Cirque du Soleil returns to Australia this year with its most acclaimed touring show, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities, premiering under their Signature Big Top on 2 October 2019 at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park.
Written and directed by Michel Laprise, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audience inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. In this realm set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, reality is quite relative indeed as our perception of it is utterly transformed.
KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities had its world premiere in Montréal April 2014 and since its debut, the critics have been raving across North America: “It is not to be missed on any account,” said Chris Jones in The Chicago Tribune. “KURIOS is the most enthralling, consistently over-the-top magical show Cirque du Soleil has sent our way in a long time,” raved Robert Hurwitt in The San Francisco Chronicle.
In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes. In his larger-than-life curio cabinet, the Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams await.
A collection of otherworldly characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters turn his world upside down with a touch of poetry and humor, his curios jump to life one by one before his very eyes.
KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities is Cirque du Soleil’s 35th production since 1984. The newest big top production to tour Australia arrives with a cast of 47 artists from 17 countries including world-class gymnasts, acrobats, contortionists, hand-puppeteers, yo-yo wizards, clowns, actors and musicians.
“Ever since my first visit to Australia nearly 15 years ago it has been one of my favourite places on earth,” said Michel Laprise, Director KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities. “I am thrilled that I can return through the spirit of KURIOS and I hope it will inspire and bring joy to everyone who enters into our special realm of reality under our big top.”
Michel Laprise worked in theatre for nine years as an actor, director and artistic director before joining Cirque du Soleil in 2000. At Cirque du Soleil, Michel spent five years as a talent scout before taking on, in 2006, the role of Special Events Designer.
In that capacity, he directed the large-scale performance event created for the launch of the Fiat Bravo in Italy (2007); the Cirque du Soleil performance event celebrating Quebec City’s 400th anniversary (2008); the opening show at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Russia (2009); the launch of Microsoft’s Kinect console at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo; and the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 FIBA International Basketball Federation World Championships in Istanbul.
In 2012, Michel collaborated with pop star Madonna, providing artistic direction for her performance at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show; he later went on to direct her MDNA tour. Michel cowrote and directed the VR movie Kurios: Inside the Box – which won the Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Interactive Media category.
KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities opens under the Big Top on 2 October 2019 Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park; before heading to Northshore Hamilton, Brisbane from 10 January; and Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne from 12 March 2020. Adelaide and Perth details to come.
Tickets for Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne go on sale Monday 18 March. Pre-sale waitlists for Adelaide and Perth also commence on Monday 18 March 2019. For more information, visit: www.cirquedusoleil.com for details.
Image: KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities – photo by © Martin Girard (shootstudio.ca) / Costumes: Philippe Guillotel