The circus is coming to town! Not just any circus, but Cirque du Soleil, the circus of circuses. Established in Quebec in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has dazzled and amazed almost 100 million people in 300 cities across five continents.
Cirque du Soleil has visited Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham previously with their shows Delirium in 2007/08, Quidam in 2009 and Saltimbanco in 2010. It returns to the SECC in Glasgow from 11th -15th April 2012 with a UK premiere of their new spectacle, Alegría, that premiered in Montreal in 1994 and promises to be one of the entertainment highlights of the year.
The spectacular two and a half hour production showcases dazzling acrobatics that will astound audiences of all ages. The skill and poise of these world-renowned performers are put to the test in dramatic situations such as the high-energy Aerial High Bar group (pictured), where aerialists fly to catchers swinging more than 40 feet above the stage.
In the rhythmic and dangerous Fire-Knife Dance, artists manipulate flaming knives around their bodies, while Power Track showcases a brilliant display of synchronized choreography and tumbling on a trampoline system magically concealed under the stage floor.
In Russian Bars, artists fly through the air and perform spectacular somersaults and mid-air turns, landing on bars perched on the sturdy shoulders of catchers.
In 2000 Cirque du Soleil set up a social training programme with the aim of “…develop[ing] strong personal and professional ethics… encourage[ing] and advocate[ing] circus arts as a tool of individual development.”
They have since trained 2,000 participants from over 25 countries throughout the world, essentially becoming the Kitemark for circus trained performers. Cirque du Soleil trained is a by-word for excellence.
Alegría is Spanish for happiness, joy and jubilation and features an international cast of 55 performers and musicians from 17 countries that not only astonish with physical feats and breathtaking acrobatics but act out a story full of gorgeous and glamorous characters. It promises to be a meld of magic, mastery and above all breath-taking entertainment.
Alegría UK Tour Schedule
Manchester Evening News Arena (Weds 4th April – Sat 7th April)
Wednesday, 4th April – 8.00pm
Thursday, 5th April – 8.00pm
Friday, 6th April –8.00pm
Sat, 7th April – 4.00pm and 8.00pm
Glasgow – Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre (Weds 11th April – Sun 15th April)
Wednesday, 11th April – 8.00pm
Thursday, 12th April – 8.00pm
Friday, 13th April – 8.00pm
Saturday, 14th April – 4.00pm and 8.00pm
Sunday, 15th April – 1.00pm and 5.00pm
Birmingham National Indoor Arena (Weds 18th April – Sun 22nd April)
Wednesday, 18th April – 8.00pm
Thursday, 19th April – 8.00pm
Friday, 20th April – 8.00pm
Saturday, 21st April – 4.00pm and 8.00pm
Sunday, 22nd April – 1.00pm and 5.00pm
Tickets for Alegría, all priced at £50, are on sale now at Ticketmaster, and www.livenation.co.uk, or call 0844 856 0202