Wallmans

During my latest travels through Europe I had the wonderful opportunity of seeing a dinner variete in Copenhagen. I've been to a number of different variete theatres in Germany, from the very traditional to the more contemporary. But I've never been to a variete in Scandinavia, and certainly never to see a show that lasted 4 1/2 hours.

That's right, 4 1/2 hours. Wallmans is a dinner show and between each number a different course of the meal is served. And seeing as I opted out of the 120 euro meal (though I could have had the special 'friend rate' of only 60 euro) it made for a rather long evening. Lucky for me, the show was a lot of fun! But before I get to that, I want to talk a little about the space.

Wallmans Copenhagen is located in a permanent circus space (Cirkusbygningen) built between 1885 and 1886 next to the Tivoli amusement park. It was inaugurated on May 8th 1886 by the king of German circus, Ernst Jakob Renz. In March of 1914 a considerable amount of the circus was destroyed by fire, and in 1988 it was declared a protected historic site. [source]

Inside you can still see many of the attributes of its glory days of circus. The main storage area is the former stables and I'm told that there is a passage way in the floor leading to the basement where the sea lions were kept!

And inside? Well... Let's just say that if you're going to spend 4 1/2 hours at a show, things could be worse.

 

The show currently being performed is called Biz. The main focus of the show is music with a bit of dance and circus thrown in for good measure. But with six singers (three men, three women) it's pretty clear who the main stars are.

I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by Biz. As I mentioned earlier, I've seen a lot of varietes, but Wallamans seemed to have a level of professionalism that was truly above and beyond. Why beyond? Of course everyone in the cast was excellent and clearly there was a lot of money invested in the decor and costumes. But it was the attention to detail and creativity that really got me. I feel like many shows of this nature are meant to be popular and don't really try anything too daring or innovative. But Biz? There was a burlesque scene complete with ostrich plume fans. A scene that seemed a Mad Hatter's tea party meets love story, meets the mending of a broken heart (beautiful). Then there was the tribute to Nirvana with kids in detention smashing desks. And of course the hommage to hit movie musicals of days gone by. Tie it all together with the men singing Lady Gaga, and a mash up of the Beatles done in the style of the Supremes (the Beatelles, and surprisingly amazing) and you have one hell of a show.

The immensely talented Kimmo Hietanen

And if all that isn't enough, the theatre goes the extra mile in making the audience feel special by having the artists visit tables between numbers, and announcing birthdays and anniversaries.

If ever you're in Copenhagen and feel like treating yourself, I say go to Wallamans! And if you feel like treating yourself in general, go to Copenhagen. It's a great city.

I have no idea what this means, but you've

got it Copenhagen!

Sunday Showreel

You know what's great on a lazy Sunday afternoon? Watching a movie. And remember how last week I talked about the 1956 classic Trapeze? Well I've been thinking about it ever since. And seeing as Sundays and movies go so well together, and Trapeze really is a film every circus fan should see, I though the best thing I could do on day such as today is bring Trapeze to you.

Now sit back, and enjoy the show!

Huh

I was just invited to Cirque Eloize's Annual Lobster Dinner. It's to be held at a mystery location.

I didn't realize they had an annual lobster dinner.

I don't know if I feel honoured to be invited, or sad that I was never privy to its existence until now.

At any rate, I won't be in town and don't eat seafood.

In summation, I'm going to go with feeling honoured.

And a quick post script to Cirque Eloize: You guys hold annual lobster dinners at secret locations? That is RAD.

Pitt

Source

iD - The Circus Goes to the City

During my last stay in Paris I had the good fortune to see Cirque Eloize's latest show, iD. It's difficult to know where to start with a show like iD. Following Nomade, Rain, and Nebbia, iD really does come as kind of a slap in the face. And I mean that in a good way.

I had come to expect a certain esthetic from Eloize, especially after the aforementioned shows. Seeing as the last three shows are considered a trilogy (the Sky Trilogy), it comes as a bit of a shock to see something so different. But I must say, I have nothing but respect for Eloize when it comes to iD. While the overall Universe of the show may not be my up of tea (more on that in a moment), the fact that Eloize dared to do something so radically different from a formula that has proven to be quite profitable, seems almost unheard of. I can think of a number of companies, the one I work for included, that seem to simply repackage the same show time and time again. It was a risk, and I applaud them for taking it. That being said, I didn't really care for the show. Not because it was bad, it just wasn't really to my taste.

iD is a very urban show. The decor is quite basic and elaborate lighting projections are used to create the different environments. The effect is really cool, though sometimes a little over the top. During the juggling act, for example, many bouncing balls are projected on to the decor and it's a little too much to take in. And I really do question the choice of having the weird voyage through space during the cyr wheel act.

The pacing is great and the audience is never bored. Like most Eloize shows that I've seen, there is an impressive amount of circus. Yes, the story is a bit thin, but the show still manages to create an emotional connection with the audience. And frankly, sometimes it's just really good to see a circus show where the focus is on circus and not artistic bits of fluff.

While I may not have cared for the overall feel of the show, there are many, many great moments. The relationship between the contortionist and the B-boy, the straps act that plays like a street fight between an aerialist and an acrobat, and the duet of tissu and rollerblader come to mind. And it was great to see some disciplines that don't get much attention, like BMX.

There were some parts that were hard to buy into. The artists in the show aren't all that credible as being 'street', not that I could do any better. There were a few acts that were a bit on the weak side (hoop, cyr wheel), and considering how important a role hip-hop dance plays in the show, I was surprised by how sloppy the dancing was. It didn't hit hard enough for me and seemed a little tired. Which may well have been the case.

The show did leave me with a few questions. There are some characters that simply disappear for extended periods of time. The hand to hand porter was in the first number of the show and didn't reappear until after intermission! And I really would have liked to see more women on stage. I don't recall exactly as I saw the show a month ago, but I think it was something like four women and ten men. Where did these people go? Why aren't there more women?

Finally, no review of this show would be complete without mention of the trampo-wall act. Hot. Damn. It is worth seeing this show simply for that number.

There's the main wall, two walls on either side, a middle wall that crosses the trampoline mid-way through the act, plus platforms that appear and disappear throughout. The act is fast paced and fun, impressive, and just plain dazzling.

iD may not be my favourite show, but if urban is more your style than poetic nostalgia, or if you want to see something a little different, then I'd definitely recommend seeing this show.

End of the Lull

After almost a month of neglect (save for some pre-scheduled posts), I am back! A lot has happened in that time, and while I am utterly exhausted, I hope to find the mental fortitude to get back to writing soon. Like I said, a lot has happened so I have plenty to write about!

Be sure to check back soon for more circus news and adventures!

World Circus Day is Here Again!

It's World Circus Day! If you've found your way to my blog today, you're already off to a good start! Last year I suggested all kinds of ways to celebrate. And while I still think the best possible way to celebrate would be to attend an event near you, a close second would be to cozy up with a circus inspired film! I've featured a couple so far this month and would like to add the 1956 classic Trapeze to the list of films every circus fan should see.

But because today is a special day, I have a special surprise for you! If you don't have the time or energy to find a circus film to view, look no further. Today, for your viewing and circus pleasure, I present Charlie Chaplin's The Circus!

The next seven parts are after the jump. Enjoy!

Ultimate Unicycle

I believe my reaction to this consisted mainly of "Whaaaaat?!"

Swedish Spec

It's cool, I'm with the band. - Malmo, Sweden

It's That Time Again...

Ladies and gents, World Circus Day is almost upon us. April 21st 2012 will be the third annual installment of this international ode to circus. But if you paid any attention to the picture at left, you already knew that.

I think it's a lot of fun that there's a day once a year where we take a moment to reflect on the awesomness that is the circus. So whether you don floppy shoes and a spray flower, walk around the block on your hands, or simply take in a show (be it live or on film), make April 21st a day to remember. Be sure to check back here on the 21st! Because in honour of World Circus Day, I have a surprise in store for you!

If Only They Were All Good

Meanwhile...

First Position

Could it be? A dance movie that actually shows the world of dance as it really is?

I'm very excited to see this!

Armful of Awesome

Words cannot express how much I love this picture.

In the Interest of History, StripTrapeze

I don't remember where I heard it, but somewhere along the line I picked up the tall tale that the trapeze started out as some kind of prop in places of ill repute, if you catch my drift. As much as I doubt the truthfulness behind that origin story, there's no denying that such tales are a part of the trapeze's history.

Ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure, strip trapeze circa 1901!

For those who are interested, this is what I found concerning the origin of the trapeze:

The slack rope was the first of the aerial acts. Through the iconography contained in newspaper advertising material we can date the American introduction of the single trapeze to the season of 1856. In that year, two circuses had such acts. Sands, Nathans & Co. had Denzer and Bliss; Flagg & Aymar featured Henry Harris. These men did acrobatics while hanging from the still bar. However, there is record of English performers hanging beneath hot air balloons as early as 1851. In a tented circus the still bar was usually suspended from a spar that jutted out from the center pole. Lacking the impetus provided by swinging, these artists treated the bar much as the horizontal bar was used in later years. As might be expected, their actions were overshadowed by the higher, swinging feats performed on the slack rope. Eventually, the trapeze came to be used as a swing itself. We first find it referred to as the "flying trapeze" in 1864 on the Tom King Circus. The origin of the flying trapeze, but not of its name, lies with Jules Leotard in Paris in 1859. Early trapezes were hung only fifteen feet from the ground. With the adoption of swinging they were suspended at ceiling height. It was then that the flying trapeze began to supplant standing riding as the favorite act of spectators. [Source]

Not 8.6, but 86

There are days when I finish a show and feel a little stiffer than I can ever remember feeling. Or times when I am stretching and my hips really don't seem to agree that I should be making them do what I am making them do. And there are definitely mornings where I wake and think "So this is what the onset of arthritis must feel like."

Then I see videos like the one below and mumble something about something and keep my mouth shut.

I would like you to meet Johanna Quaas. Basically, she's about to put you to shame.

Quaas competed in Germany's Cottbus Challenger Cup and dominated on the parallel bars and floor

What have you done today?

Ladybugs, and Gentlemites, Bugs and Grubs, Cicadas of All Ages!

A friend of mine has a series of clown acts about insects and I can't help but think of him when I see this! Here's to you, R!

Amaluna - A Little Bit of Background

I wanted to post this yesterday with the other Amaluna posts, but between taking advantage of my last day in Copenhagen and getting ready for the voyage to Berlin, I didn't have the chance.

The following is an interview with Amaluna director Diane Paulus. I like how she says that the idea behind this female-centric show wasn't so much about women's issues as it is about showcasing strong female characters and a matriarchal society. By doing that, I think, you still ultimately touch upon women's issues, but in a way that isn't preachy or pedagogical.

Also, I love how the hoop artist character of Prospera is portrayed by an older acrobat, and that the women you see in this video all look so strong and powerful.

But enough about what I think. See for yourself!

UPDATE - From the Montreal Gazette:

"The upcoming Cirque du Soleil production Amaluna will be a love story inspired by Greek mythology, Amazonian warrior women and Shakespeare, featuring 70 per cent female performers.

The story, modelled after Shakespeare's final play, The Tempest, tracks the romance between a shaman queen's daughter and a prince, on a remote island called Amaluna. Paulus, who has been working on the show for two years, said it will be an 'homage to women.' "

More Amaluna

Amaluna Preview

The first images of Cirque du Soleil's latest show, Amaluna, are out and it looks really awesome. This is a show where women rule. I'm loving the fierce tribal woman vibe that the pictures convey. And the role of women in circus has been on my mind quite a lot as of late, so I'm very curious to see if they've done the subject justice, or if it will be just another first degree, grrl power look at femininity.

For more photos, go here.

How Do I Get Here?

I have no idea where this is, I just randomly found this image on an image sharing website. All I know is that I want to go here. I want to go here right now.