'Cavalia': Equestrian Poetry in Motion

It should be stated up front that "Cavalia", the beautiful equestrian show now playing under the white Big Top at the "Cavalia Village" (inspired by the Denver International Airport) is not a Cirque du Soleil show. Nor is it associated with the equestrian show that played in the very same spot in 2001.

However the show's Founder and Artistic Director, Normand Latourell, is the Co-Founder of Cirque du Soleil and the show does have a few "Cirque elements" in it. But that's where the comparisons end for the most part.

Upon entering the village, one would expect walking into an arena type theatre. This is where the magic begins. You walk into what is more like a proscenium type stage setting. As the curtain rises you get your first taste of the Cirque elements with a man on a large "ball" (Faical Moulid). He does a few acrobatics and as you are focusing your attention on him, you realize that a lone horse has made its way onto the stage with no rider and no trainer. Your attention immediately shifts as you watch this beautiful creature calmly amble around as if he just happened to stumble on this place and wanted to check it and Mr. Moulid out. Before you know it, the side curtains on the stage pull back to reveal the rest of the 160 foot wide stage (The equivalent to the width of a regulation NFL football field. ) It also reveals the rest of the 210 foot wide screen that serves as a backdrop for projections and also serves as a window for you to see the five musicians and singer behind it. Yes, you will gasp.

What follows is a spectacle that will, at times, take your breath away. During the evening the horses go through their paces with the help of the 34 artists, acrobats, dancers and riders. All of whom make all of what you are experiencing look easy. Most notable are two segments called "La Vida" and "Grand Liberte'". In La Vida "Spirits", aerialists, soar above the horses that are circling a ring in the center of the stage representing their flying spirits. We have heard that timing is everything and it is with this segment as the spirits eventually lower to earth and become one with the horses. The most awe inspiring segment, for me at least, was "Grand Liberte'". Not just one but nine horses take the stage alone. We watch as they enter one by one, intermingling as if they had planned on meeting at this certain time and place. They go through their paces by themselves before being joined by Trainer Sylvia Zerbini guides them through the rest of the segment. When the nine horses are onstage alone, it is artistry and beauty at its finest. It's just stunning.
What helps to capture you and keep your attention is the dramatic lighting and visual effects. There is a snow shower, leaves falling and even a wall of rain that falls across the stage. Leave it to Director/Visual Conceptor Erik Villeneuve, Lighting Designer Alain Lorti and Scenic Designer Marc Labelle to give you one of the most jaw dropping, beautiful visuals you will ever see with this wall of rain. You will not soon forget it.

Combined with the artistic staging, lighting, visuals, scenic design and beautiful music composed by Michel Cusson, Cavalia succeeds. Where Cavalia slows a bit is during the segments that feature the acrobats. At times they feel thrown in to fill space and time. They are part of the Cirque element that should be incorporated a bit smoothly into the show. However, they don't really take away for what you came to see which, are the horses. Horses also need to run and run they do in the Voltige En Ligne segment where they gallop at lightning speed right across the front of the theatre. The expert riders stand on and hang from the sides of the horses as they jet past you.
According to the production people, Denver has embraced this show enough for it to extend another week through October 17th. I suggest you grab a ticket if you haven't and experience this "poem written in the language of sound image and extraordinary performance".

It is Equestrian poetry in motion.

Some Cavalia facts and figures:

The show has 34 artists, acrobats, riders and dancers from all over the world including Canada, the US France and Kyrgyzstan. 52 horses are featured representing 11 different breeds. The horses take commands in both French and English. They also react to the body movement and language of the trainers. Not all horses perform during the same show. If a performer leaves the show, a new performer is brought in ahead of time to bond with the horses before performing with them. The White big top is 110 feet high and the Cavalia village includes nine tents. Two special packages are available to patrons that include visiting the stables and a VIP evening at the show.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office on site at the Pepsi Center Parking lot or online at www.cavalia.net. Cavalia runs through Sunday, October 17 in the Cavalia Village at the Pepsi Center parking lot.