Theatre Review: Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai”
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – APRIL 24, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai”, a Romanian word meaning “wherever,” is at the Maverick Center and offers just a little something for everyone.
“Varekai”, a Romanian word meaning “wherever,” is based on the story of Icarus, a Greek myth about a young man who flies too close to the sun and falls down to earth after his wings melt. What makes this story unique is the way in which the largest theater producer in the world changes the way the story unfolds.
Cirque du Soleil has captivatingly recreated the story and in their version, Icarus doesn’t die but instead lands far into a forest at the top of a volcano. This new land, called Varekai, is full of mythical creatures and mysterious wonder. It is where Icarus begins a journey of self awareness and growth and endurance through struggle.
When he falls to this new land, he is unable to walk. The various creatures swarm around him and throughout the show, each play a role in his learning to stand on his own two feet; both in the physical sense and as a symbol of the fight for him to take a stance against anyone wishing him ill fate.
As the story unfolds, he falls in love with LaPromise who is exotic, enchanting and mystical. She captures Icarus’ curiosity with her sensual beauty. She becomes his guiding light into this new world and he becomes her catalyst for her metamorphosis.
The costumes, designed by the late Eiko Ishioka, were what makes each character unique and vibrant. They were designed perfectly for each role and allowed them to both look the part and perform the acts that seem extraordinarily difficult.
Varekai has a much more theatrical feeling than I had originally expected and it was very humorous. It teases your imagination and leaves you feeling high-spirited and blissful. The awe- inspiring high flying acts were captivating with their incredible stunts and acrobatics.
The show was full of color, wonder and amazing acts. The artists, who come from various parts of the world, are very talented and skilled. And surprisingly enough they are all gracefully whimsical. So much it allows you to fall in love with their innocently wondrous characters and cheer them on as they find their way through their own journey.
There were a few stagnant parts of the show, but they are few and far between. My guess is they were moments costume changes were taking place, but once the show picks back up, the energy levels rise and the moments that felt a little stationary are long gone.
There are five more performances beginning tonight Friday, April 24 and going through Sunday April 26 at the Maverick Center in West Valley City.
