Well established after having been presented more than 1000 times in 24 different countries, the 42nd creation of the Cirque has once again demonstrated the effectiveness of the marriage of prowess on ice and in the air of skaters and acrobats. As if the circus company, founded 40 years ago in Baie-Saint-Paul, had naturally made our frozen national playground its own space of expression. That’s living your Nordicness!
Few places generate as much emotion as the icy surface of an arena and the troupe exploits it wonderfully in Crystal. Every corner of the space — from the ice to the ceiling — is used to showcase the talent of artist-athletes from seven different circus disciplines, in addition to skating. Everything is harmoniously completed by sophisticated projections and light effects, making the ice a spectacular canvas to tell the story of Crystal, an original and different young woman in search of identity and meaning.
A simple and effective narrative
The character will find her answers with the help of her alter ego on the other side of the ice mirror, in a magical universe where she is trapped until she is filled with answers. A story that is quite easy to understand, even for children. At around $100 a ticket, it’s still a significant detail.
We were still a little hot, because the start was rather timid. Although the mostly family crowd seemed delighted with the presentation, applauding with warmth and vigor, it was not until the third table that a clown juggling at lightning speed woke up the stands. Another clown who is very skilled on his blades – and a little less mechanically – will take over in a very effective number that is both funny and moving where he falls in love… with a ball of light.
But the production really takes off – it’s fair to say – in the penultimate number of this first part with a trapeze artist whose prowess makes you dizzy and also a few good sweats. She is accompanied by the soft and calm voice of Ariane Moffatt in her wonderful rereading of Chandelier of Sia.
A human ball machine by Kurt Browning
Until then, skating enthusiasts have remained hungry. After all, with world champion of Canadian origin Kurt Browning choreographing this creation imagined by Shana Carroll and Sébastien Soldevila, it’s normal to hope for a good dose of sliding!
The choreography which combines hockey, acrobatics, ramps and high aerobatics to transform the arena into a giant boule machine is certainly one of the signature numbers of this show. (Olivier Brajon/Cirque du Soleil)
The number that would follow and send us to the intermission would quench this thirst. A choreography that mixes hockey, acrobatics, ramps and high aerobatics to transform the arena into a giant boule machine. Difficult to describe, but imagine that Red Bull Crashed Ice had decided to conspire with X Games snowboard cross to invade the narrow home of their cousin, hockey! Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the signature numbers of the show.
Another highlight of the evening was revealed when a duo of artists chose to mix aerial straps and slides to the sound of Gabrielle Shonk’s version of Halo by Beyoncé. An impeccable performance, both graceful and remarkable athletic power.
Chinese poles and swings on ice (?!)
Let us also highlight the tour de force of presenting a whole number of Chinese poles and swings in the heart of the ice. Dynamic as can be. As for the impressive balancing act on a dizzying tower of chairs, its more static nature and perhaps less suited to an arena, a place that calls more for action.
Lovers of figure skating will ultimately be well-watered in this creation, particularly in a painting where four couples multiply the spectacular lifts and figures. (Olivier Brajon/Cirque du Soleil)
That said, figure skating lovers are ultimately well-watered, thanks in particular to two paintings in particular. A more comical one where the athletes compete against each other in a series of elements, while a large, very arched eagle wins over a failed triple axel. The other is more “emotional” — to quote Alain Goldberg again — where four couples follow each other in lifts, each more elaborate than the other, to bring us slowly towards the end of the story.
Crystal thus eloquently demonstrates that, no matter if they are blended with your favorite spirits or the most impressive disciplines, the best cocktails are always served on ice!
Crystal is presented until Sunday at the Videotron Center.
