Saturday, July 29, 2006
Technology plays a larger role in the newest manifestation.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
The art of dreaming is explored like perhaps never before in Cirque du Soleil's latest production "Delirium," which comes to Cleveland for performances Aug. 3 through 5 at Quicken Loans Arena.
At a performance last month in Pittsburgh, "Delirium" created a quintessential Cirque du Soleil surreal universe, defying logic and gravity while featuring oddball characters performing feats of strength and balance.
However, unlike previous Cirque du Soleil shows, where acrobatic talents trump any sort of overt narrative, the Montreal, Quebec-based touring company's latest production -- its first designed strictly for arenas -- is more of a theatrical show featuring topnotch musical performances spanning many genres and what is perhaps the greatest use of multimedia technology to date, with two gigantic screens acting as bookends to the massive stage.
Despite a natural loss of intimacy jumping from theaters to arenas, the ingenious decision to slice the expansive venue in half lengthwise (from basketball hoop to basketball hoop) proves a success.
Interpretive performance
Ultimately the story is about the insecurity of loneliness and the desire to find love and companionship in the world with the main character dangling from a balloon as he floats over, under and through a manifestation of his biggest fears. In many ways, it feels as though you're watching a live interpretation of themes explored throughout the entire Pink Floyd catalog.
Fans who have witnessed any of the popular Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil shows should come prepared for something slightly different. While "Delirium" does offer numerous awe-inspiring moments, it seems as though Cirque du Soleil is shifting its focus from presenting the unlimited possibilities of the human body to the boundless technology created by the human mind.
So it's for this reason that "Delirium" will expand your horizons all night long.
Cirque du Soleil's "Delirium" will be at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, at 8 p.m., Aug. 3 to 5 (plus a 2 p.m. show Aug. 5). Check Ticketmaster for tickets.