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Varekai
Logo for Cirque du Soleil's Varekai
CompanyCirque du Soleil
GenreContemporary circus
Show typeTouring show
Date of premiereApril 24, 2002 (Montreal)
Final showDecember 23, 2017 (Frisco, Texas)
Creative team
DirectorDominic Champagne
Director of creationAndrew Watson
Set designerStéphane Roy
ComposerViolaine Corradi
Costume designerEiko Ishioka
Lighting designerNol van Genuchten
ChoreographersMichael Montanaro
Bill Shannon
Sound designerFrançois Bergeron
Makeup designerNathalie Gagné
Aerial acts designerAndré Simard
Rigging designerJaque Paquin
Clown act creatorCahal McCrystal
ProjectionsFrancis Laporte
Artistic directorMichael Smith
Other information
Preceded byDralion (1999)
Succeeded byZumanity (2003)
Official website

Varekai was a Cirque du Soleil touring production that premiered in Montréal in April 2002.[1] Its title means "wherever" in the Romani language, and the show is an "acrobatic tribute to the nomadic soul".[2]

The show begins with the Greek myth of Icarus, picking up where the myth leaves off, reimagining the story of what happened to Icarus after he flew too close to the sun and fell from the sky. In Varekai, rather than drowning in the sea below him, Icarus lands in a lush forest full of exotic creatures.

Set and technical information

[edit]

The set, created by Stéphane Roy, includes four major components: the forest, stage, catwalk, and lookout. The forest consists of 330 "trees",[clarification needed] of which around 20 are climbable. The trees range from 4.5 metres (15 ft) to 10.5 metres (34 ft) in height. The stage is 12.8 metres (42 ft) in diameter and has five trap doors, two turntables, and one elevating platform. The catwalk is 30 metres (98 ft) in length and allows performers to cross over the stage; it ends at a lookout which is 7 square metres (75 sq ft).[1]

Cast and crew

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Approximately 95 people travel with the Varekai tour; 50 are artists and the rest are crew. During each engagement in a city, anywhere from 80 to 100 people are hired locally for temporary jobs during the week but mainly for load-in and load-out. The cast and crew is an international one, representing 19 nationalities.[1]

The cast of Varekai includes many unique characters.

  • Icarus: Innocent and vulnerable, he finds himself wounded in an unknown world. His desire to live and overcome his fears will drive him to new heights and an eventual rebirth. Icarus was first performed by Russian acrobat Anton Chelnokov who made his Cirque Du Soleil debut as a child, performing the contortion act in Saltimbanco alongside his parents.[3][4]
  • The Betrothed: An exotic creature who enraptures Icarus with her sensual beauty. She will be his guiding light and he, in turn, will be the catalyst for her metamorphosis.
  • The Guide: Weathered by the sun of many centuries, he’s like a kindly, fragile great-grandfather—a wise old man whose mission is to inspire and bring about change.
  • The Skywatcher: Mad scientist and ingenious inventor, collector of the world’s memories and interpreter of signs, this is a man who receives signals, transforms sounds and forewarns of trials and tribulations. He lives perched on the edge of his laboratory-nest.
  • Candide
  • Kamikaze
  • L'Écureuil
  • Blue Lizard
  • Ermite
  • La Toupie
  • Lizard
  • Mafioso
  • Magioso
  • Tampier
  • Limping Angel
  • Clowns: A comedic duo who like to ruin the artistic flow of the show.
  • The Patriarch: He narrates his son Icarus's journey through the magical forest of Varekai.
  • The Muse
  • The Mother
  • Algea
  • Na
  • Water Meteor

Acts

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  • Flight of Icarus: Icarus falls from the sky into the forest of Varekai. He rises up and performs an act in an Aerial Net.
  • Synchronized Tumbling: Acrobats jump, twist and turn on an inflatable mat often in perfect synchronization. This act replaced Icarian Games as of 2015.
  • Dance Trapeze: Suspended high above the stage, a woman performs, dances and contorts in a solo trapeze.
  • Magic Act: Claudio and Mooky try to perform a magic act.
  • Georgian Dance: This act takes its inspiration from the traditional dances of Caucasus Mountains and includes elements from several mountain dances of the region. Originally performed in the show by former soloists of Georgian State Dance Company; Badri Esatia, Temuri Koridze and Khvicha Tetvadze.
  • Slippery Surface: Darting and sliding on a specially designed surface, the artists fling and catch each other, creating an illusion of skating.
  • Lounge Singer: Claudio sings Ne Me Quitte Pas while trying to stay in the spotlight, literally.
  • Solo on Crutches: Like a jointed puppet, the Limping Angel performs on crutches, sliding around the stage.
One of the characters in the show. Picture taken in Melbourne.
  • Aerial Straps: Two performers fly above the stage, suspended by aerial straps.
  • Cyr Wheel: The roue Cyr involves a solo artist spinning, balancing and doing inversions.
  • Lightbulb: Always on the lookout for new inventive ways to mess with or interfere in the life of the inhabitants of the forest, the Skywatcher helps the Guide in a dire situation.
  • Handbalancing on Canes: La Promise performs an act contorting and spinning gracefully on canes.
  • Russian Swing: Acrobats fly into the air and down onto a net, being propelled by two Russian swings. The performers flip, jump and glide into the net, as well as jumping onto the performers' shoulders, as well as jumping from one Russian swing to another.

Acts in Rotation

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  • Batons: A world-champion baton performer throws, twirls and manipulates up to three batons at once while performing acrobatics.

Retired Acts

[edit]
  • Icarian Games: Icarian Games is one of the oldest circus arts disciplines. One of the performers lies on his back and flips, twirls and spins another performer on his feet. This act was replaced by Synchronized Tumbling in 2015.
  • Acrobatic Pas de Deux: Two lovers dance and perform acrobatic stunts, showing their love, trust, and respect for each other. This act was replaced by the rotational Aerial Hoop act.
  • Water Meteors: Three young acrobats perform an act using water meteors, spinning and juggling them. This act was replaced by Dance Trapeze.
  • Triple Trapeze: Four young women perform an act on a suspended Triple Trapeze. This act was taken out when the Arena tour started.
  • Aerial hoop: A solo artist flies over the stage on a hoop suspended in the air in an energetic feat of acrobatics. This was a backup act from 2004, and was taken out of the show in early 2013.
  • Juggling: An artist manipulates bowling pins, soccer balls, hats and ping-pong balls with his hands, feet, head and even his mouth. This act was removed in 2016.

Costumes

[edit]

Varekai's costume designer, Eiko Ishioka, set out to design the costumes to heighten the sense of risk and danger the artists face while performing their acts. The designs are an approach to give the traditional leotard a new shape. Eiko drew inspiration from the natural world: plant life, reptiles, land animals, marine life, wind, water, fire and wood.[2] While there are over 130 costumes in the entire collection, over 600 elements combine to make the entire wardrobe of costumes, shoes, hats, and accessories. During the tour it takes 250 hours a week to keep the costumes in a state usable for performance. This includes repairs, cleaning, pressing, repainting (shoes), ironing, and other related tasks.[1]

One of the primary materials used throughout the wardrobe is lycra, primarily for its ease of care, suppleness, and elasticity. Other materials used throughout include titanium rods, nylon sponge and other types of fire-retardant materials. La Toupie's costume, for example, is made from lycra, and the tentacles are made from polystyrene foam. In addition to textures and structures being created for the costumes, digital screen-printing was utilized for some pieces. The costumes for the Russian swing act were inspired by volcanic eruptions. Pictures were taken, scanned, processed and then digitally screen-printed to give the characters their bright red, explosive appearance. The foliage seen on the heads and backs of some characters is made from crinyl and cristalette, which are both extremely lightweight materials. Some of the translucent carapaces seen on some performers, including La Promise, are made from stretch netting mounted on a structure made of boning.[2]

Music

[edit]

The live music is performed by seven musicians and two singers. Composed by Violaine Corradi and directed by the bandleader/keyboard player, the music features many different genres and energies. Violaine combined the sounds of Hawaiian rituals, 11th-century French troubadour songs, traditional Armenian melodies and gospel music with contemporary arrangements to create the sound of Varekai. While some songs are quiet and sorrowful, others are more upbeat and exciting.[1][5]

Instruments used in the show include keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, violin, and various wind instruments. There are numerous instrumental solos, with the violin, flute, and accordion among the instruments heard. When these occur, the musician comes into view, still hidden in the trees but slightly visible to the audience.[5] The only cast/crew member to have performed every one of Varekai's 5,219 performances is drummer Paul James Bannerman (www.pauljbannerman.com).

There are two distinct voices in the musical score. Their role is to link the story together, sometimes predicting the future, at other times, propelling the story forward. The female singer called "The Muse" (currently played by Isabelle Corradi) and the male singer called the "Patriarch" (currently played by Jamieson Lindenburg) share the songs alternating between solos with harmonies and duos. The Muse, dressed in white and purple, and The Patriarch, dressed in purple and black, emerge from the forest throughout the show.

Album

[edit]

Returning from her work with Cirque du Soleil's Dralion, Violaine Corradi wrote the Varekai score, which was released as a CD album on January 7, 2003. Rather than creating a literal soundtrack, Cirque du Soleil collaborated with Nitin Sawhney to produce a CD with themes and sounds from Varekai but differently arranged. The CD features the vocals of the two original singers of Varekai, Zara Tellander and Mathieu Lavoie; the soundtrack also includes the vocals of world music artists Natacha Atlas and Tina Grace, who were not in the production. Many of the CD tracks are dramatically different from their live counterparts.

In late 2003 Cirque du Soleil created an 'Exclusive Premium Edition' CD, which featured the original CD as well as a bonus CD and DVD containing 6 live tracks, two remixes, and two music videos.

The revised album artwork of Varekai, 2013

Track listing:

  1. Aureus (Spoken Word, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  2. Rain One (Interlude, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  3. Le Rêveur (Solo on Crutches, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  4. Vocea (Aerial Net, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  5. Moon Licht (Handbalancing on Canes, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  6. Rubeus (Spoken Word, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  7. Patzivota (Setup to Russian Swing, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  8. El Péndulo (Aerial Straps, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  9. Gitans (Opening, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  10. Kèro Hiréyo
    • Triple Trapeze (2002 - 2013)
    • Aerial Hoop (2013)
    • Dance Trapeze (2014 - December 23, 2017)
  11. Infinitus (Spoken Word, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  12. Lubia Dobarstan
    • Water Meteors (2002 - 2013)
    • Batons (Rotation, 2013 - December 23, 2017)
  13. Emballa
    • Juggling (2002 - 2016)
    • Cyr Wheel (2016 - December 23, 2017)
  14. Oscillum (Russian Swing, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  15. Funambul (Cloud Interlude, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  16. Resolution (Not in Show)

Below are the live tracks, in order as they appear on the Exclusive Premium Edition bonus CD. Listed after each track title is the act associated with the track.

  1. Célébration de l'Errance (Opening Dance and Finale, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  2. Trasparenza
    • Acrobatic Pas de Deux (2002 - 2003)
    • Aerial Hoop (Rotation, 2004 - 2013)
  3. Euphoria
    • Icarian Games (2002 - 2015)
    • Synchronized Tumbling (2015 - December 23, 2017)
  4. Sun Drum Fun (Body Skating, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  5. Mutationis (Handbalancing on Canes, 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  6. Movimento (Georgian Dance, 2002 - December 23, 2017)

Below are songs not included on either album:

  1. Ne Me Quitte Pas (Clown Act 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  2. Las Vegas from Animal Magic (Clown Act 2002 - 2003)
  3. Interruptio (Betrothed kidnapping scene)
  4. Magique (Clown Act 2004 - 2007)
  5. Magique II (Clown Act 2008 - December 23, 2017)
  6. Mambo (Interlude 2002 - December 23, 2017)
  7. Lightbulb (Clown Act 2002 - December 23, 2017)

The bonus CD also contains two tracks that are remixed versions of "El Péndulo" and "Emballa". In addition, the DVD features two videos with nature and recording footage, set to the CD version of "Patzivota" and "Moon Licht".

Further information: Cirque du Soleil discography § Varekai

Vocalists

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Here is a list of all of the singers in Varekai, since its premiere in 2002.

Female Singers

  • Zara Tellander - From April 24, 2002 (Montréal) to July 11, 2004 (Denver)
  • Isabelle Corradi - From July 25, 2004 (Boston) to December 23, 2017 (Frisco)

Male Singers

  • Mathieu Lavoie - From April 24, 2002 (Montréal) to November 23, 2003 (Los Angeles)
  • Craig Jennings - From December 5, 2003 (Pomona) to May 8, 2016 (St. Petersburg)
  • Jamieson Lindenburg - From May 11, 2016 (Kazan) to December 23, 2017 (Frisco)

Filmography

[edit]

The experiences of the initial cast during the creation of the show were portrayed in the television series Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within (featured on the Bravo Network). Fire Within won the 2003 Emmy Award in the "Outstanding Non-Fiction Program" (Alternative) category.[1]

Cirque du Soleil released a film adaptation of Varekai on June 14, 2003, directed by Dominic Champagne and Nick Morris. The filming took place in Toronto during the show's tour and the vocalists in the filming were Zara Tellander and Mathieu Lavoie with Anton Tchelnokov as Icarus, Olga Pikhienko as La Promise/The Betrothed and John Gilkey as The Skywatcher.[6]

Tour

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Varekai completed its first North American tour in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on July 23, 2006. It debuted in Australia in August 2006 and arrived in New Zealand in early 2007. Later that year, Varekai finished its Australian tour in Perth, and moved on to its first European tour. At the end of 2007 the show had its European premiere in Antwerp, Belgium. It had its UK premiere in 2008 at London's Royal Albert Hall and again on 5 January 2010, marking the 25th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil.

Following the European tour that culminated in Barcelona as 2010 came to a close, the show toured to Taipei, Taiwan; Seoul, South Korea and Manila, Philippines in 2011. The Manila run was exceptional in that the show endured the monsoon season and several typhoons.

In the later half of 2011, Varekai landed in São Paulo and spent twelve months in Brazil before continuing to Argentina and Chile in 2013, and then Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico in 2013. Guadalajara followed by Mexico City were the final destinations for the Grand Chapiteau. Varekai had its last performance under the Grand Chapiteau on November 24, 2013.

The show then transferred to the Arena format in late 2013. The city that hosted the transformation was Bossier City, Louisiana, seen in public for the first time on December 12, 2013. After the transformation in Bossier City, Varekai played the Arena version at Centre Bell in Montreal just before Christmas in 2013, honouring the longstanding Cirque tradition of a winter show at the Centre Bell. After its 15-year run, Varekai closed in Frisco, Texas on 23 December 2017.

Varekai has been seen by more than 6 million spectators around the world, and has reached many milestones to accomplish this.[1]

  • 1000th performance in Dallas, Texas, in 2004
  • 1500th performance in Seattle, Washington, in 2006
  • 2000th performance in Perth, Australia, in 2007
  • 2500th performance in Seville, Spain, in February 2009
  • 3000th performance in Ostend, Belgium, in August 2010
  • 3500th performance in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in February 2012
  • 4000th performance in Mexico City, Mexico, in October 2013
  • 4500th performance in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in June 2015
  • 5000th performance in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in March 2017

Varekai has been to many different regions. Here is the list of all of them.

  • North American Tour - [2002 - 2006]
  • Australian Tour - [2006 - 2007]
  • European Tour - [2007 - 2011]
  • Asia & Pacific Tour - [2011]
  • South American Tour - [2011 - 2013]
  • North American Arena Tour - [2013 - 2015]
  • European Arena Tour - [2015 - October 2017]
  • Farewell Tour - [November - December 2017]

Since Varekai's premiere in 2002, it has had an extensive touring history, as detailed below.[7][8]

The following colorboxes indicate the region of each performance:  EU   Europe  NA   North America  SA   South and Central America  AP   Asia/Pacific  OC   Oceania  AF   Africa

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Varekai

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Varekai is a big top touring production created by , which premiered on April 24, 2002, in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. The show's title derives from the Romani word meaning "wherever," symbolizing an imaginary realm of endless possibility. Inspired by the Greek myth of , it follows a solitary young man who plummets from the heavens into a lush, volcanic forest teeming with eccentric, mythical creatures and acrobatic wonders. Directed by Dominic Champagne and with creation direction by Andrew Watson, Varekai features original music composed by Violaine Corradi, elaborate costumes designed by , and sets crafted by Stéphane Roy. by Nol van Genuchten and by François Bergeron enhance the immersive experience, blending aerial silks, handbalancing, , and clowning in a non-verbal, poetic . The production toured internationally for 15 years, concluding its run on December 23, 2017, after over 1,600 performances in more than 120 cities worldwide. Notable for its fusion of global circus traditions with contemporary artistry, Varekai showcased performers from over 20 countries, emphasizing themes of discovery, , and connection amid surreal landscapes. A special filmed in 2003 captured its essence, earning acclaim for innovative staging and emotional depth. Though retired as of 2025, Varekai remains a landmark in du Soleil's repertoire, influencing subsequent productions with its vibrant, dreamlike aesthetic.

Overview

Concept and Inspiration

Varekai re-imagines the Greek myth of , diverging from the traditional narrative where he perishes in the sea after his wax wings melt from flying too close to the sun; instead, Icarus plummets into a lush, volcanic forest, symbolizing themes of , resilience, and rebirth. This conceptual shift transforms the into a story of and discovery, where the protagonist's fall marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey rather than an end. The title Varekai, derived from the meaning "wherever," evokes the nomadic spirit of gypsies and universal wanderers, underscoring the show's exploration of an otherworldly realm unbound by place or convention. Director Dominic Champagne drew inspiration from circus traditions, the raw beauty of natural landscapes such as volcanic terrains and enchanted forests, and the profound connections between humans, crafting a that honors the questing and the artistry of . As Champagne described, the production "pays tribute to the nomadic , to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai." At its core, the storyline follows as he crashes into a fantastical world at the summit of a , surrounded by aerial-inspired creatures and surreal inhabitants that challenge his vulnerabilities and foster growth. This immersive tale blends emotional depth with physical feats, portraying encounters that highlight resilience amid absurdity and wonder, all within Cirque du Soleil's signature style of non-verbal, poetic storytelling.

Premiere and Development

Varekai was conceived during Cirque du Soleil's period of rapid expansion in the early , as the company sought to create new touring productions to complement its growing portfolio of resident and traveling shows. The project was first publicly announced on November 16, 2001, in , , with the show's name registered shortly thereafter on December 6, 2001. Development involved assembling a diverse creative team, including director Dominic Champagne, choreographer Michael Montanaro, set designer Stéphane Roy, and costume designer , who drew from theater, film, and circus traditions to craft a spectacle inspired by the Greek myth of . Rehearsals for the production began in early 2002, focusing on integrating acrobatic feats with a loose framework that reimagined Icarus's fall into a fantastical . Key challenges during creation included linking a variety of international acts—such as aerial silks, hand balancing, and —into a cohesive storyline while ensuring feasibility for the Grand Chapiteau tent's touring setup. The set design, featuring a vertical, forest-like structure suspended above the stage, required adaptations to balance visual with performer safety and mobility across global venues. drew from a worldwide pool, incorporating over 25 Olympic-level athletes and artists to embody the show's nomadic spirit. The production incorporated influences from Romani culture, reflected in its title—meaning "wherever" in the —and its thematic homage to the wandering essence of circus traditions. Early creative iterations emphasized this nomadic motif, evolving through collaborative refinements to blend mythological elements with high-energy . The world premiere took place on April 24, 2002, at the Grand Chapiteau on Jacques-Cartier Pier in , , , following preview performances starting April 14. This marked Varekai as a significant milestone in du Soleil's touring repertoire, launching a North American tour that extended into 2003 with engagements in cities like and New York.

Creative Elements

Set Design and Technical Features

The set design for Varekai, created by Stéphane Roy, evokes a lush volcanic through a collection of over 500 golden bamboo-like metallic poles, ranging from 15 to 35 feet in height and constructed from proprietary flexible and strong fibers to simulate a fantastical, otherworldly canopy. These elements form the core of the immersive environment, elevated walkways via a 150-foot catwalk built from the forest poles and attached to the tent's masts, and a 17-square-foot (1.6 m²) central lookout platform at the catwalk's end elevated above the audience to symbolize Icarus's descent and quest. The stage itself is a 42-foot-diameter golden clearing equipped with five traps, two turntables, and one elevating platform, providing modular flooring that creates illusions of volcanic terrain shifts during performances. Technical innovations in lighting, designed by Nol van Genuchten, incorporate 303 fixtures including ETC PARs, Lekos, and six Martin MAC 2000 moving heads, controlled via a Compulite Micron-4D/ME console for dynamic illumination of the forest motifs. enhances these effects through custom spherical displays, such as a floating internally projected with using Elumenati's HAL-X1 system to generate ambient forest visuals and interactive humor, blending seamlessly with the set to deepen the mythical atmosphere. The sound system, engineered by François Bergeron, introduces a pioneering inverted design— the first for —concentrating audio above the stage with self-powered Meyer Sound speakers including four CQ-1s, three CQ-2s, ten UPA-1Ps, and four PSW-2 subwoofers, enabling spatial immersion that envelops the volcanic forest theme without traditional under-stage diffusion. Adaptations for the Grand Chapiteau include a 165-foot-long tent structure seating over 2,600, with its PVC skin providing high acoustic reflectivity to support the spatial sound, and vertical masts enabling the elevated catwalk and aerial apparatus integration for acts reaching significant heights. Safety and engineering features, overseen by rigger Jaque Paquin in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil's technical team, encompass robust rigging systems on the masts for high-wire, trapeze, and aerial straps, supporting more than 50 performers through harness protocols and ground-assisted setups to ensure stability across the dynamic forest elements. These systems enhance the Icarus narrative by allowing safe simulation of falls and flights within the elevated structures.

Costumes and Visual Design

The costumes for Varekai were designed by , renowned for her bold and innovative work in theater and , resulting in over 600 handcrafted pieces—including costumes, shoes, wigs, hats, and accessories—that blend organic and mythical motifs drawn from forest creatures, plants, reptiles, animals, , and elemental forces like wind, water, fire, and wood. These designs emphasize timeless , avoiding fleeting fashion trends while prioritizing performers' safety and mobility. Ishioka employed lightweight, high-tech materials such as Lycra (moleskin), , flexible rods, sponge , stretch netting, boning, crinyl, and fire-resistant fabrics to support aerial feats and without hindering movement. Techniques like screen-printing for volcanic rock-inspired patterns and custom structuring—such as hollowed thighs or translucent carapaces—further integrate functionality with artistic expression. The color palette features vibrant, flamboyant tones that convey magic and mystery, aligning briefly with the show's volcanic forest setting through earthy and ethereal shifts. Costumes interact dynamically with lighting to amplify illusions and heighten perceived danger, accentuating artists' movements and evoking mythical elements like Icarus's wings in aerial sequences, all while ensuring actual safety. Throughout the tour, the wardrobe evolved through ongoing updates for durability, supported by a dedicated team of six wardrobe specialists who devoted approximately 250 hours weekly to cleaning, repairs, and maintenance, enabling seamless transitions that mirror the narrative's progression.

Performance Content

Acts and Choreography

Varekai's performance repertoire centers on a series of acrobatic and theatrical sequences that evoke the mythical fall of into a surreal , blending high-flying feats with grounded expressions of wonder and resilience. The , crafted by Michael Montanaro and Bill Shannon, integrates universal movements drawn from , , and mime to create fluid transitions that propel the forward without relying on spoken . These sequences emphasize precision and emotional depth, often merging individual solos with work to mirror the protagonist's journey of and discovery in an otherworldly realm. Among the core acts, the aerial straps duo stands out as a poetic opener, with two performers suspended by wrist straps executing synchronized spins, drops, and midair merges into striking silhouettes that symbolize Icarus's descent and rebirth. Handbalancing on canes follows, where a female artist perches atop a series of slender canes, showcasing extraordinary flexibility and poise as she shifts between precarious poses with balletic grace. The single-point trapeze act features another soloist performing fluid, contortionistic maneuvers high above the stage, twisting her body into impossible shapes that highlight strength intertwined with vulnerability. These aerial and balancing disciplines remain consistent throughout the show's run, providing rhythmic anchors amid variations for pacing. Ensemble numbers add dynamic energy, such as the Russian swings, where acrobats launch from towering platforms into somersaults and wrist catches, their arcs cutting through the tent's vast with audacious precision. Synchronized tumbling brings five performers onto an inflatable mat, fusing flips, rolls, and formations in a choreographed burst that evokes communal survival in the . The Georgian dance sequence infuses cultural endurance, with dancers executing sharp, rhythmic footwork and lifts inspired by traditional resistance motifs, blending folk precision with contemporary flair. Comedic interludes, like the clown duo's absurd antics in the sequence, inject levity through and , portraying bumbling guides who stumble into feats of unexpected agility. Later acts incorporate rarer disciplines for variety, including the Icarian Games introduced around 2005, where family teams—such as the Italian Bello brothers (Roni and Stiv) and Spanish Santos brothers (Javier, Pedro, and Ramon)—juggle each other headfirst using only their feet in a display of trust and timing rooted in ancient circus traditions. The sticks act involves a soloist manipulating batons in rapid twirls and tosses, weaving them seamlessly into dance steps for an illusion of . A solo on crutches portrays a puppet-like figure teetering across the stage, transforming into whimsical mobility through mime-infused . The slippery surface finale creates a skating-like frenzy, with performers sliding and piling atop a greased platform in chaotic yet controlled catches that culminate the evening's themes of adaptation. While some early elements rotated for safety and freshness—such as evolving high-risk sequences into more grounded ensembles—these acts maintained Varekai's signature fusion of spectacle and storytelling across its touring years.

Music Composition and Sound

The music for Varekai was primarily composed by Violaine Corradi, who crafted an original score blending diverse global influences to support the production's narrative of Icarus's fall and redemption. Drawing from traditions such as Hawaiian ritual chants, 11th-century French songs from , Armenian melodies, and elements, Corradi fused these with contemporary electronic rhythms and orchestral textures to create a dynamic auditory landscape that evokes the nomadic spirit central to the show's Romani-inspired theme. The resulting approximately 90-minute score underscores the emotional arc of the performance, lasting roughly the duration of the show's acts excluding intermission. Sound design for Varekai was handled by François Bergeron, who innovated an "inverted" audio approach by positioning self-powered speakers from throughout the venue to immerse audiences in a surround-sound environment tailored to the Grand Chapiteau tent's acoustics. This setup integrated a live seven-piece band—comprising a on keyboards, a second , drummer, percussionist, , violinist, and player—with pre-recorded tracks to enhance atmospheric effects, such as echoing and ethereal echoes that mirror the forest setting and Icarus's descent. The design emphasized the show's audio-oriented nature, blending percussion for rhythmic drive, strings via violin for melodic depth, and for airy motifs, while adapting seamlessly to later arena tours by adjusting speaker configurations for larger spaces. Thematic motifs in the score feature recurring melodies that trace Icarus's journey, evolving from tense, descending phrases symbolizing his fall to uplifting harmonies representing renewal and wandering. Romani-inspired rhythms, characterized by intricate percussion patterns and vocal harmonies from the two live singers (portraying The Patriarch and The Muse), infuse the music with a sense of and cultural fusion, paying homage to the gypsy of "wherever." Two interludes incorporate external compositions by —"Dream" and "Death" from the Arizona Dream soundtrack—to heighten dramatic tension during transitional moments, seamlessly woven into Corradi's framework without disrupting the live band's organic flow.

Production Team

Directors and Key Creators

Dominic Champagne served as the writer and director of Varekai, overseeing the narrative cohesion and integration of theatrical elements into the circus format. His vision reimagined the Greek myth of , transforming the tale of a fall from the sky into a story of rediscovery in a magical forest, emphasizing themes of nomadic spirit and human resilience. Champagne, a seasoned theater director known for adaptations like and , brought a dramatic structure to the production, blending storytelling with acrobatic sequences to create a cohesive 90-minute spectacle. The creative team included set designer Stéphane Roy, who crafted an immersive forest environment featuring over 300 stylized trees suspended from the tent's rigging to evoke a volcanic summit. Eiko Ishioka, an Academy Award winner, developed more than 600 garments requiring 33,000 hours of craftsmanship, drawing from global influences to outfit the performers in vibrant, ethereal attire that enhanced the mythical atmosphere. Lighting designer Nol van Genuchten utilized dynamic projections and color shifts to illuminate the stage, supporting the transitions between intimate character moments and grand aerial feats. Sound designer François Bergeron created the audio landscape, incorporating immersive elements to complement the non-verbal narrative. Choreographers Michael Montanaro and Bill Shannon contributed movement direction, fusing with circus disciplines like handbalancing and aerial silks to advance the plot. In production roles, , founder and executive producer of , guided the overall creative direction, ensuring alignment with the company's innovative since its in 1984. Composer Violaine Corradi scored the original music, incorporating diverse world sounds such as Armenian melodies and troubadour influences to underscore the emotional arc without a traditional soundtrack. Andrew Watson acted as director of creation, coordinating the interdisciplinary collaboration among artists, technicians, and performers. The collaborative process unfolded during 2001-2002, with Champagne leading workshops to adapt the legend into a circus context, emphasizing explosive fusions of , music, and acts like synchronized aerialists and icarian games. This development phase involved iterative rehearsals in , where the team refined the balance between mythological symbolism and accessible spectacle, culminating in the April 2002 premiere under the Grand Chapiteau.

Cast and Performers

Varekai featured an ensemble of approximately 50 performers and musicians per show, comprising over 30 acrobats from 19 countries, alongside actors and musicians who contributed to the production's nomadic and mythical atmosphere. This international cast reflected Cirque du Soleil's commitment to diverse talent, with performers showcasing specialized skills in areas such as and handbalancing. The ensemble's diversity extended to cultural influences, incorporating artists trained in traditional disciplines from regions including and , enhancing the show's global appeal. Among the notable talents, Russian acrobat Anton Chelnokov originated the role of , performing daring aerial sequences that embodied the character's fall and redemption. The clown duo provided through inventive routines; Steven served as the principal clown for over a decade, bringing and audience interaction to the production. Other standout performers included juggler Octavio Alegria, whose precise manipulations added rhythmic flair to the ensemble's dynamic energy. Cirque du Soleil's recruitment process prioritized international artists with elite training in circus arts, ensuring a blend of technical prowess and cultural authenticity in acts like synchronized tumbling and . To sustain performer health and inject freshness into the long-running tour, the company implemented regular cast rotations, with principal roles recast every 1-2 years via contracts typically lasting one to two years. This approach allowed for ongoing evolution while maintaining the show's high standards. Performers embodied the mythical characters through seamless integration of and narrative expression.

Tour and Performances

Overall, the tour encompassed 5,219 performances across 231 cities in 43 countries on 5 continents.

Grand Chapiteau Tour

Varekai's Grand Chapiteau tour presented the production under Cirque du Soleil's iconic blue-and-yellow big top tent, a format that emphasized the immersive, nomadic essence of traditional circus while incorporating contemporary artistry. Premiering on April 24, 2002, in Montreal, Quebec, the tour began with a North American focus and expanded globally, visiting over 150 cities across multiple continents by the end of its tent-based phase in 2013. The tour unfolded in distinct phases, starting with the initial North American leg from 2002 to 2004, which extended into 2006 with additional stops. This was followed by the Australian tour in 2006–2007, the European debut in , , at the end of 2007 (continuing through 2011), and concluding with and Latin American legs in 2011–2013. Attendance reached significant peaks during these years, such as over 6.5 million spectators across 64 cities in 18 countries by , with early highlights including a record-breaking 170,000 attendees in during its premiere run. Logistically, the tour required transporting the entire production via more than 55 trucks, including sets, costumes, and technical equipment, to support multi-week engagements in each city—often lasting up to 10 weeks for setup, performances, and teardown. Adaptations for diverse weather conditions were essential across over 40 countries, ensuring the big top's stability and performer safety in varying climates from temperate to tropical . Key milestones included surpassing 3,000 performances by , a testament to the show's enduring appeal during its tent era. Cultural adaptations, such as multilingual clown routines, allowed the production to connect with international audiences, enhancing its global resonance before transitioning to an arena format in 2013 for greater .

Arena Tour

In , Varekai began its transition to arena venues with a limited run at London's from January 5 to , aimed at improving cost by reducing the logistical demands of tent setups and enabling access to larger indoor audiences in major cities. This initial arena adaptation used modular staging compatible with existing arena rigging, allowing for streamlined installations compared to the Grand Chapiteau's multi-week assembly process. The full arena touring format launched in December 2013, following the completion of Varekai's Grand Chapiteau phase, to extend the show's reach to new markets exhausted by tent tours and to capitalize on faster turnarounds for broader geographic coverage. Adaptations included scaled-down set elements optimized for ceilings and floors, enhanced video projections to amplify the mythical forest atmosphere across expansive indoor spaces, and setups reduced to 1-2 days per venue using 18 semi-trucks and approximately 13 hours of active labor. These changes preserved core acts like aerial silks and handbalancing while accommodating capacities up to 10,000 spectators per performance. Key phases encompassed North American arena legs from 2013 to 2015, featuring stops at venues like in and in ; European returns in 2016, including and Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle; and international extensions through 2017, with farewell runs in over 20 cities such as Oncenter War Memorial Arena in Syracuse and in . This structure supported shorter engagements of 4-8 shows per city, prioritizing high-impact urban centers. The arena era concluded with Varekai's retirement on December 23, 2017, in , after 1,219 performances that drew over 2 million spectators worldwide. Building briefly on Grand Chapiteau foundations, this phase emphasized operational agility and audience expansion, marking the production's final evolution before its end.

Media and Legacy

Recordings and Film Adaptations

The for Varekai was released in 2003 by Musique in collaboration with BMG, featuring original compositions by Violaine Corradi and arrangements by . The standard edition includes 16 tracks blending influences with electronic and orchestral elements to evoke the show's mythical setting. A premium edition added a bonus CD with six live recordings from the show and two remixes, along with a DVD containing two video remixes, expanding the total to over 20 tracks across formats. In 2003, produced a titled Cirque du Soleil: Varekai, a TV special directed by Nick Morris and Dominic Champagne that captures a live performance from the show's early tour. Filmed in , , the 90-minute production aired as a Bravo network special on June 14, 2003, highlighting key acts like and handbalancing while preserving the ethereal choreography and narrative of Icarus's fall into a volcanic world. The special was released on DVD later that year by as part of 's home video series, featuring high-definition visuals, a DTS 5.1 , and a second disc with performer biographies and training segments. Additional media extensions include promotional videos and behind-the-scenes documentaries produced by from 2002 to 2017, such as timelapse stage setups and performer interviews that offer glimpses into rehearsal processes and act preparations. In , the company released a spotlight video recapping the show's 15-year run and its imaginative themes. These materials, distributed via official channels and compilations, help extend the live experience to global audiences beyond theatrical tours.

Reception and Retirement

Varekai garnered positive critical reception for its inventive reimagining of the myth through acrobatic storytelling and breathtaking aerial performances, though reviewers occasionally pointed to weaknesses in narrative cohesion. lauded the show's spectacular acts, such as the aerial bungee and hand-balancing routines, describing it as a vibrant that elevated traditional circus elements into artistic territory. Similarly, Variety highlighted standout performances like the duo and the explosive wedding finale, praising the production's technical prowess and visual splendor while noting its challenges in integrating a clear storyline amid the formula. The show and its associated media earned recognition, including two in 2003 for the documentary series Fire Within, which chronicled the creation of Varekai and won for best lifestyle or documentary program as well as best direction in a documentary series. These honors underscored the production's behind-the-scenes innovation and broad appeal within Canadian . Varekai resonated strongly with audiences, attracting over 6 million viewers across its global run and earning acclaim for its family-friendly blend of wonder, humor, and international artistry that fostered cultural connections through diverse performers from multiple countries. After 15 years on tour, Varekai retired in December 2017, concluding with its final performances in , amid du Soleil's shift toward newer productions; the extended run contributed to performer fatigue but cemented its status as a cornerstone of the company's touring legacy.

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