by Ricardo Baca
ãQuidam is magical!ä
Thatâs the response I heard from many friends who had seen the latest Cirque Du Soleil production before I had. Iâve heard it called everything from a theatrical circus to an honest-to-God spectacle.
All of these descriptions are accurate, but Cirque du Soleilâs amazing feats and skillful acts somehow seem more like a surreal, two-hour venture than a circus.
The acts are performed in a modern, cutting-edge style. Itâs hard to surprise the jaded audiences of today with innovative, never-before-seen acts, but Cirque du Soleil somehow manages to do so.
Quidamâs master of ceremonies is John Gilkey, who emcees the show in a comical way, reminiscent of old-school Jerry Lewis, or Martin Short doing Ed Grimley.
If you go, be sure to show up at least 10 minutes early, as Gilkey walks around the tent, playing and joking with audience members ÷ at times even kidnapping unsuspecting circus-goers.
The show starts with a headless giant, wearing a trenchcoat and carrying an umbrella. He enters the home of an ultra-boring, mundane family, but is only seen by the daughter. He quickly exits, dropping his hat. The daughter picks it up, which causes everything to turn inside out.
The parents, one reading the paper and the other crocheting, are lifted to the ceiling and disappear as the girl is joined by Quidamâs characters.
The most striking thing about the characters is their costumes. No two of them are alike.
The costumes, designed by Dominique Lemieux, are smashingly successful and wildly unique.
Many characters looked as if they had just walked out of a Salvador Dali painting. Others looked as if somebody had been experimenting, mixing and matching clothes from their transvestite dadâs closet.
The theme of the show is clear: different is good.
Favorite acts included Chris Lashuaâs ãGerman Wheel,ä and the diablo, where young Chinese girls manipulated spool-like objects, flipping them between taught strings.
The tumbling acts were also fascinating, where 100-pound girls were tossed across the stage as if they were just another juggling pin.
You may not understand all of Quidam, but youâll hopefully enjoy its grace and originality.
