Varekai

Filmed live in Toronto in high definition, Varekai, the latest Cirque du Soleil touring production (the most recent show is actually the weird Cirque/erotica hybrid Zumanity, playing in Las Vegas), looks drop dead gorgeous--better even than the Superbit edition of the acclaimed Canadian circus troupe's Dralion (VL Online-10/03). In this, their 13th stage production combining their trademark exotic blend of music, comedy, and stunning individual and group performances, the Cirque team re-imagines the Icarus legend (of a young Greek winged lad who fell out of the sky), dropping the boy into a magical forest, and adding in a touch of romance. Of course, as in all Cirque outings, plot plays second fiddle to the colorfully-attired, athletic, and acrobatic performers, and Varekai offers up a handful of eye-popping doozies: guys who spin their mates in the air with their feet, a juggler who juggles balls with his mouth, a woman whose balancing act on a slender post is absolutely breathtaking, and so on. In addition to the splendid visuals, Varekai boasts one of the better Cirque soundtracks (presented in DTS or Dolby Digital 5.1 audio); on a good home theater system, this is the next best thing to attending a live performance. The double-disc set also boasts a handsome array of extras, including a 45-minute "making of," a meet-the-artists section with additional in-depth interviews, a preview of the documentary TV series Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within (following young men and women hoping to join the troupe), and more. Highly recommended. [Note: also newly available on DVD, Alegria--priced at $27.95--Cirque's 8th production, filmed live in Sydney, Australia--which is vastly superior to the ill-conceived feature film version (see review in VL-3/00). Aud: H, C, P. (R. Pitman)