19 February 2018
Newsdesk
Cirque du Soleil had the honour of opening the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday (18 February) at the Royal Albert Hall, where it is currently performing the critically acclaimed 'OVO'. The special performance, inspired by the 3 time BAFTA award winning film The Shape Of Water and created by the team behind ‘OVO’, was a spectacular opening to the prestigious ceremony. Today, Cirque du Soleil reveal how the breathtaking performance came together. The video can be seen in the following link: https://app.frame.io/f/5b17dfd9-73a6-4254-b984-5d37a18c63b5
From creation to costumes, acrobatics to artists, make up and more, the newly unveiled video is a sneak-peek into the behind-the-scenes workings of Cirque du Soleil's 'OVO' as they gear up for the UK's most important film industry awards ceremony. Since the beginning of January 2018, the team has been working tirelessly to create a performance which encompasses the spirit of The Shape Of Water, embraces the film's themes, whilst incorporating Cirque du Soleil's spectacular acrobatics.
The performance was an adaptation of the aerial straps act from ‘OVO’, which sees two beautiful butterflies fly high inside the Royal Albert Hall. An elegant act filled with stunning twists, turns and acrobatic magic, it is performed by Catherine Audy and Alexis Strudel.
The newly created costumes were made especially for EE British Academy Film Awards by Susan Judd and the body art and make up by Mona Turnbull.
‘OVO’ is currently performing at London’s Royal Albert Hall, having received 4* reviews from The Times (‘one of the best-designed extravaganzas in Cirque’s huge body of works’), Daily Telegraph (‘breathtaking’) and Metro (‘A show packed with wall to wall, floor-to-ceiling highlights’).
The show runs until 4 March before touring Europe, Russia and returning to the UK for a brand-new UK arena tour starting in Liverpool on 16 August 2018. The show will then visit Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester and finally Birmingham, ending on 7 October 2018.
The cast of ‘OVO’ is comprised of 50 performing artists from 17 countries specialising in a wide variety of jaw-dropping acrobatic acts. Having thrilled more than 5 million people worldwide since the show premiered in Montreal in 2009 as a Big Top show, ‘OVO’ embarks on a journey, offering the same captivating production as the Big Top performances, but on a larger scale now, visiting major arenas and venues including London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall.
‘OVO’, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.
Tickets are on sale now, and for a truly unforgettable Cirque Du Soleil experience a collection of brand-new premium, and VIP experiences for all the family are also available. Tickets can be bought via the Cirque du Soleil website or www.royalalberthall.com or 020 7589 8212.
