Cirque du Soleil: Varekai (TV 2003)

The Cirque du Soleil creation telling the story of Icarus, whose wings melt when he flies to close to the run, sending him crashing into the volcanic and mysterious world of Varekai.

Directors:

Dominic Champagne, Nick Morris

Stars:

John Gilkey, Octavio Alegria, Alexei Anikine

Cast

Credited cast:
John Gilkey	...	Skywatcher / La Vigie
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Octavio Alegria	...	Juggler
Alexei Anikine	...	Russian Swings
Kevin Atherton Laprise	...	Aerial Straps / Body Skating (as Kevin Atherton)
Andrew Atherton	...	Aerial Straps / Body Skating
Helen Ball	...	Triple Trapeze / Body Skating
Paul James Bannerman	...	Musician (Drummer) (as Paul Bannerman)
Roni Bello	...	Icarian Games
Stiv Bello	...	Icarian Games
Cinthia Beranek	...	Triple Trapeze / Body Skating
Vasyl Besha	...	Icarian games / Body Skating
Sergiy Bobrovnik	...	Russian Swings
Claudio Carnerio	...	Clown
Mooky Cornish	...	Clown
Michel Cyr	...	Bandleader / Keyboards

Storyline

Icarus is the main character of Varekai, who falls to the ground, breaking his legs as he does. He is suddenly in a strange, new world full of creatures he has never seen before. "Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered." Assisted by the strange and quirky La Vigie, he works on regaining his strength and finding his way, his desire being to fly again. While on the ground, he meets The Betrothed, an underground, insect-like creature who he falls in love with. The two have barely met when she is kidnapped. Having already lost his love, Icarus must also find a way to see her again and conquer the obstacles in his path, continuing his quest through Varekai.

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Plot Keywords:

cirque du soleil | acrobat | circus | tv special

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Genres:

Documentary | Family | Fantasy | Music

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed on the opening section of its world tour, Varekai features the performers seen in the documentary reality series Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within.

User Reviews

Best travelling circus in the world

Varekai is much more than just a circus, it tells a story.

There are no flaws in the performance, the acts were all done perfectly from the stunning hand balancing by Olga Pikhienko to the astonishing, gripping Icarian Dance.

Olga Pikhienko is the best performer in the show, the lead female vocalist Zara Tellander also has a spectacular voice (sung Varekai 831 times)

It isn't all perfect however, there will be parts that won't appeal to you but overall I think it will shock you. Not all the acts are brilliant and you can't expect that from anyone.

Throughout the show there are no let downs, the music is wonderful although the sound on the DVD does not capture the energy behind it.

The DVD does not quite capture the magic of seeing the show live. I have seen many Cirque du Soleil shows and Varekai is for me the best travelling show.

It's definitely a must see show.