Mysterious Mystere – At
Treasure Island Hotel In Las VegasRead Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/shows/vegas/mystere/mystere.html
Mystere, Cirque Du Soleil at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada is a spellbinding theatrical miracle for all ages.
From minute I took my seat, pre-show comedic mimicry of Brian Le Petit, tuxedo dressed clown, alerted me to expect unexpected. His slightly dangerous antics, irreverent decorum and comedic timing made arriving audience take their seats and immediately pay attention. When house lights dimmed and show began, I could feel my imagination being stretched beyond recognition. The infusion of colors, sounds, lighting and artistic awe inspiring movements awakened my soul to a new life that defied logic or reason.
Mystere’s flawless artistry rocked my understanding of science, art, and anatomy and changed my life forever. For ninety minutes, I sat on edge of my seat enraptured with plethora of sounds, spectacle of human athleticism and sensual pleasures that emanated from sheer exuberance of being alive.
Being fully alive in present moment is one of most mesmerizing feats of evening. I didn’t want to forget a movement, a sound or a costume design, but spectacle was so all encompassing that it swept me away on a journey to very heart of where my past, present and future merged, and all of my emotions converged.
The gallery of characters that commanded stage was lovable, outrageous, and artistically stunning! The Clown, was like child who breaks a toy to see how it works. His innocent mischief made evening light and funny. The BABY, made us laugh with his disproportionate size, childish need for attention, and innocently dangerous curiosity. Moha-Samedi, pink master of ceremonies and his puppet represented accumulated knowledge of humanity since beginning of time. He was colorful fool who bears witness to past and present while creating nothing. Red Bird was brilliant in appearance and acrobatic skills snapped up energy of show like sparks that fly in wind. There are Pets, birds who have forgotten how to fly, Asticots, with their double faces that keep them hidden from truth, Giants, a gentle frivolous group of futile feathers and long legs, Stas, a mischievous imp, a thousand years old. And Ancient Bird who’s joy of remembrance fills her movements with surprise and displays mystery of memory.
These characters combined artistic disciplines of gymnastics, dance, visual poetry, music, mime, and comedy with flawless timing and dramatic impact. My eyes opened wide as Paul Bowler took center stage and soared with passion and deep concentration as he stretched my understanding of universe. He effortlessly turned and spun a neon lit cube while nonchalantly performing a gravity-defying ballet of breathtaking aerial moves. My stomach did flip flops as I wondered who was in control . . . cube or artist? It was a mystery.
The Chinese poles pushed limits of human strength and anatomical form. This art form originated in China. The Cirque du Soleil troupe uses both men and women (which is unusual for this art form because in China women don’t perform on Chinese Poles). This gravity-defying act features two principal performers from China, who are life-long students of this discipline. They, along with twenty members of colorful troupe slither and spring from pole to pole using only arm and leg power. Great upper body control and balance are essential. Their agility was awe-inspiring. Their double-faced masks created a stunning visual.
Then lighting changed and before me appeared two brothers who performed a hand and body balancing act that is done on a rotating dome. The incredible exhibition of strength and stamina demanded impeccable precision and alignment as well as strength. Their two bodies moved as one as their maneuvers demonstrated perfect harmony. I sat amazed watching these two mighty physiques connected in gentile, fluid movements exuding a sensuality that captivated entire audience as they applauded with appreciation.
When applause died down and lighting grew brighter, Bungee aerialists appeared mysteriously before us. They were like majestic birds in flight as they flew through air fearlessly in unison, creating a fantastically organized chaos. As they dropped from their trapezes in turn or as a group, they were stopped only by elastic around their waist, I watched bewitchingly spellbound. This aerial ballet is comprised of six performers, who spring and spin high above crowd. The Bungee performers rely on great upper-body strength and pinpoint precision to synchronize this “ballet without gravity,” another mystery to behold.
