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03 June 2011
Cirque du Soleil. The words conjure an endless cacophony of wonderful nonsense. Their latest offering, Totem, is nothing less than a masterpiece. I’ll admit to being completely and utterly awestruck by the acrobatic stunts, the brilliant acts of balance, the costume, the characters, the creatures, the sets… everything.
Elements of several major native populations were present in the music and overall dynamic of the show, which traversed the ages of man. I found several deliberate references to the struggle between man and nature. On more than one occasion, the show highlighted the imbalance between resources and consumption.
The notable characters were the anthropologist, the Italian and, my favorite, the crystal-man/lead monkey. The central set piece was a turtle carapace, which was lifted high into the air, tilted on its side or laid on the stage. At one point, the structure of the carapace is used as a trapeze.
At the risk of endlessly describing every bit of the show, I’ll just say that at my age, it is a rare treat to be thrown into a state of amazement and wonderment. Once again, this troupe of performing artists have proven that expressing the creativity of the human soul, as only they can do, is truly the last remaining form of high art.
Long may the Grand Chapiteau stand as a monument to our inner child.
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