Feature: CAVALIA
CAVALIA: A Magical Encounter Between Horse and Man Is a Must-See
By IENN
Sep 7, 2005, 13:17

Pas de Deux (IENN photo)

Cavalia is a must-see extravaganza created by Normand Latourelle, one of the founders of the famed Cirque du Soleil, which will take your breath away. Directed by Érick Villeneuve, Cavalia celebrates the relationship between horses and humans, in a way you have never seen before. Horses frolic with acrobats, aerialists, and entertainers in front of a constantly changing background, projected on a 200 ft wide screen, transporting the spectators to dream-like virtual settings. The audience is only feet-away, seated theatre-style facing an enormous 160 ft wide stage which allows the horses enough space to gallop and play – at times completely unfettered by bridles or halters – at full speed.

The show involves 50 horses, of which more than half are stallions – the rest geldings, 32 artists, riders, acrobats, aerialists, and dancers, as well as musicians, a vocalist, and the famous European ‘horse-whisperer’ Frederic Pignon and his wife, world-class rider Magali Delgado. Both are Equestrian Co-Directors of the production.

Frederic Pignon gets a kiss from a stallion (IENN photo)

Pignon and Delgado bring an approach to horses marked by kindness and respect, which shows in the horses’ eyes. Their training involves using finger and body gestures, clicking their tongues, and making a game out of routines. The normal aggressiveness of a stallion is channeled into playful focus. Pignon exudes patience and love for these horses. With his own mane of hair reaching far down his back, and white flowing robe, he becomes one with them, eyes never leaving theirs, and smiling with enjoyment all the while.

There are so many things that make this show unique and truly astonishing. Horse aficionados will appreciate the way the horses have been trained – not only are multiple stallions performing together, but are doing incredible movements without restraint. Amazingly the horses seem completely unaware of the acrobats, aerialists, or bungee artists, let alone the music or close proximity of the spectators. The beautiful four-legged performers react to the slightest of movement, touch, or whisper, virtually invisible to the general eye.

IENN photo

The technological aspects of the show are perfect – from the special effects, lighting, ever-changing backdrops, and even down to the 1,500 tons of sand footing used on the stage. Through trial and error Latourelle has found that the best combination is various sized grains of silica, and it works remarkably. At the beginning of the show there is a large puddle of water on the stage. A lone stallion enters, walks through the puddle, stops as if to drink, admires his surroundings, and exits as if the audience is not there. In the very next scene, the entire puddle has disappeared without a trace. Acrobats tumble across it, horses lay on it, and there are no remnants left on costume or hide. Any avid equestrian knows that is an amazing feat in itself.

Cavalia’s equine cast includes Lusitanos, Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, Canadian horses, Percherons, Belgian, Spanish, and an Appaloosa colt, that has just made his debut. The Lusitano stallions are nearly all full brothers, bred at the Delgado family farm in the south of France, where they have 120 horses. Magali’s sister Estelle is also in the show, and the two sisters perform a beautiful dressage ‘Pas de Deux’ on white stallions, where they mirror each other’s movements.

Frederic Pignon and 'Fasto' (IENN photo)

Choreographer Alain Gauthier has created performances that range from the hypnotic Fly, where fairy-like girls float on bungees above the horses to the Roman Riding which brings spectators to the edge of their seats. Riders do acrobatics on horses backs at a full gallop around the stage - even over jumps. Erick Villeneuve, Director and Visual Designer has created backdrops that change seamlessly from forest scenery to a Roman Forum. Award-winning composer Michel Cusson has created music that is absolutely magical, and sounds so perfect you might think that it’s a recording until you get a glimpse of the actual musicians. Marie-Soleil Dion’s delightful voice only adds to the effects. Mireille Vachon’s 75 costumes are beautiful – each is rich in color and fabric, and perfect for every scene.

The show takes place under North America’s largest touring tent – a white, 26,264-sq. ft. big top rising nearly 100 feet high. The Big Top includes four tents: the entrance tent, the stables, a performance tent, a VIP tent, an artist tent, and a canteen. It takes 50 people 12 days to erect it, and 2 days to dismantle it. The Stables alone are 11,500 square feet, and it takes 45 trucks to move it. Twice the size of the Rolling Stones’ tour!

Normand Latourelle, Magali Delgado, and an equine performer (IENN photo)

The story of how Cavalia came to be can only be described as fate. Latourelle wanted to do a new show with horses in it, and during his research came across a video of Pignon and Delgado. He was determined to find them but could not. In the mean time, Pignon and Delgado, who had participated in various equine events in Europe, were looking to do something different – like a Cirque du Soleil – but could not find anyone interested in their vision. Fate truly came into play. Latourelle happened to be in France and was walking through a park where he chanced upon the strolling French couple, and recognized them from the video he had seen. “I’ve been looking for you”, he said. The rest is history.

Cavalia is a must-see performance. It is like a dream that you never want to end.

For tickets please visit www.cavalia.net.

(IENN photo)

(IENN photo)