The countdown to OVO is on!
Who would have thought that relocating a cast of
butterflies, crickets, spiders, ants, scarab beetles, fireflies, fleas, a
ladybug and a blue fly would take a military-style international operation
worthy of a Mission Impossiblescript?
But these are no ordinary insects. They are the stunning
cast of the critically-acclaimed family-fun packed OVO by Cirque
du Soleil, set to have its Australian premiere in Brisbane on July 14 with
a limited season under the trademark blue-and-yellow Big Top at Northshore
Hamilton. (amazing images and cool interviews available on request!)
OVO finished playing in Portland, Oregon,
USA on Sunday. Before the 12-month Australian tour can commence, the cast,
crew, big top and its surrounding village must be transported all the way from
Portland to Brisbane.
“The Australian tour is the first time OVO has
traveled outside North America, and it’s a mammoth logistical operation, one
which is planned and managed internationally by Cirque du Soleil’s Tour
Logistics Department,” said OVO Production Operation
Manager Derrin Brown. The complex operational plan will ensure that the big
top, sets and costumes – some 1200 tons of equipment - are pulled down, packed
up and shipped to Australia in time for the first performance in Brisbane on
Saturday 14 July.
“Transport of the equipment takes place over a two month
period, which began in early May. Making co-ordination even more complicated is
the fact that equipment for the Australian tour is originating from different
countries – Canada, the UK and Germany, with the main portion coming from
Portland in the United States. The Portland equipment will sail to Australia
out of the Port of Seattle,” said Brown. “Approximately 78
containers will be transported, with all equipment travelling by boat.
“To ensure Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services
requirements are fully met, all the equipment – down to the ‘nails’ that hold
the tents down - must be washed before being placed in the
containers. It’s a huge operation, but all equipment should be safe
and sound in Brisbane by early July.”
Then there’s the cast and crew. Over 60 bicycles and 410
suitcases will be transported to help make Australia their home for the next
year. The cast of OVO features 54 performing artists
from 16 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of the
show is the stunning Flying Act in which a group of scarab beetles soar high
above the stage, from both edges to the middle landing on a platform. This
breathtaking act combines many circus disciplines: banquine, Russian swing and
swinging chair.
Since its world premiere in 2009, OVO has
visited more than 15 cities in Canada, United States and Mexico, delighting
over 2 million spectators. OVO, meaning “egg” in
Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming
with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for
love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.
Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over forty countries on six continents. Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - OVO - 2012/2013 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Brisbane - From July 14 2012, Northshore Hamilton
Sydney - From September 13 2012, Showring at The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Adelaide - From December 6 2012, Location to be advised
Melbourne - From January 17 2013, Melbourne Docklands
Perth - From April 14 2013, Langley Park
(Source: etravelblackboard.com)
