You would imagine that the keyword behind making one of the world’s most famous productions the success it is today, is regulation. With a total of 50 performers – ranging between the age of 19 and 52 – from 60 different nationalities around the world, all using different types of equipment, maintaining vastly distinct diets and rehearsal routines, and all having to be ready for their first big production in Cape Town on the 5th of March – strict rules, synchronized routines and stringent monitoring must be the difference between failure and perfection. Or not?
At Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Dralion’- freedom rather than regulation is what makes it work. Performers independently design their daily routines – from waking up, to training, to eating, to going to bed. They even have control over when and how long to train, when to schedule their breaks and how to spend it. If a performer decides to train for one hour, take the rest of the day off and go drinking until the early hours of the morning – he or she is free to do so; but with the obvious consequences it involves in the long run. Art directors sit in on as many as 4 rehearsals per week and if there is any sign of underperformance, it will not be overlooked. Performers have complete control over their time, but it is a gift that comes at a high price if it is with dealt with recklessly. Among performers, independence has become just another word responsibility.
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| Jonathan Morin on the Cross Wheel. Picture by Jordi Matas |
Jonathan Morin, a 35 year old, ex-gymnast from Quebec, has been with the Cirque du Soleil for 14 years. Eight years ago Jonathan decided he needed something a little different to spice up his acrobatic act. Six years and five prototypes later, the ‘Cross Wheel act’ was born – the first ever of its kind and now unique to Cirque du Soleil. Jonathan designed and built the ‘Cross Wheel’ from scratch, even inventing joints to simplify assembling and disassembling it for transportation purposes. A firm believer in healthy living and a self-made nutritionist, Jonathan's passion for physical wellbeing goes beyond that of eating habits and exercise. For him, a healthy spirit and doing what he loves is what counts the most.
Jonathan is just one of 60 other performers at the Dralion. Add his passion to the passion of the remaining 59, and you’ll see what freedom can do to levels of ambition. Putt that ambition into a performance and you will know what can be expected of Dralion’s first production at Grand West Casino in Cape Town on 5 March. Prepare to be delighted!
Performers' shoes backstage (left); Performers rehearsing (right). Pictures by Jordi Matas
