Following its critically acclaimed season in Sydney, Cirque du Soleil is making its long-awaited return of its trademark blue-and-yellow big top to Melbourne with the awe-inspiring production, TOTEM – a fascinating journey into the evolution of mankind.
Since its World Premiere in 2010, more than 3 million people across 25 cities worldwide have been mesmerized by the intimacy and beauty of TOTEM. Winner of the 2013 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, TOTEM features a cast of 45 acrobats, actors, musicians and singers, and is an uplifting array of athleticism, comedy, heartfelt emotions and surprising visual effects.
Written and directed by multi-disciplinary artist Robert Lepage, TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations.
Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend, TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential.
This is the first time that Cirque du Soleil has performed at Flemington Racecourse, an iconic Melbourne site that is synonymous with special event entertainment. The big top is located adjacent to the race track with ample on-site car parking as well as access by tram, bus and taxi.
Cirque du Soleil’s Melbourne season of TOTEM opens on Wednesday 21 January and play until 29 March before touring nationally – Brisbane (from 10 April 2015), Adelaide (from 11 June 2015) and Perth (from 31 July 2015).
For more information, visit: www.cirquedusoleil.com for details, or checkout the preview below.
Image: High Bars Carapace – costumes: Kym Barrett © 2010 Cirque du Soleil / OSA Images