SHOW INFO >> ACTS >> MYSTÈRE
Opening - [Overture/Ramsani] - As can be heard from many of those who have lived Mystere, the show
begins with a shot... or should I say by the pound of a drum. Only momentsbefore we were informed by a man and his loud mouth companion that there
was to be no smoking in the theater when he announced the coming of "MYSTERE!". And then, it happened. Four small Taiko drums descend from the ceiling all
around the second tier of the theater while a massive Taiko drum appears suspended in mid air directly in the center of the stage. The drums call to
those who inhabit these desert mountains... and they come out and play. And play... and play! There is one in particular that catches our eye - a baby;
and he's amusing himself with a big red ball! He giggles as he bounces itaround stage, but his oversize nature is not a laughing matter. For when the
ball comes loose landing on an unsuspecting spectator - be warned - prepare to take on more than the roundness of the red monster. Prepare
to become the parent of a very large baby!
Aerial Cube - [Misha] - The intro gives way to "Misha", the song that accompanies the artist
performing with the Aerial Cube. Perfected by Mikhail Matorin while in Russia, his artistry was shown within this program for many years until finally taken
over by Paul Bowler. (Paul Bowler learned well and performed the act for Cirque's 1994 touring production Alegria). What he can do with this cube is
amazing - Taking this enormous metal cube in his hands, the man juggles it, flips it and otherwise amazes the audience with the feats he's able to accomplish
with only his two hands keeping the cube and the audience separated. And when it
glows in the after light of the theater, you can't fight back the chills any longer.
Hand to Hand - [Ulysse] - One of the most amazing feats of strength I think I
have ever seen. The Lorador brothers, Marco and Paulo, are veterans of Saltimbanco, Cirque's 1992-1994 touring show, and they show us a
great act of stamina. Performed to "Urgence", these brothers match their fusion of skin and hand right before your eyes while they
rotate on a dome! These guys have to be seen to be believed! Actually, in the past, the act was performed by the man-woman duo seenlater in Quidam.
Chinese Poles - [Egypte/Rondo/Double Face] - Chinese arts meets Cirque du Soleil. This act features one ofthe most bizarre entrances of characters ever seen. In Saltimbanco,
where this act was also featured, a colorful troupe slithers acrossthe stage. For Mystere, a collection mystical figures descend from
the ceiling hanging onto poles as "Egypte" plays throughout the theater. But these creatures are not facing us... or are they? With
their doublefaces abound, each one begins to move to the beat of "Rondo", one by one, and begin their climb up the four Chinese
poles in the center of the stage. Now, very much like Saltimbanco, the men and women of this troupe jump, swing and fall their way into your
hearts as they perform such depth defying acts of gravity defiance and show why strength and balance is a must.
Bungee - [Kalimando and Kunya Sobe] - Another fantastic act first seen in Saltimbanco, the Bungeeperformance melds grace and music. Starting off with"Kalimando", the
act begins slowly while dancers dance gracefully on stage. But then,"Kunya
Sobe" kicks off the celebration and the six female artists flip and fly throughout the upper part of the theater. Their bodies
streak by - helped by the wonderful costumes by Dominique Lemieux - and you cannot help but watch in wonder. It is truly a ballet without gravity.
Trampoline/Fast Track/Korean Plank - [En Ville/Frisco] - Three very wonderful performances all rolled into one. Set
to the "En Ville/Frisco" combination on the soundtrack, this performance will definitely liven things up. The Korean Plank appears nothing more
than what it sounds: a plank. But what Cirque du Soleil can do with this is amazing. First seen really in Le Cirque Reinvente, and again in Nouvelle
Experience, for Mystere, colorfully dressed artists are able to gain great heights by using this contraption. Using it like a see-saw, aerial flips are abound! The Trampoline is no second billing. A unique style is seen here. A "U" shaped apparatus is used allowing the artists not only to use
the trampoline as a normal structure, but bounce back and forth and create all sorts of chaos! And when they're done bouncing around - they turn to
show you their prowess by somersaulting on stage!
High Bar - [High Bar] - The high bar signals the end for Mystere. The only thing I can say
here is think of a normal high bar routine and "Kick it up a notch" because that is what you have here. Fourteen performers represent many nationalitiesin this act and despite their differences, they are flawless. Their bodiesfly through the air and all you can do is sit and stare at it all in awe.This act was also seen in the original touring production of Alegria.
Taiko - [Taiko] - Pierre Dube uses the Japanese drums to his advantage. They capture your
attention in the opening of Mystere and they will do so again when the stage fills with drums for its closing number. Again, as many elements of
Mystere, the Taiko drum was first used in Saltimbanco only to be elevated to such fine art here. The drums are arguably the best thing about the show,
even if it signals its ending! Consequently, the vibrations from the drums resonate throughout the Treasure Island Casino-Hotel and sometimes... set off
the alarms in the shops! Thankfully, these fine instruments can be heard on the Mystere Live CD.
Finale - [ Finale] - With Nouvelle Experience, we are treated to a rebirth of our sales-man
clown. In <<O>>, a balloon touches down and the wind blows its way across the
stage, forever closing off the world of the aquatic to us. For La Nouba, a marriage
ceremony is performed... but for Mystere - the most bizarre thing occurs - a snail
bids us fair well. Our journey ends with our cast of characters bidding their goodbyes to us and it's sad to see them go. As mysterious as they were, the festival
they brought to us has ended and with it, their light dimmed. But we must go now...
empty yet full and remain so until these creatures once again converge on the stage
and the story of Mystere is performed again!