Anupa Kurian speaks to some of the people who make Cirque Surreal, showing in Dubai, a dynamic fusion of traditional circus skills, modern dance, drama and humour
It's a haze of blue, purple, red, green and gold. Performers dash around in a frenzy of activity. Exotic beats pour out of the sound system. Almost magical, like a journey on a flying carpet... a dream. They're the Cirque Surreal Voyagers - a New Age circus that doesn't use any animals.
Currently being staged in Dubai on the grounds of the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, the production has been brought to the UAE for the first time. It will run until December 21.
Cirque Surreal is a dynamic fusion of traditional circus skills, modern dance, drama and humour. Narrated as a fable, it follows the exploits of five travellers from various continents, drawn together by the the forces of the moon, as they journey to discover their true self in society.
"Cirque Surreal was created in 1995, for the Edinburgh Arts Festival, to break down the traditional norms surrounding a circus," explained Phillip Gandey, director and producer of the show.
"It is more like a West End musical. We have got artists from 15 different countries to create the kaleidoscope of acts and talents.
"Creating a circus of this nature was a bit risky in this day and age, when children are usually glued to television and computer games. However, I believe if you give them something equally exciting and real, they will come to see it.
"So we created a circus that has the same level of dynamism and movement as their games, and this is better, because it is so real... not just graphics."
He said the preparation time for the event was around six months, to create the sequences, music and costumes.
"The clothes were designed with the help of a costume designer from Moscow, and they were meant to reflect the mood of the show."
"A lot of the painters used the circus as an example in their surrealist paintings... because it has such a fantastical quality to it."
He said the show's storyline has several plots and subplots, which will appeal to all ages from four-year-olds to 90-year-olds. "The children can just enjoy the acts and colours, while the adults can follow the story. So it has a universal appeal."
Gandey said a circus of this nature is more preferable in this day and age. "A lot of places don't allow or appreciate having animals in the circus. A long time ago, circus was the only place people could see different kinds of animals.
"Today, they can see them in the zoo. Also, it is not possible to have wild animals in the circus... you cannot give them the right environment. However domesticated animals, such as horses are okay because otherwise you would have to protest against showjumping or racing.
"I guess this is the way forward and it does bring in the people," he added.
Nineteen-year-old juggler Jamil Martinez, agreed. He said: "I have been in a number of traditional circuses, but this is very different.
"I was born into circus, my mother was a trapeze artist. I wanted to be a footballer, but wasn't picked up. Then I got hooked by juggling, now I juggle footballs... it is addictive.
"You have to be really dedicated as a circus artiste... I practise as much as I can.
"Cirque Surreal is more like ballet and much better than the traditional circus. Also there is no cruelty against animals, hopefully this will be the way forward."
The circus doesn't use any safety nets, despite the artists performing death defying stunts and acts. However, they do work with a safety lunge around their waists.
"There is danger in our work, but it is also a testament of our professionalism and skills," explained Anna Rastsova, a 26-year-old trapeze performer from Moscow. Hers is the closing act and quite breathtaking in its deft manoeuvring.
She said: "I have been a performer for 11 years, and feel this circus is better than the old type of circus. I have worked in Japan, Italy, Sweden, Finland and South America. This kind of circus showcases the performers better.
"There is also a greater cohesive quality, because it is being told like a story... so all the artists are involved throughout the show. Not like isolated performances."
One of the top acts of Cirque Surreal are the "brothers on ropes and chain" - 25-year-old Bobby Mikhailov and 27-year-old Miloslav Tavekelisky. They perform gymnastics, while being suspended in air by a chain or rope.
Mikhailov said: "We used to do floor gymnastics, but many can do that. We needed change and to do something unique. So we decided to work on creating formations in the air. It is extremely physically exhausting, and we cannot practise more than once a day before the shows.
"Cirque Surreal helps give us a great arena to perform in. Also there is greater interaction with the audience because of the way the show has been created." He said the traditional circus is slowly fading away, so there is a need for the more such modern productions, especially for the performers.
"I cannot work in a regular job. I tried working in a supermarket, but couldn't do it. I was born into a circus family... I am the third generation, so anything else is not an option."
The circus is being promoted in the UAE by ITP Live. Robert Appleyard, general manager of the company, said: "Cirque Surreal is the kind of entertainment that can be enjoyed by the entire family. It is very artistic and creative.
"We've had a fantastic response so far, for people here appreciate this kind of wholesome, interactive, quality entertainment. We are planning on getting more such shows in the future."
There are two daily shows at 6.00pm and 8.30pm, running from Saturday to Tuesday. An additional afternoon show at 3.00pm will be staged on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
