Japan Podshow - The multimedia podcast all about JapanExclusive: Behind the curtain at the Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo
Submitted by japanpodshow on Thursday, 6 August 2009No Comment
Ever since they were children, Japan Podshow presenters George and Joseph had wanted to join a circus. Following months of clowning around in the Japan Podshow studio, in the summer of 2009 they were fortunate to be invited behind the curtain at the world-famous Cirque Du Soleil Theatre Tokyo (”Circus of the Sun” シルク・ドゥ・ソレイユ シアター東京.
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Cirque du Soleil
Founded in 1984, this incredible company [official site] now has 16 shows running around the world – in Las Vegas alone over 9,000 people witness the spectacle on a daily basis.
Zed
In the Autumn of 2008 Cirque Du Soleil’s first permanent show in Japan, Zed, opened to the public in a special purpose-built theatre next to Tokyo Disneyland [official site].
Hearing rave reviews from friends, George and Joseph realised that this was their chance to learn about what goes on behind the curtain at Cirque du Soleil Tokyo, and perhaps to even try out their routine in a bid to get into the show.
There are two versions of this video docucast: a 10 minute short, and the 20 minute director’s edition.
The 9min preview video
Designed for people who are impossibly busy, this video will give you an overview of George and Joseph’s adventure. This is the version that has been added to the podcast feed.
The Full story
Japan Podshow: Behind the curtain at the Cirque du Soleil Zed Theatre Tokyo from japanpodshow on Vimeo.
The full version of the documentary is for those who would like a real insight into the Cirque du Soleil Tokyo Theatre and includes
An interview with Gemma Segarra, Publicity Manager
who tells us about
- The history of the theatre
- The families of performers
- How she feels when she sees her friends walk the highwire
- If George jumped, would Joseph catch him?
Interview with a clown – Anatoli Akerman
Was Anatoli always destined to be a clown, or is he the black sheep of the family?
Is Joseph’s fear of him only to be expected?Interview with audience members after the show
How would you feel if you’d just seen the show?
Backstage in the wardrobe department
George and Joseph are presented with two very special costumes in which they will try out their new routine. Do they have what it takes to get in? Do we find out, or will we have to wait for the sequal?
George and Joseph would like to extend special thanks to Gemma Segarra, Anatoli Akerman, the wardobe department, the audience members gave their feedback, and all at Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo for making this possible.
