March 25, 2003

Varekai

Few reality series are as compelling as Bravo's Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within, which concluded its run on Monday and will begin its repeat cycle next week. That's because unlike all the fabricated reality we've been fed lately, this is truly real-- a serialized documentary of the creation of the Cirque du Soleil show, Varekai. The camera stays with a handful of the performers, some veterans, others neophytes, providing beguiling glimpses of life inside the colorful Cirque. We see them mold their acts, moving through triumphs and disappointments as the show develops. The story of Gareth and Ashley is particularly gripping, as they struggle to master Acadian acrobatics ahead of the onrushing deadline. The focus on the performers means a big part of the picture is out of frame. We gain little insight into Cirque owner Guy de Liberte. We don't get into the head of director Dominic Champagne, or see much of his creative process. Some of the best scenes involve the marketing sessions where the show's poster is developed, and I'd have liked to have seen more of the back-room machinations. I hope Bravo produces more series like this one, pulling back the curtain on the creative process.

But really-- are there no dentists in Montreal? What's up with Dominic's teeth? <shudder>

Posted by Peter at March 25, 2003 6:08 PM
Comments

THE FOCUS SEEMS TO BE MAINLY ON THIS GUY CRAWLING NEAR TO THE FLOOR LIKE OBSERVING EVERYTHING THAT'S going on around him...WHO IS THIS GUY???? and in the end him and the "handbalancing canes's girl " ,both like have this marrage act ..if you know what im talking about please tell me who is this guy? i think this girls name is olga piknienko.please let me know who this "observer" is. thanks

Posted by: CHRISTINA CARROLL on June 27, 2003 4:43 PM

The character to whom you're referring is Icarus. The whole story of Varekai is about Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and crashed to the Earth when the wax of his wings melted. We see him crash at the opening of the show, and then gradually regain his strength, fall in love, and marry. The performer who plays Icarus is Anton Chelnokov.

Posted by: Peter Sarrett on June 30, 2003 12:18 AM

i know anton had to practice real hard to get those stunts down, but how long did it take for him to get it down? and how tall is anton anyways? PLEASE ANSWER ME. I AM WONDERING!!!

Posted by: madison on December 30, 2003 5:26 PM

apparently he's around 6 ft tall... just stopping by.

Posted by: Rena on January 3, 2004 11:42 PM

i think anton is really talented and is soooo cute. do u know how much he wieghs and other information on him? i might see varekai again and will hopefully get to see him after the show if i get the passes to go. know his email?

Posted by: mandilynn on January 23, 2004 3:06 PM

i think anton is really talented and is soooo cute. do u know how much he wieghs and other information on him? i might see varekai again and will hopefully get to see him after the show if i get the passes to go. know his email?

Posted by: mandilynn on January 23, 2004 3:06 PM

I am going to catch varekai with my friend the day before my b-day. i wanted it to be the day before my b-day because i would like to ask anton a birthday favor he could do for me. Trust me after this favor i'll definetly post it here.
P.S. denise isn't my real name!!! BA BUM BAAAAAAA

Posted by: Denise on January 23, 2004 3:12 PM

man! that denise girl sounds really weird. i wonder what her b-day favor is. btw i am the friend she is refering to. i wonder if anton can visit me. oh well. i can keep dreaming. but hey, you never know. :)

Posted by: mandilynn on January 23, 2004 3:17 PM

Hey me again what ever you do do not listen to the to that crazy fool that thinks she's my friend . i don't even know her or is it a him that is gay so that is why he/she thinkd he's cute.personally i just think he ...... well anyways beware of mandilynn

Posted by: Denise on January 23, 2004 3:22 PM

oh my god!!! i am a girl. i am sitting next to denise right now. we are goofy and playing around. dont take our last mesage personally. trust me, i think anton is cute. that is my opinion. other ppl can think differently. i dont care. i am not crazy, (just a little hyper at the moment)

Posted by: mandilynn on January 23, 2004 3:27 PM

hey me from yesterday don't listen to that insane person. do you actually think that i'd be friends with that perso. she or he is a liar. anyways case you want to know my b-day is march 29. i wonder if he'll do the favor

Posted by: Denise on January 24, 2004 12:27 PM