Encore for Cirque du Soleil

COMING TO MANILA Cirque du Soleil will present its longest-running touring production, “Saltimbanco,” to Philippine audiences at the new Mall of Asia Arena on Aug. 9-19, 2012. PHOTO FROM CIRQUE.5GBFREE.COM

A troupe this good deserves an encore, always.

And so, just months after “Varekai,” Philippine promoter Hoopla announced last week the return of Cirque du Soleil to Manila.

From Aug. 9 to 19, 2012, Cirque will present its longest-running touring production, “Saltimbanco,” to Philippine audiences—at the new Mall of Asia Arena, which opens in the summer.

“The Philippines is a natural market for us,” David Anthony, Cirque company manager, told Inquirer during the launch held at the Manila Hotel recently.

Anthony said the Manila crowd had swiftly embraced Cirque’s form of entertainment. He offered an explanation: “Filipinos understand our style—which is not surprising, because the Philippines has a strong tradition of the performing arts. Everyone here loves to sing and dance.”

“Varekai” had added over 10 shows to its run on account of brisk ticket sales. It was “very successful,” Anthony pointed out. “Everyone was delighted with the results.”

Does this mean there is a chance that Cirque du Soleil will set up a Manila base, just like the one in Las Vegas, Macau, New York, Orlando, Tokyo and Los Angeles?

“Who knows? As our founder, Guy Laliberté, would say, ‘impossible’ is only a word,” Anthony quipped. “If response for ‘Saltimbanco’ is just as overwhelming, perhaps we’ll consider that.” A resident show in Manila isn’t far-fetched, he said, especially since Filipino artistry is acclaimed the world over.

Filipinos who are interested in joining Cirque may check out the company’s website, he said. “We are always looking out for new talents—dancers, singers, acrobats, jugglers.”

As envisioned by Laliberté, Cirque has always been open to all nationalities and cultures, added Anthony.

He recalled, “Cirque started as a group of friends who were street performers in Canada.” From that ragtag troupe, Cirque has grown into a “global organization.”

“Cirque du Soleil has evolved into an international cultural icon,” said Christopher Thornley, Canada’s ambassador to the Philippines.

The new venue is perfect, Anthony said. “After experiencing the big top with ‘Varekai,’ Filipinos will get to watch an arena show.”

Mall of Asia Arena, which will be finished by April next year, “comfortably seats 10,000, but for the ‘Saltimbanco’ 6,000 seats will be made available,” according to SM reps.

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