Comments on: Corteo http://thingelstad.com/corteo/ Jamie Thingelstad's personal blog Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:44:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Isaac Johnson http://thingelstad.com/corteo/#comment-351 Isaac Johnson Mon, 14 Nov 2005 20:05:00 +0000 http://www2.thingelstad.com/index.php/2005/10/23/corteo/#comment-351 I just got back from Vegas where I saw Ka - I thought it was incredible, but it seemed to lack the acrobatic displays that Cirque is known for (like in Mystere and a few I've seen broadcast on TV). Ka focused more on the story this time around, with the acrobatic sequences mainly involving fights between "good" and "evil" characters. The two most striking performances to me: a scene where they did some very impressive shadowpuppets, and the final battle sequence. The whole performance felt like it was adapted from some grand RPG, and it was very cool to see it in live action. The characters used a made up language in this performance - which, after reading about Corteo's use of English, I was happy about. There was a brief narration at the very beginning of the performance in English that came over the sound system, but that was all. It served to set up the story, rather than tell it, so it didn't detract from the sense of wonder of the show. I think the 15 or so Japanese tourists sitting next to me in the theater appreciated it, too :) I just got back from Vegas where I saw Ka – I thought it was incredible, but it seemed to lack the acrobatic displays that Cirque is known for (like in Mystere and a few I’ve seen broadcast on TV). Ka focused more on the story this time around, with the acrobatic sequences mainly involving fights between "good" and "evil" characters. The two most striking performances to me: a scene where they did some very impressive shadowpuppets, and the final battle sequence. The whole performance felt like it was adapted from some grand RPG, and it was very cool to see it in live action.

The characters used a made up language in this performance – which, after reading about Corteo’s use of English, I was happy about. There was a brief narration at the very beginning of the performance in English that came over the sound system, but that was all. It served to set up the story, rather than tell it, so it didn’t detract from the sense of wonder of the show. I think the 15 or so Japanese tourists sitting next to me in the theater appreciated it, too :)

]]> By: John Riedl http://thingelstad.com/corteo/#comment-350 John Riedl Wed, 02 Nov 2005 15:48:00 +0000 http://www2.thingelstad.com/index.php/2005/10/23/corteo/#comment-350 I've never seen a Cirque production before, so I was an easier target ... but I loved Corteo. The acrobatics were amazing. To me the bouncing on the trampoline "beds" was remarkable. I agree with Jamie that the production did not really hold together as a powerful story -- but what a great show, anyway! John I’ve never seen a Cirque production before, so I was an easier target … but I loved Corteo. The acrobatics were amazing. To me the bouncing on the trampoline "beds" was remarkable. I agree with Jamie that the production did not really hold together as a powerful story — but what a great show, anyway!

John

]]> By: Joel Powell http://thingelstad.com/corteo/#comment-349 Joel Powell Tue, 25 Oct 2005 20:47:00 +0000 http://www2.thingelstad.com/index.php/2005/10/23/corteo/#comment-349 I also am a frequent Cirque 'freque' :-). I got a chance to check out Corteo just before I left town. I was a little disappointed. The 'teeterboard' act was not done well the night I was there. They had to restart a few times. They were off. I always like the little acts that they peform in the seats before the actual show starts. For example, in Corteo it was three clowns and a woman with an umbrella. I was wondering what the deal was with an umbrella, but soon found out. The clowns occasionally would burst into 'tears', the tears being a contraption that sprayed water (the tears) all over the patrons. At one point they cornered a poor guy who couldn't find his seat. By the time he did, he was drenched! I still have the music and images of Alegria stuck in my head, so that had much more impact on moi. I also am a frequent Cirque ‘freque’ :-). I got a chance to check out Corteo just before I left town. I was a little disappointed. The ‘teeterboard’ act was not done well the night I was there. They had to restart a few times. They were off.

I always like the little acts that they peform in the seats before the actual show starts. For example, in Corteo it was three clowns and a woman with an umbrella. I was wondering what the deal was with an umbrella, but soon found out. The clowns occasionally would burst into ‘tears’, the tears being a contraption that sprayed water (the tears) all over the patrons. At one point they cornered a poor guy who couldn’t find his seat. By the time he did, he was drenched!

I still have the music and images of Alegria stuck in my head, so that had much more impact on moi.

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