By Sheryl Nance-Nash
In a large studio, performers balance each other in the air. Others suspended on ropes do mid-air splits and twist and turn in unison. In another studio, artists in elaborate, colorful costumes are rehearsing for their coming Cirque du Soleil at Sea show for MSC Cruises. You stare, hold your breath and exhale when all is done.
It’s not often you get to find out what’s in the secret sauce, you just savor the flavors and wonder. But, every now and again, the chef invites you into the kitchen. And that’s the opportunity I had to get a sneak peek at how Cirque du Soleil is creating magic for MSC Cruises.
I didn’t know what to expect as our small group was quietly ushered into the troupe’s Montreal headquarters as if on a secret mission. Passports were needed to enter the cavernous building that’s home to about 1,500 employees.
It was a glimpse of a work in progress, but even in rehearsal the acrobatic feats are spectacular. Take the young lady lying on her back, adeptly balancing soccer-sized balls with her feet and later speedily spinning a tire with her feet. Then there’s the guy on a rope with a ladder that he climbs while balancing with one hand. And then there’s the threesome twirling and floating like butterflies while dancing suspended by bungees.
It’s already beautiful and they had only just begun to learn their routines. You can only imagine how fab the final production will be.
Stay tuned, because it’s coming soon. In March, MSC Cruises launches its new MSC Bellissima, and two new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows: Syma – Sail beyond Imagination and Varélia – Love in Full Color are both exclusive to the Bellissima.
It makes you feel inspired watching such athleticism. Creativity is in abundance and there’s a buzz in the building. Everyone is dedicated to turning the imaginative shows into reality. A team of seamstresses are busy at their machines, sewing sequins and buttons on costumes, finishing off masks and headpieces. Every piece is original and elaborate, with brilliant bursts of reds, greens, purples and blues.
Cirque du Soleil even makes their own shoes: sports models suited to circus acrobatics that are flexible and give proper support to the ankles, yet are strong and non-slippery. They come in black only, which Cirque describes as “a neutral shade that ‘disappears,’ if you will, from the audience’s mind.”
It takes more than 115 people to create the Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows. Onboard MSC Bellissima, there will be 27 cast and crew from Cirque, including 16 performers who have roles in both shows. The two shows will run twice a day for six days of the ship’s itinerary.
Syma takes you on the journey of a young, imaginative sailor as he braves the elements, plunges into troubled waters and discovers the mysterious island of his dreams populated by surreal and colorful creatures. Immersive video images, an original set design, bioluminescent lighting and acrobatic feats will make the dreams unforgettably vivid.
Varélia puts a futuristic twist on a traditional medieval tale. It traces the arduous course of an unconventional courtship between a princess with distinctive violet skin and a charming hero who is blind. Naturally, there’s a spoiler– a villain who, in a fit of madness, kidnaps the royal. With the help of his friends, her lover is game to play hero and crafts a rescue plan. The wow-inspiring acrobatics, lasers and the unique set design of this futuristic medieval tale are over the top.
This is the latest collaboration between MSC and Cirque, who have had a partnership since 2013. Last year, MSC Meraviglia was the first ship to showcase the Cirque du Soleil concept with the shows Viaggio and Sonor. The bar has been raised on Bellissima. For the first time, Cirque will do a bungee dance.
In a scene in Syma, after being caught in a storm on journey to a distant island, mermaids make an appearance, showcased by the bungee dance. These performers, attached by the stretchy cords from the ceiling, appear as if they’re swimming as they interact with Syma on his journey.
The custom-designed Carousel Lounge on the MSC Bellissima–that cost 20-million Euros (US$23-million) to build–can seat 400 guests and features state-of-the-art technology. The 360-degree rotating stage is set in the middle of the lounge with seating all around and a giant LED screen for background scenes. The lounge has also been fitted with a complex range of rigging specifically for the acts of both shows to allow artists to perform their stunning aerial acts.
For sure, an artistic journey of this magnitude is never easy. It takes eight to 10 months to prepare for shows. One of the challenges was designing the show in a much smaller and more intimate space than is typical for Cirque.
Another biggie was keeping in mind the movements of the ship. Performers first train and rehearse on land for two weeks at the Montreal facility. Then the performers board the ship to begin a six-month contract, spending a month and a half rehearsing the performances and getting used to the movement of the sea before the shows officially launch on board. An upside of performing on a ship is that the stage has to be intimate and that intensifies the atmosphere. Guests will feel as if they could touch the performers.
Work is already underway for other Cirque shows for MSC Grandiosa, which launches in November, 2019 which will be followed by MSC Virtuosa, in October, 2020.
Sheryl Nance-Nash is a freelance travel writer based in Long Island. Her work has appeared in Fodor’s, ShermansTravel, Afar, Travelocity, Orbitz and Upscale Magazine.
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