It’s been a hectic work week – long and exhausting and I’ve mothering duties awaiting me but yet, I just had to draft this post. Tight deadline? No. Well, simply put, we’re spellbound.
Cavalia’s 1st Asian Tour – Singapore! |
We’ve watched our lion’s share of world-class performances ranging from local productions to West End and Broadway musicals – all critically acclaimed and excellent in their own rights (some even award-winning). Yet, I’ve never seen anything quite like ‘Cavalia’. This is truly a show like no other. Hailing from the same creative origins as Cirque du Soleil, Cavalia (the world’s biggest touring show in its 10th anniversary), marries precision equestrian acts with dazzling acrobatic stunts. Some reviews generalized it as Cirque with Horses but it’s more.
Be prepared to be mesmerized right from the get-go. Not from any loud thumping music, fanciful pyrotechnics or melodramatic acting. No, none of those. The magic comes from the subtle interactions of the performers and the “cast” of 50 horses – all fine bred, handsome stallions, with flowing well-groomed mane which will make any shampoo model green with envy. This, as well as the well-choreographed stunts and acrobatic displays that left us gasping. There is also a 5-member live band delivering rhythmic Arabic and Mddle-Eastern grooves that lend that exotic flavor and suspense to the show.
Picture Credit: ST Photo |
Cavalia’s tour in Singapore also includes their trademark 150-feet stage filled with 2,500 tons of sand, designed to allow the horses free reign to run full speed across and back. On this note, it is such a rarity in most urban countries, let alone Singapore – to see a herd of horses galloping (I can’t imagine typing this word!) freely. Immensely majestic and liberating! Audience will also be enthralled by the high-definition 60 meter-wide screen that serves as the backdrop where special effects are projected across the wrap-around cyclorama. We are amazed to discover that Cavalia uses a total of 20 projectors as powerful as those illuminating the grandest movie theaters to allow the audience to be immersed into dream-like environments: from the Appalachian Alps to tropical forest; from surreal ancient cavernous caves to mystical galaxies, surpassing the visual enjoyment offered even by 3D Imax films.
The final act (spoiler alert!) with the long-haired, chiseled riders in their long flowing robes riding across lush green plains and traversing the magical lake (filled magically right before our eyes with 120,000 liters of water on stage!) transported us to the ethereal Tolkien world of Legolas, the Elf. Then there’s the special bond between animal and man. There are just a few creatures that share that close relationship with mankind. Dogs, cats (actually, the jury is still out on this one) and certainly horses. At Cavalia, we get to see the intimate bond of trainers, riders and their horses which respond to their master’s subtle commands and gestures in synchrony. It was special.
There’s something magical about a big white top (tent) which conjure up that sense of wonderment and child-likeness in each of us. The ones erected for Cavalia, right next to Marina Bay Sands against our beautiful skyline peaks at 35 meters, and is equivalent to a 10-storey building! Throughout the 2.5 hour show, the audience was spellbound act after act, by the the graceful aerialists, the exhilarating trick riding and dare-devil acrobatic stunts. Our 6 year-old Dana stood throughout the performance, totally enthralled and captivated, with eyes wide opened. I’m glad we could share this unique experience as a family, it will be something we will remember for some time to come. The audience gave a rousing standing ovation at the curtain call, in reciprocity to THE MOST spectacular performance we’ve ever seen this part of the world.
Fresh from their run in Brussels (Belgium) and en route to Seoul, Korea, this is Cavalia’s first Asian stop. The Singapore tour starts 12 August and will end on 14 September 2014. Cavalia is a spellbinding, never-before-seen theatrical experience (the photos do it little justice). The greatest cost of the show…is missing it.
Cavalia’s Big White Top at MBS! |
Tips to Survive Cavalia:
1) Getting there
Commuting: You can take an MRT from anywhere in Singapore to Bayfront station. From there, follow directions to MBS (Marina Bay Sands) and walk towards Car Park South.
Driving: Drive towards MBS. You won’t miss the Big White Top. Once there, you can either park at the open air Wilson carpark next to the tents or in MBS thorugh Carpark South.
2) Admission Entrance: The entrance to the Big White Top directly faces the stunning city skyline, across the waterfront facing Clifford Pier.
3) Food and Snacks: This is a 2.5 hour long performance with a 30 minute intermission. There are no warm meals served in the Big Top (except popcorn and hotdogs) but take a one-minute walk to MBS and you’ll find some relatively inexpensive local fare there (we had a quick dinner at the Nanyang Cafe in MBS at Basement 1). No food or drinks are allowed inside, beginning from the lobby area.
4) Toilet Facilities: If theirs is full, take a short walk to use the ones at MBS (like we did).
5) Photography: No photography, video recording and audio recording during the performance.
CAVALIA : A Magical Encounter Between Man and Horse
Show Dates: 12 August 2014 to 14 September 2014
Show Times:
Tuesdays to Fridays: 7.30pm
Saturdays: 2pm & 7.30pm
Sundays: 12pm & 5.30pm
Venue: Under the White Theatre Tent, Bayfront Ave (next to Marina Bay Sands)
Ticket Sales, Discounts and Packages: Sistic
‘LIKE’ Base Entertainment’s FB and Cavalia SG for more photos, highlights and updates!
Cavalia – a spectacular show not to be missed! |
You can also read the reviews of Cavalia from our favourite parent blogger friends:
Susan Koh says
Cavalia looks amazing. Hope it was a nice mid-week perk up from your long tiring day.