Cirque Du Soleil - Quidam

 I must admit, I had not been very enthusiastic about an upcoming performance that my missus won tickets to.  She is part of an insider's club ( I guess that makes me part of the outsiders) for our local radio station.  She answers random questions and fills out surveys on occasion.  For this effort, insider's names are put in a draw for random prizes.  A couple of weeks ago there was a message on our answering machine, indicating that she was a winner of one of these prizes.  For all my scoffing at 'waste of time' ventures, this one turned out quite well, four tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil - Quidam  at the Scotiabank Place (formerly Corel Centre) just outside of our fair capital city, Ottawa. 




So still not entirely sold on excitement, the four of us headed out after work yesterday afternoon on the hour journey to the Scotiabank center.

Now free is nice, but it is not backstage passes.  However, we did have decent seats on the second level (nosebleed section was not sold for this event).


It was an amazing display of athleticism from the opening chord to the final curtain, two and a half hours later.  Circque is certainly the modern version of the old three ring circus act.  The only things missing are the animals of the old Barnum Bailey routines.  The music is quite magnificent - a live band covers the entire back of the stage, and throughout the performance there were many fine examples of improvisation evident.

http://youtu.be/l88iZabcF6g


Three particular performances stick out in my mind.  The first was the slo-mo duo.  The girl was perched upsidedown on the shoulders of the man.  As near as I could tell all that connected was her shoulders locked into the sockets of his collarbone - ouch - and then there were the contortions performed from this maneuover  onward.  


Second was the gymnastic troop, who tossed two young ladies to and fro through the air, culminating in a four tier trapese act, with the two ladies flipping high above the stage - nary a slip!



The third act that I particularly found entertaining was the clown who nabbed four audience members for an improv skit.  They were certainly good sports about the whole thing - I hope they weren't plants.

It was a most pleasant evening out.  It was great to just spend some family time together, and other than a bit of gas to get there, it was FREE!  Thanks Insider's Club.


And that is about all I have to say for today.


Musings and meanderings from the Musical Gardener.