It is under the sign of evolution with Totem that Cirque du Soleil returns to Parc de Bagatelle for its new show. It has become a tradition to see them plant their big top at this time of year with one of their shows on tour
Those who know them probably already have their tickets. The others should let themselves be seduced. Cirque du Soleil is another way of doing circus: the stage sets a scenery, it is made of a bamboo forest and two islands that come to life through video projections. Even if we are on a tour stage that does not allow large installations like on Las Vegas shows, an amazing and futuristic structure will emerge from one of its islands but it may be the giant turtle shell that will seem even more amazing to you... If the stage is a beautiful space, the incredible creativity of the costumes is also the trademark of Cirque du Soleil. With this theme on evolution, human hope moves from its primitive state of amphibian to its desire to steal the whole thing, dotted with Aboriginal or resolutely modern creative stories: man in all his questioning
There is also the music produced live by a group of musicians (we can see them behind the bamboo forest) and singers who will make us vibrate. As always, one of the themes will stay with us for a long time... I think my brain opted for Que Viyéra which accompanied the couple of trapeze artists
All this, of course, is at the service of numbers. No big machinery on Totem's tour but some nuggets and humour with Valentino, the talkative and boastful Italian tourist or Misha, a clown with a practical mind. Favourite for the act of artists on unicycles with their flying bowls. Their ability to synchronize while in motion is unique. We should not forget the Amerindian dancers and their hoops or the incredible contortion act. The latter seems unreal so great is the performance. Many other very high level numbers, on bars, on rings or on the trapeze..
As a Cirque du Soleil fan, I would say that Totem is not the best because the theme is not sufficiently exploited and the numbers follow one another without always very obvious links. A little disappointed to see that the central character or the other artists did not stay on stage any longer to attend the other acts. This specificity of Cirque du Soleil creates a form of unity and a scenic space where our eye could pass from the action to the detail of a close character. But the magic is there and it works anyway... it remains a very beautiful creation
Totem with its 118 artists and technicians from 28 different countries is one of the highlights of the season. An evening in a unique circus... so you have to go to Bagatelle Park before December 30th
