Mystère (Cirque du Soleil)
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Mystère is a Cirque du Soleil show in permanent residence at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. It is one of five resident Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, the others being O, Kà, LOVE, and Zumanity. Mystère was first performed on 25 December 1993 and quickly won over audiences with its unique style of circus entertainment. As with many Cirque Du Soleil productions, Mystère provides a mixture of acrobatics, gymnastics, dance, opera, new age music and comedy.
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[edit] History
The idea for Mystère started around 1990. It was originally planned for Caesar's Palace with the theme based on Greek and Roman Mythology. The plan, however, was scrapped by the casino execs, thinking the project would be too risky. Mystère was very different from the typical material they were used to in a Las Vegas show. According to Michael Crete, a set designer for Cirque du Soleil, "Vegas... was still very influenced by Folies Bergeres, with the scarves, feather boas, etc. There was a European culture already in place, oddly enough, not an American one. The people who opened the door for something new were Siegfried and Roy. They were the first to move away from the Folies Bergeres thing."
Treasure Island picked up the show three years later. This opportunity offered some new creative territory for Cirque Du Soleil. Mystère was their first show that would have its own theater. All previous shows became successful by going on tour and performing in cities in North America and around the world. Mystère would have a permanent base in Las Vegas. It was also the first time they would work with a major financial partner - Mirage Casino-Hotel - to produce a show. With Mystère, they no longer had uninhibited creative power and, on occasion, had to contend with the more conservative tastes of their client.
The new location inspired some changes in the thematic elements of the show as well. The focus of the show became the origins of life in the universe, although some mythological elements did remain intact. This theme is the inspiration for the show's costumes, set design and music.
[edit] Characters
The Spermatos and Spermatites
The Spermatos and Spermatites are like viruses, contaminating the world of Mystère with infectious folly. They are the seeds of life, moving about frantically to fulfill their destinies.
The Firebird
The Firebird leaps ever higher in her futile attempt to take to the skies. Still convinced she can fly, she struggles against her fate.
Les Laquais
In perpetual servitude, the Laquais are the footmen of Mystère. Their objective is to serve and support others in their pursuit of happiness.
Brian Le Petit
Brian looks relatively harmless as he sprints through the audience, but remember: he does not belong to this magical world. He is a troublemaker, always doing things he shouldn't, always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Bebe Francois and Bebebe
Always in search of warmth and food, the babies represent the primitive human state: selfish and hungry.
Le Vache à Lait
When the Vache à Lait sounds his ancient horn, it heralds a rebirth, a new beginning. The Vache à Lait is the protector of babies and a symbol of fertility
The Man in Pink
The Man in Pink is the narrator no one listens to. He takes himself very seriously, and gets very angry and disagreeable when others don't.
The Belle
The Belle celebrates the present because her beauty—like life itself—is ephemeral. She is the mystery of beauty, timeless and fleeting.
The Black Widow
The Black Widow is a praying mantis who destroys the illusions and dreams of her victims. She is the antithesis of the Belle's beauty and grace.
The Birds of Prey
The ever-present and unpredictable Birds of Prey fly furiously through the world of Mystère. They can be graceful and serene, but when hungry they will attack, devouring their prey with delight.
The Green Lizard
This chameleon can completely disappear before your eyes. But when it skitters about in its reptilian dance, the lizard shows off its shiny green skin with flashes of scarlet.
The Double Faces
The Double Faces hide behind haunting masks. In constant search of their own identities, they seldom reveal vulnerability.
[edit] Acts
- Opening
- Aerial Cube
- Chinese Poles
- Hand-to-Hand: This act is an exhibition of strength and stamina by two brothers who perform the increasingly difficult balancing act on a rotating dome.
- Bungee Jumping
- Trampoline,Fast Track and Korean Plank
- Aerial High Bar: The Aerial High Bar act was created and implemented by coach Andrei Lev and choreographer Pavel Brun. Inspired by the gymnastics high-bar routine, Mystère's High Bar bears Cirque du Soleil's own unique stamp. Fourteen national-calibre athletes from Russia, Romania, Canada and the United States use a symmetrical metal structure to fly and spin 40 feet above the stage.
- Taiko
- Closing
[edit] Summary
Mystère broke a lot of new ground for the Quebec based performers and, despite some initial skepticism, has enjoyed a highly successful and profitable run. It's still a top draw on the Las Vegas Strip with most shows nearly selling out the 1600 seat Mystère Theater. It led the way for four more shows on the Strip (O, Zumanity, Kà and Love) making Cirque du Soleil one of the most recognizable entertainment groups in Las Vegas.
[edit] Media
Two different music CDs exist for this show. The first one, released in 1994 when the show opened, contained studio recordings; the second one, a live recording released in 1996, contained several different songs as the show evolved. A 1-hour documentary DVD, "The Mystery of Mystère", was published in 2007.
[edit] Souvenir Programs
Approximately once a year since the show's inception, Cirque publishes a new program with some new photos of the acts as well as the names and photos of the performers. The primary way of distinguishing each edition is the cover photo; the secondary method, since the same cover has repeated over multiple years, is to look at the copyright statement on the credits page.
| Cover | Year/Filename | Printing Date | Pages |
| Double-Face | 1994 | October 1994 | 52 |
| Double-Face | 1995 | August 1995 | 52 |
| Double-Face | 1996 | January 1996 | 52 |
| Double-Face | 1997 | April 1997 | 52 |
| Double-Face | Myst.03.1998 | February 1998 | 52 |
| Long-Nose | Myst.03.1999 | March 1999 | 52 |
| Long-Nose | Myst.05.2000 | May 2000 | 52 |
| Long-Nose | Myst.05.2001 | May 2001 | 52 |
| Long-Nose | Myst.06.2002 | (none) | 52 |
| Long-Nose | Myst.06.03 | (none) | 52 |
| ? | (Myst.??.04) | (?) | (?) |
| Firebird | Myst.11.05 | (none) | 58 (plus insert) |
[edit] References
- Cirque Du Soleil - 20 Years Under the Sun, by Tony Babinsky, 2004
- Mystere - Music Composed by Rene Dupere & Benoit Jutras, transcription for piano and voices by Jean-Francois Brissette, music engraving and book design by Yvon Hubert, 1997, ISBN 2-921124-85-8
[edit] External links
- Official website of Cirque du Soleil about Mystère
- Alexis Brothers Official website of Marco and Paulo Lorador, the current hand-to-hand act in Mystère.
- Mystère show review by Deana Waddell at VEGAS.com
- ‘Mystère’ still a wonderland at Treasure Island at LasVegas.com
- Mystère by Cirque du Soleil: Full Review at Vegas4Visitors
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