Crazy, colorful Cirque du Soleil

CIRQUE du Soleil company manager Robert Mackenzie put it succinctly: “We’re one big happy, dysfunctional family.”

Indeed, it must be a colorful, crazy journey, traveling with this merry band of clowns and contortionists, artists and acrobats, all over the world.

Still, Mackenzie told Inquirer Entertainment that Cirque, after 25 years in the biz, has become a “well-oiled machine.”

Well, the mobile fun machine will be visiting Manila on the wings (ropes?) of the show “Varekai,” which will run from June 22 to July 8 at the Rizal Park across the Quirino Grandstand.

Mackenzie told Inquirer during the show’s launch at the Manila Hotel that the company will bring in 1,200 tons of sets, costumes and props in 65 container trucks.

It may seem like a logistical nightmare but it’s not, Mackenzie asserted, because Cirque is used to the drill by now.

He conceded, however, that since “Varekai” has a cast of 60 performers from 23 different countries, the troupe can be described as some sort of a moveable Babel.

“We have performers from Argentina to the Ukraine, speaking different languages,” said Mackenzie. “Fortunately for me, the common language is English.”

Mathieu Gatien, the artistic director, told Inquirer that Cirque is open to various kinds of artists, regardless of nationality, religion, gender and performing abilities.

Inspiring

Dergin Tokmak, a differently abled “Varekai” cast member, performs a solo on crutches, Mackenzie said.

“It’s always inspiring to watch Dergin,” Gatien said.

Tokmak, from Germany (though his parents are from Turkey), related that he joined a hip hop boy band called Da F.U.N.K. when he was younger. As for his unique dance routine, he said, “I learned it on my own.”

Brothers Stiv and Roni Bello, who are from Italy, said they picked up their acrobatic skills from their family. “Passed on for generations,” explained Roni.

Still, the Bellos don’t take anything for granted and rehearse constantly. “We spend an hour in the gym every day,” said Stiv. “And we warm up 40 minutes before the show.”

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