Cirque du Soleil: “Kurios - Cabinet of Curiosities”
Cirque du Soleil always does things in a big way. This week their latest touring show Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities has been setting up shop in North Houston.
Free Press Houston spoke to Artistic Director Rachel Lancaster who gave some insight into the logistics of the production. Lancaster, who has worked for Cirque du Soleil for six years, explained how it always takes longer to set up the stage than to tear it down.
“We go through each single element and check it before we start. Then we recheck it with the actors, and do things like adjust the lighting,” says Lancaster. “But when it’s over you just pack it up and put it in a truck.”
The entire show encompasses one-hundred-and-ten people including performers and technicians. The artistic director is in charge of the same functions as a resident or associate director on a Broadway show. “My primary responsibility is anything you see on stage,” says Lancaster. “I see to it that the show stays close to the original vision of the creators.” Michel Laprise is the writer and director and Chantal Tremblay is the director of creation.
“The inspiration for the show has its basis in turn of the century invention – like the invention of flight. One of the big themes for Kurios is steampunk,” says Lancaster. “It’s the look of the 19th century with a 21th century twist.”
Lancaster notes that the clothing made for each performer. “The costumes are designed to move acrobatically. Some of the costumes are made to look like 19th century heavy wool tweed, but it’s actually a light weight fabric that is made by a company in Montreal.”
“Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities” is playing through May 21 at Sam Houston Park. Tickets are available at: www.cirquedusoleil.com/kurios
Photo: Martin Girard / shootstudio.ca
Costumes: Philippe Guillotel
