Toruk-The First Flight is coming to Manila. Our whole family is excited because we have a long standing history with Cirque Du Soleil and the entertainment that these shows offer kids of all ages.
Truth be told, Nino and I have enjoyed attending the different Cirque Du Soleil productions for years.
Watching La Nouba in Orlando was a highlight for us during this Florida vacation with Nino’s family.
We have gone to shows before we had the children, and we have enjoyed them as a family of five.
Bringing the kids to Varekai when it was here in Manila was a no brainer. We knew we wanted them to experience the magic of Cirque Du Soleil.
Whenever we have partaken of this circus wonder, we have always come away from each show amazed and in awe of the spectacle that has us on the edge of our seats for almost two hours.
EVERY.
TIME.
If you count Gelli in my belly, all six of us were able to watch Varekai.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege to meet some of the cast of the upcoming production which is coming to Manila next week!
Over an intimate dinner, we laughed and exchanged stories about growing up. I learned more about what brought all these interesting people together for the sake of something that is more than entertaining.
To be honest, it was probably the most refreshing media event that I have been to in awhile.
And I know exactly why.
Over dinner and drinks with the three members of the cast and crew, and the publicist for TORUK, we chatted about everything under the “Circus of the Sun.” From growing up as a Filipino in both Canada and the United States, to veganism, and the advocacies that everyone around the table are involved in.
We touched on so many different topics of adult conversation that I walked away from the table feeling refreshed like I had an evening out with new friends…
More than that, we enjoyed a ton of great food and a night of learning about one another…
The beauty in all of that, is the fact that we not only got to learn more about the show slotted for the MOA Arena, which will premier on June 23rd, we also got to learn a lot about the people behind it as well.
Y’all know I love a good story, right?
Well, I was able to connect with Rob, Daniel, and Michael in a way while learning what brought them to the circus and performing arts.
I was privileged to learn of some of the challenges that they have overcome, and the growth that traveling around the world performing for thousands of people at a time has offered them, each, indvidually.
Janie Mallet, publicist for Toruk, Daniel Crispin, Entu Acrobat, Michael Ocampo, Head Coach, and Rob Laqui, Puppeteer for the upcoming show
But that’s for a different post about human experience, connection, and how all of our stories can somehow be intertwined.
Today, I want to tell you about Cirque Du Soleil’s Toruk-The First Flight.
This 33 year old Canadian company, whose headquarters are in Montreal, has put on both equally extravagant and entertaining shows, captivating millions of people all over the globe, and raising the bar on circus productions forever.
With over 37 different shows to date, (and more in the works,) Toruk-The First Flight, which is on the way to Manila, is uber different from all the other productions that have traveled the world with the Cirque Du Soleil tag and branding.
I was so happy to sit beside Daniel during dinner and learn more about his advocacy of working with children and young adults who are interested in learning more about circus school and training. You can follow him on IG @crispyslife
FIRST: Toruk is the first show inspired by a record breaking movie.
“James Cameron’s AVATAR imaginary world is coupled with the cutting edge visuals, puppetry, and stage craft known to Cirque Du Soleil goers. As always, this production will be set to live music, with performers all over the world weave the story that is set in Pandora years before any human has ever visited.”
SECOND: Toruk is the first production of Cirque Du Soleil that can take an arena that seats 17,000 people and transform it into an entire set with over 40 projectors.
Toruk is much more of a narrative with the background of the Avatar, and it is all done by bringing 40 projectors to set the scene creating a set that will cover the entire SM MOA Arena spanning the equivalent of 5 IMAX screens that are over 20 feet in height.
Cirque Du Soleil does this with wonder. With these visually stunning sets. They bring the audience into a new world filled with imagination, discovery, and possibility.
“Filipinos will enjoy this one of a kind show with breathtaking video projections, impressive acrobatic acts, larger than life puppets, and colorful costumes. This is a show that has something for everyone in the entire family!”
– Janie Mallet, publicist for TORUK
THIRD: Members of the audience will be involved at a whole new level.
This means that show goers can download an app and participate in the show in a way we have never been able to participate before.
“In an effort to bring audience members involvement to a whole new level, Cirque Du Soleil will be launching the first of its kind app for TORUK-The First Flight. Working with long time technology partner SAP, the app will enhance the overall show experience and enable audience members to be a part of the action before, during and after the performance.”
DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toruk-the-first-flight
Can you say #EXCITED?
Check out these photos from this production that has been touring North America for 15 months amazing 1.3 million fans!
If you want to purchase tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/toruk and www.smtickets.com.
Remember that the show only runs from June 23rd to July 2nd, so get your tickets already!
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