Le Grand Cirque sets Joburg alight
Makeona Pabale
16 July 2008
Le Grand Cirque is a unique show bringing together acrobats and jugglers from around the world, with Chinese, Russian, British and American faces in the cast, amongst others. Currently showing at Johannesburg's Civic Theatre until 3 August, the show is already wowing the crowds.
One of the acts, Chinese pole climbing, was invented by sailors as a test of endurance and fitness, as they were exhorted to climb and jump from mast to mast on their boats. Today the pole art is considered one of the most dangerous acts on stage.
Contortion was another act - this mind-boggling, body-bending art originated in the Mediterranean countries of Egypt, Greece and Rome, and has come from the ancient Roman Circus to the modern stage.
Some of the costume designs are inspired by the natural elements of earth, wind, rain and fire, infused with the seasons, while others were inspired by traditional Chinese tales and Greek mythology.
Dragons, spirits and magical horses all add to the adventure of Le Grand Cirque.
Challenges
David King, the show's executive producer, says that things were not always smooth sailing, and there were some challenges along the way to bringing the spectacular to the world's stages.
"There were many obstacles to overcome, including the huge language barriers that existed between all the different performers, but with a dedicated team of translators and interpreters the show [has taken] shape."
And what a shape it has taken, with screaming and clapping in the Civic's Nelson Mandela Theatre were obvious signs that the audience was excited.
"This is my first time at the circus and boy am I glad I came. These guys' stunts are absolutely mind-blowing," said spectator Thapelo Maila after seeing the show. Another spectator, Caren Van Zyl, said: "When I see billboards about this show, I thought that things were just blown out of proportion. But now I can tell you this show is as exciting as exciting gets."
Le Grand Cirque is on at the Nelson Mandela Theatre, in the Civic Theatre complex in Braamfontein until 3 August.
Tickets cost from R171 to R313 each, and are available at Computicket, on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, or through the Computicket website. VIP tickets can be bought by phoning 011 877 6854.
Performances are 8pm from Mondays to Saturdays, with a matinee at 3pm on Saturdays and 2pm and 5pm on Sundays. There is also a special schools performance on 31 July at 11am. For more information about this performance, contact Glynnis Davies on 011 877 6853.
Source: City of Johannesburg
