Varekai: The circus comes to town

I dream for every citizen of the world to see “Varekai.” Come to think of it, it isn’t every day that the demi-gods of this mesmerizing spectacle descend from the ethereal heavens to entertain us mortals. I have just returned from a visit to the soul of Seoul. I flew to this progressive South Korean capital for one life-changing day to catch the circus. It wasn’t just any circus; it was the star of them all. The world’s illustrious Cirque du Soleil, a major Quebec-based organization providing world-renowned entertainment. It currently presents the show “Varekai,” which means “wherever” in Cirque de Soleil parlance, and just like the traveler that I am, home is where I find myself.

“Varekai” is the story of a solitary young man named Icarus who is parachuted into an enchanted forest inhabited by whimsical creatures. He flies too close to the sun, which causes his demise. However, director Dominic Champagne ingenuously brings him back to life as he lands in the mysterious forest of Varekai. As spectators in awe and reverence, we vicariously join Icarus in his sojourn through infinite possibilities, extraordinary adventure and magical fantasy.

 Like water, the performers in “Varekai” merge in graceful fluidity. Like the wind, they fly spontaneously in all glorious dexterity. Like fire, their passion and excitement zealously burns in your senses as you watch in suspended animation. With bated breath, you are awed by gravity-defying stunts that appear so beautiful and languid yet the realization of imminent danger grips your heart and soul as you embrace the power and grace of each act that leaves you simply spellbound. When this circus comes to town this month, from June 22 to July 10, no matter where you are, what you are doing, you ought to troop to the Cirque du Soleil Chapiteau at Rizal Park across the Quirino Grandstand in Manila and seize the opportunity to watch “Varekai.” This circus may never pass our way again.

Even the writer Ernest Hemingway might agree, as he once said, “The circus is the only spectacle I know that, while you watch it, gives the quality of a happy dream.”

“Varekai” shows off colorful original costumes that cost approximately $12,000 a piece, giving new shapes to traditional Lycra bodysuit. The show uses 130 costumes.

In initial disbelief, my media colleagues and I watched the gravity-defying stunts — graceful acrobats somersaulting over 25 times in the air, one landing on the soles of his twin brother’s feet; a juggler tossing ping-pong balls hundreds of feet up in the air from his mouth and catching them once again in the same orifice; Russian dancers catapulting themselves into the air like human cannonballs and landing on the shoulders of their co-acrobats. A beautiful contortionist in her Swarovski-embellished dancewear whose lithe body stands upright on one hand, as she tucks her petite feet under her chin (you seriously wonder if she has any bones at all). Four glamorous, amazingly toned women twirling and twisting from trapeze ropes as though their bodies were created from rubber and men dangling from aerial straps that soar around the arena like chosen angels. I had to pinch myself to confirm I wasn’t dreaming.

A synergy of drama, balance and control, expert skill and power complemented by unique music and opulent sets are interwoven with eclectic costume design, acrobatics and dance in the universal language of movement.

A day in the life of the circus included a grand backstage tour. We were blessed with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the cast, crew and creators of Cirque Du Soleil’s “Varekai.” Cirque Du Soleil is a fulltime traveling circus. Like one big united family, they transport their entire production — weighing over 100 tons, including steel, tents, generators, equipment, air conditioners, every hook, peg and container — to wherever country they perform. They travel with their chefs who prepare nutritious meals for the circus family, accredited teachers who oversee the study programs of the child performers, physicians and physical therapists to attend to the concerns of every performer, crew and artistic directors like Mathieu Gatien, director of creation Andrew Watson, wardrobe guru Eiko Ishioka, the Academy-winning costume designer of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) who designed the costumes for the contemporary circus. Ishioka’s designs, using Lycra materials on bodysuits, are based on Greek myths, adding a mystical mood to the lush forest of magic and mystery.

“Everything is well taken care of — health, well-being, security, safety and more. Each individual need only focus on her/his specific task. This way, the highest level of excellence is achieved,” shared Cynthia Clemente, the charming Venezuelan publicist of Cirque du Soleil.

A juggling virtuoso manipulates colorful balls with his hands, feet, head and even his mouth.

Watching Cirque du Soleil is like experiencing a rainbow of dreams. You feel the presence of their surreal art that captures your senses but if you look beyond, and realize the kind of lives that they live, you will appreciate them even more. Take for example the Santos family of acrobats — they are the eighth generation in their family to perform for the Cirque du Soleil. They told me the circus is their only dream and that they are happily living it. They look forward to training the ninth generation as well.

The world of “Varekai” is a land of equal opportunity: even the dancer on crutches never considers himself physically challenged. Nothing can deter us or hinder us from our goals. Who would have thought that a circus of this magnitude could ever make a difference in how we view the circle of life?

“Varekai” first performed in Montreal in 2002 and since then it has visited 55 cities in more than 12 countries. The music is performed live by the seven-piece band with two singers. As with all Cirque du Soleil productions, no animals perform in “Varekai.” There are 23 nationalities performing for “Varekai” including citizens of Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Kazakhstan, China, France, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK and the US.  

Approximately 170 people travel with the tour including 125 employees and the rest are official accompanying members (spouses and children). Of the 125 employees, 58 are performers. Two performance medicine people (one physiotherapist and one therapist) travel with the tour. The kitchen employs one kitchen manager and three cooks. The school on-site has four full-time teachers and 10 students.

Grace on high: From their trapeze high up, four young women perform a series of striking acrobatic moves, displaying grace, sensuality and impeccable timing.

The tour relies on local suppliers for many essentials such as food and fuel and hires about 150 locals for a variety of jobs like ushers and ticket takers.

Experts from Cirque du Soleil did soil testing upon choosing the site in the Quirino grandstand for the staging of “Varekai” in Manila. It will take eight days to construct and three days to deconstruct the tents or the mobile village of the Cirque du Soleil. The biggest tent, the Grand Chapiteau, stands 66 feet high, 167 feet in diameter. It can seat more than 2,600 people.

Each “Varekai” show brings with it an eternity. Its universal language is comprehended by everyone. “Varekai” is a life=enhancing experience, a state of nirvana, a grand spectacle.

We are all searching for our personal legend, a story that the entire universe can embrace a narrative that blends the physical and spiritual energies that breaths power, courage, inspiration and unfathomable beauty and grace. “Varekai” is this desired treasure. 

Cirque du Soleil is magical, special and sentimental. My very first article for my “Rendezvous” travel column in this paper that started 11 years ago was about the Cirque du Soleil “Saltimbanco” show in Hong Kong. I was enthralled by the twirling and pirouetting of the clowns, eclectically performing in the gigantic white tent against the romantic Victoria harbor. Today, over 350 travel articles later, I return to view the Circus that is closest to my heart and, I dare say, they have certainly come a long way.

The Icarian games, an ancient circus art, prove that nothing is impossible. Here, the human body displays strength, balance and agility.

I dream for every citizen of the world to witness “Varekai,” the epitome of true courage, inspiration and renewed vigor. It is a testament to man’s ability to excel, to test his own limitations and transcend it. It merits applause as it sets no borders, no parameters for fear and makes us believe that nothing is impossible. For me, it truly upholds the affirmation that our lives are God’s gifts to us but what we do with it is our gift to Him in return. 

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Hoopla Inc., led by GM Therese Tinio, is the local promoter of “Varekai.” For more information, visit www.hoopla.ph or call 669-2222. “Varekai” is brought to Manila by Sunlife as sponsor and BDO and Manila Hotel as co-presenter.

Cebu Pacific flies to Seoul, Korea twice daily. For reservation, please call 702-0888.

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E-mail the author at mailto:miladay.star@gmail.com.

Philippine media group meets the eighth generation Santos family acrobats at Cirque de Soleil in Seoul. (From left) Hoopla GM Therese Tinio, Business Mirror’s Cai Ordinario, ABS-CBN’s Ginger Conejero, Manila Bulletin’s Rudy Liwanag, author Christine Dayrit and Ariel Fulgado.