[Steppes] Cirque du Soleil - Dralion - Nov 16 to Dec 9 - Fair Park

[Brent Ryder]

Dralion - Cirque du Soleil
http://www.cirquedusoleil.net/en/piste/dralion.html
Dallas - November 16 through December 9, 2001

Ticket prices
(US$)

ADULTS  CHILDREN  STUDENTS/SENIORS**
  Cat. 1  $60.00  $42.00  $53.75
  Cat. 2  $50.00  $35.00  $45.00
  Cat. 3  $37.00  $26.00  $33.00
  * VIP  $160.00  $112.00
* With the Dralion VIP Package, experience all the magic of Cirque du Soleil
before the show has even begun…


The Show
This is the third new production from Cirque du Soleil in only six months,
following hard on the heels of "O", which opened in October 1998, and La
Nouba, which premiered in December 1998. Dralion marks a turning point in
Cirque du Soleil's history: it is the first show by a new creative team
headed by Gilles Ste-Croix, Director of Creation for Cirque du Soleil.

The Theme
Dralion is the fusion of ancient Chinese circus tradition and the
avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil.

Suspended in time between the past and the future, Dralion is a celebration
of life and the four elements that maintain the natural order: air, water,
fire and earth.

Dralion propels these four pillars of the universe into a futuristic
dimension. Here, the iridescent colours of the costumes are reflected in the
metallic glints of a decor that comes straight out of the cinéma
fantastique. The music borrows from more traditional sources, then bursts
into the electro-symphonic realm of a world yet to come.

Innovation soars to new heights as it defies the laws of nature. Dralion is
Cirque du Soleil at its purest. Dralion is a dynamic performance that seems
to transcend the boundaries of the imagination and lead us into a dreamscape
with a new and sparkling perspective.


The Creative Team

Guy Laliberté, Guide
Guy Caron, Director
Gilles Ste-Croix, Director of Creation
Stéphane Roy, Set Designer
François Barbeau, Costume Designer
Violaine Corradi, Composer
Julie Lachance, Choreographer
Luc Lafortune, Lighting Designer
Guy Desrochers, Sound Designer
Serge Roy, Artistic Director


The Cast and the Acts

Dralion features 56 artists from 8 different countries (Brazil, Bulgaria,
Canada, China, France, Ivory Coast, Ukraine and the United States),
including a house troupe of 37 Chinese acrobats. The multi-talented
performers present a variety of high-calibre acts: ballet on lights, hoop
diving, bamboo poles, juggling, teeterboard, double trapeze and skipping
ropes. All acts were specially created for Dralion.
Clowns "without whom no circus is complete" appear throughout the show,
adding more than a touch of madness.

The Set
The breathtaking futuristic set is an immense technological sculpture whose
every component serves as an accessory to the acrobats throughout the show.
One of these components, hanging close to the dome of the big top, is an
aluminum structure made up of three rings, each of which has a particular
function. One ring, called "the sun", serves as an acrobatic apparatus,
another as a catwalk, while the third is used for technical purposes and
houses an enormous lantern. The metal wall acts as backdrop and orchestra
pit, in addition to being used by the artists during the performance.

The Costumes
The costumes, created exclusively for Dralion, are in four colours,
representing the elements: blue for the air, green for water, red for fire
and ochre for earth.

The Music
Dralion's soundtrack is an inspired fusion of sounds from East and West,
acoustic and electric, with rhythmic and lyrical motifs. The influences
range from Indian melodies to the sound of instruments from Andalusia,
Africa, Central Europe and the West

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