; these are moulded fibreglass bulbs fitted with LED bulbs which can produce a full color spectrum of light. The "membranes" seen throughout the performance are quite large in scale, the largest being 24 metres (79 ft) wide by 17 metres (56 ft) high. The egg seen at the beginning of the show is inflated to the size of 8.5 metres (28 ft) wide by 7 metres (23 ft) high.[1]
Ovo has the largest flying act yet undertaken by Cirque du Soleil, as of 2010. To support the act there are 80 cables which have to be installed during the performance; this requires the assistance of upwards of 40 performers and technicians. The trapeze net itself is 3 metres (9.8 ft) off the ground and spans 30 metres (98 ft) in length and 15 metres (49 ft) in width.[1]
Cast
Many characters are seen throughout Ovo, three of which are the main characters. The cast of Ovo, as of its premiere, included 53 performing artists from 13 different countries.[7]
- Master Flipo: The principal character, Master Flipo, keeps everything in this chaotic world in order.
- Foreigner: The Foreigner, another principal character, is a fly from a far-away land who brings with him the mysterious ovo.
- Ladybug: The Ladybug is the third principal who brings life and joy to the world of insects, and also ends up falling for the Foreigner.
- Dragonfly: The dragonfly flits throughout the entire performance and performs the hand balancing act.
- Spiders: Four spiders provide mystery and caution throughout the show. Their acts include contortion and slackwire.
- Fleas: Five spry fleas jump about with flashes of red and yellow as they perform acrosport.
- Ants: The ants carry kiwi and corn with them on their journey as they perform foot juggling.
- Butterflies: The duo butterflies fly through the air in a Spanish web duo.
- Firefly: The firefly flits about performing with diabolos.
- Mosquito: The mosquito adds character to the performance while also being part of the powertrack, trampoline, and wall act.
- Scarabs: The 12 strong scarabs fly through the air twisting and spinning in the flying trapeze act.
- Crickets: The 10 crickets jump and leap about in green streaks as they do power track, trampoline, and wall.
- Creatura: A mysterious Creatura brings life to the party with his dancing.
- Cockroaches: The 9 cockroaches are seen singing and playing music throughout the entire performance.
Acts
Ovo has ten acrobatic-related acts, whereas the rest are dancing or supplemental to the storyline.[7]
- Opening
- Hand balancing (Dragonfly)
- Foot juggling and Icarian games (Ants)
- Spanish web duo (Butterflies)
- Diabolos (Firefly)
- Creatura dancing (Creatura)
- Flying trapeze (Scarabs)
- Contortion (Spiders)
- Acrosport (Fleas)
- Slackwire (Spider)
- "Legs"
- Powertrack, Trampoline, Wall (Crickets)
- Banquete
Costumes
Liz Vandal costumes at OVO
The costumes of Ovo were designed by Liz Vandal and evoke the appearance of insects.[8] The costumes were created to have areas that appear as sections to replicate the segmented bodies of insects; this was achieved by using permanent pleating, varying finishes, and coloring methods. To also provide the illusion of exoskeletons, a mixture of fabrics were used to create both hard and soft flexible fabrics, thus providing the look of a hard shell without inhibiting the artists' movements.[9]
The crickets have detachable legs, which are removed for the powertrack act, to give the sense of an insect with six legs. The legs also provide the illusion the cricket is oversized, aiding the spectator's illusion of being the size of an insect in this world.[9]
Due to the rigidity of some of the costumes, most characters have two versions of their costume. The first is more lightweight and functional for their acrobatic performance. The second, on the other hand, is more richly detailed and heavier, and worn while not performing their act.[2]
Music
The show's musical influences stem primarily from Brazilian genres such as samba; both the creator and music director are Brazillian. Additional texture is added by the use of sounds of insects throughout the soundtrack.
Below is a list of the tracks featured on the CD, which was released on April 13, 2010.[10]
- Brisa Do Mar (Pre-show and opening)
- Foreigner (Cricket dance)
- Ants (Foot juggling and Icarian games)
- Cocoon (Interlude into Spanish Web Duo)
- Frevo Zumbido (Diabolos)
- Orvalho (Handbalancing)
- Carimbo da Creatura (Creatura dancing)
- Love Duet (Spanish web duo)
- Scarabee (Flying trapeze)
- Sexy Web (Contortion)
- Legs (Interlude into Power Track, Trampoline, and Wall)
- Flea Girls (Acrosport)
- Super Hero (Slackwire)
- Secret Samba Luv (Clown Act)
- Parede (Power track, trampoline, wall)
- Banquete (Banquet and Bows)
Further information: Cirque du Soleil discographyTour
Ovo started touring in April 2009.[11][12]
The following colorboxes indicate the region of each performance: NA North America
Grand Chapiteau tour
2010 schedule
NA Montréal, QC - From 23 April 2009 to 19 July 2009 (show première)
NA Québec, QC - From 30 July 2009 to 23 August 2009
NA Toronto, ON - From 3 September 2009 to 1 November 2009
NA San Francisco, CA - From 27 November 2009 to 24 January 2010
NA San Jose, CA - From 4 February 2010 to 21 March 2010
NA New York, NY - From 9 April 2010 to 6 June 2010
NA Hartford, CT - From 17 June 2010 to 11 July 2010
NA Boston, MA - From 22 July 2010 to 29 August 2010
NA Washington, DC - From 9 September 2010 to 24 October 2010
NA Atlanta, GA - From 4 November 2010 to 2 January 20112011 schedule
NA Dallas, TX - From 28 January 2011 to 27 February 2011
NA Houston, TX - From 10 March 2011 to 10 April 2011
NA Cincinnati, OH - From 21 April 2011 to 15 May 2011
NA Minneapolis, MN - From 26 May 2011 to 19 June 2011
NA Chicago, IL - From 29 June 2011 to 21 August 2011
NA Calgary, AB - From 7 September 2011 to 9 October 2011
NA Mexico City, MX - From 30 October 2011 to 11 December 20112012 schedule
NA Santa Monica, CA - From 20 January 2012 to 25 March 2012
NA Portland, OR - From 5 April 2012 to 13 May 2012
OC Brisbane, AU - Coming soon
OC Sydney, AU - Coming soon
OC Melbourne, AU - Coming soonReferences
- ^ a b c Cirque du Soleil (2010) (in EN, FR). Ovo Souvenir Program.
- ^ a b "Ovo Press Kit". Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit). http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/~/media/press/PDF/ovo/OVO_PressKit.pdf. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ "Due to ongoing weather conditions". Cirque du Soleil. 2011-04-27. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/news/2011/ovo-cincinnati-cancelled.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
- ^ "Ovo in Cincinnati, OH". Cirque du Soleil. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ovo/tickets/cincinnati.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Cirque du Soleil Cancels More Shows". WLWT-TV. 2011-04-25. http://www.wlwt.com/r/27659772/detail.html. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
- ^ "Cirque du Soleil cancels performances until May 1". WXIX-FOX19. 2011-04-26. http://www.fox19.com/story/14517191/cirque-du-soleil-cancels-performances-until-may-1st. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
- ^ a b "Ovo: Acts and Characters" (PDF). Cirque du Soleil (Press Kit). http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/~/media/press/PDF/ovo/OVO_Acts_characters.pdf. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Ovo - Costumes". Cirque du Soleil (Press Materials). http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/kits/shows/ovo/resources/costumes.aspx. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ a b Clément, Ronald (2009) (in CN, EN, FR, JP). Cirque du Soleil 25 Years of Costumes. Canada: Dépôt légal, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. pp. 138–143. ISBN 978-2-9803493-4-8.
- ^ "Music of OVO". Cirque Tribune. http://www.cirquetribune.com/music/ovo.html. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
- ^ "Ovo Tickets". Cirque du Soleil. http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ovo/tickets.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Ovo (Tour Schedule)". Cirque Tribune. http://cirquetribune.com/database/show.php?show=Ovo&mode=schedule. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
External links
Cirque du Soleil shows Touring shows Arena Grand Chapiteau Retired Banana Shpeel · Le Cirque Réinventé · Delirium · Fascination · Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil · La Magie Continue · Nouvelle ExpérienceResident shows Las Vegas Criss Angel Believe · Kà · Love · Mystère · O · Viva Elvis · Zumanity · Michael Jackson: The Immortal World TourNorth America Iris · La NoubaAsia Zaia · ZedRetired WintukNoted Special Events North America Les Chemins invisiblesCategories:
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
