Mystère (Cirque du Soleil)
Encyclopedia
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 seven resident Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, the others being O
, Zumanity
, Kà
, Love
, Criss Angel: Believe, and Viva Elvis
. Mystère was first performed on December 25, 1993 and quickly won over audiences with its unique style of circus
entertainment. As with many Cirque du Soleil productions, Mystère features a mixture of circus skills
, dance
, elaborate sets, opera
, worldbeat music
, and street theatre
-style comedy.
with a theme based on Greek
and Roman mythology
. The plan, however, was scrapped by the casino executives, who thought the project would be too financially risky. Mystère was very different from the typical material they were used to in a Las Vegas show. According to Mystère set designer Michel Crête, "Vegas... was still very influenced by Folies Bergère, with the scarves, feather boa
s, 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 Bergère 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, rather than touring with a circus tent. 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 costume
s, set design and music.
Mystère broke new ground for the Quebec
-based performers and, despite some initial skepticism, has enjoyed a highly successful and profitable run. It is 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 six more shows on the Strip (O, Zumanity, Kà, Love, Criss Angel: Believe, and Viva Elvis), making Cirque du Soleil one of the most recognizable entertainment groups in Las Vegas.
Since its premiere in December 25, 1993, the show, which features an international cast of 75 artists, has been seen by over 12 million spectators. On October 18, 2010, Mystère reached a record of being performed 8,000 times.
The taiko drums in Mystère are created by the Japanese company, Asano Taiko, located in Mattō, Ishikawa
Prefecture. The largest drum in Mystère is the ōdaiko, which is 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter and 15 feet (4.6 m) in length, weighs half a ton. Due to the large size of the drum, it actually had to be brought into the theatre during construction. Upon completion of the theatre the drum can not be removed as no door is actually large enough to accommodate it.
, who had composed all of Cirque du Soleil's earlier shows, including Nouvelle Expérience
and Saltimbanco
. In 1994 the show's music was released as a studio album featuring the vocals of Canadian singers Élise Gouin (now known as Élise Velle) and Nathalie Gauvin.
In 1995 the show underwent an artistic overhaul, including changes in the lineup of acts. The "manipulation" act was replaced by the "aerial cube", the flying trapeze act by the aerial high bars, and the "Filet" number was excluded from the show. At the same time the musical score was renovated with assistance from Benoît Jutras
, a longtime music director and arranger for Cirque who later went on to compose for Quidam
and other Cirque shows. The result, captured in the album Mystère: Live in Las Vegas, was a score that reflects the diverse compositional styles of both composers. Mystère: Live in Las Vegas is a live, in-house recording of the new score, featuring Nathalie Gauvin and Wendy Talley on vocals; the album was released on November 12, 1996. After the release of the live album, the music was rearranged and altered once again. While the album resembles the current live music closely, it is not identical.
Below is a list of tracks as featured on the 1996 live recording release, alongside which the current acts to which they accompany are listed.
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil , is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy...
show in permanent residence at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino
Treasure Island Hotel and Casino
Treasure Island Hotel & Casino is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, USA with 2,664 rooms and 220 suites, and is connected by tram to The Mirage as well as pedestrian bridge to the Fashion Show Mall shopping center...
in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is one of seven resident Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, the others being O
O (Cirque du Soleil)
O is a water-themed stage production by Cirque du Soleil, a Canadian circus and entertainment company. The show has been in permanent residence at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, since October 1998...
, Zumanity
Zumanity
Zumanity is a resident cabaret-style show by Cirque du Soleil at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The production was unveiled on September 20, 2003. It is the first "adult-themed" Cirque du Soleil show, billed as "the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil" or "another side...
, Kà
Ka
-Language:* Ka * Ka * Georgian language, ISO 639-1 code ka* A glyph in the Brahmic family of scripts-Media and entertainment:* Ka * Kà, a Cirque du Soleil show* Mister Mosquito, a video game, known in Japan as Ka...
, Love
LOVE (Cirque du Soleil)
Love is a 2006 theatrical production by Cirque du Soleil which combines the re-produced and re-imagined music of The Beatles with an interpretive, circus-based artistic and athletic stage performance. The show plays at a specially built theatre at The Mirage in Las Vegas.A joint venture between...
, Criss Angel: Believe, and Viva Elvis
Viva Elvis
Viva Elvis is the seventh resident Cirque du Soleil show on the Las Vegas Strip. It resides at the Aria Resort & Casino and premiered on February 19, 2010...
. Mystère was first performed on December 25, 1993 and quickly won over audiences with its unique style of circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
entertainment. As with many Cirque du Soleil productions, Mystère features a mixture of circus skills
Circus skills
Circus skills are a group of pursuits that have been performed as entertainment in circus, sideshow, busking or variety/vaudeville/music hall shows. Most circus skills are still being performed today. Many are also practiced by non-performers as a hobby....
, dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, elaborate sets, opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, worldbeat music
Worldbeat
Worldbeat is a music genre that primarily refers to a blending of Western pop music with traditional/folk or world music influences...
, and street theatre
Street theatre
Street theatre is a form of theatrical performance and presentation in outdoor public spaces without a specific paying audience. These spaces can be anywhere, including shopping centres, car parks, recreational reserves and street corners. They are especially seen in outdoor spaces where there are...
-style comedy.
History
The idea for Mystère started around 1990. It was originally planned for Caesars PalaceCaesars Palace
Caesars Palace is a luxury hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, an unincorporated township in Clark County, Nevada, United States in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Caesars Palace is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp....
with a theme based on Greek
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
and Roman mythology
Roman mythology
Roman mythology is the body of traditional stories pertaining to ancient Rome's legendary origins and religious system, as represented in the literature and visual arts of the Romans...
. The plan, however, was scrapped by the casino executives, who thought the project would be too financially risky. Mystère was very different from the typical material they were used to in a Las Vegas show. According to Mystère set designer Michel Crête, "Vegas... was still very influenced by Folies Bergère, with the scarves, feather boa
Feather boa
A feather boa is a fashion accessory that is usually worn wrapped around the neck like a scarf.-Construction:A boa can be made of fur, but it is usually made instead from various types of feathers. Ostrich, marabou, chandelle, and turkey are the most common feathers used, although non-feather boas...
s, 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 Bergère 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, rather than touring with a circus tent. 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
The Mirage
The Mirage is a 3,044 room hotel and casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States.The Mirage is connected by a free tram to Treasure Island. The marquee in front of the Mirage is the largest free standing marquee in the world.-History:The Mirage was built by...
— to produce a show. With Mystère, they no longer had uninhibited creative power and, on occasion, had to contend with the more conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
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 costume
Costume
The term costume can refer to wardrobe and dress in general, or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class, or period. Costume may also refer to the artistic arrangement of accessories in a picture, statue, poem, or play, appropriate to the time, place, or other circumstances...
s, set design and music.
Mystère broke new ground for the Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
-based performers and, despite some initial skepticism, has enjoyed a highly successful and profitable run. It is still a top draw on the Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
, with most shows nearly selling out the 1600-seat Mystère Theater. It led the way for six more shows on the Strip (O, Zumanity, Kà, Love, Criss Angel: Believe, and Viva Elvis), making Cirque du Soleil one of the most recognizable entertainment groups in Las Vegas.
Since its premiere in December 25, 1993, the show, which features an international cast of 75 artists, has been seen by over 12 million spectators. On October 18, 2010, Mystère reached a record of being performed 8,000 times.
Set and technical information
The snail seen growing larger throughout the show is called Alice. By the end of the show, she is a giant inflatable puppet controlled by four puppeteers from the inside. The puppeteers move her around according to markings on the floor, since they can not see the outside. They also control her eyes, torso, and tail.The taiko drums in Mystère are created by the Japanese company, Asano Taiko, located in Mattō, Ishikawa
Matto, Ishikawa
was a city located in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.In 2003, the city had an estimated population of 66,520 and a population density of 1,109.96 persons per km²...
Prefecture. The largest drum in Mystère is the ōdaiko, which is 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter and 15 feet (4.6 m) in length, weighs half a ton. Due to the large size of the drum, it actually had to be brought into the theatre during construction. Upon completion of the theatre the drum can not be removed as no door is actually large enough to accommodate it.
Cast
The cast of Mystère contains a myriad of characters.- Spermatos/Spermatites: Represent the seeds of life.
- Red Bird: Is a primary character seen throughout the entire show, believing the can fly, tries futilely.
- Les Laquais: Are the footmen of Mystère and serve and support others in their quest. They perform in the Korean plank.
- Brian Le Petit: Is a troublemaker and does not belong to the world of Mystère.
- Les Bébés: Represent the primitive human state: selfish and hungry.
- La Vache à Lait: Protects the babies and is a symbol of fertility.
- Moha-Samedi: Is the narrator.
- La Belle
- The Black Widow: Is the antithesis of Belle.
- Birds of Prey
- Lizards
- Double Faces: Are in constant search of their own identity. They perform in the Chinese poles act.
Acts
Mystère has 7 sportive, acrobatic acts which are supplemented by acts about the storyline provided by the clowns.- Aerial cube: An aerialist performs with a metal cube both in the air and on the ground.
- Chinese poleChinese poleChinese poles are vertical poles of aluminium on which circus performers climb, slide down and hold poses. The poles are generally between 3 and 9 metres in height and approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Some poles have a slightly larger pole that rotates around the static central pole...
s: A group of acrobats climb up and slide down on three metal poles. - Hand-to-hand: Two brothers perform an exhibition of strength and stamina on a rotating dome.
- Bungee: A group of artists bounce and swing from the ceiling to the ground and back on bungees.
- TrampolineTrampolineA trampoline is a device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric stretched over a steel frame using many coiled springs. People bounce on trampolines for recreational and competitive purposes....
, fast trackTumbling (gymnastics)In gymnastics, tumbling, also known as power tumbling is an acrobatic sporting discipline which combines some of the skills of artistic gymnastics on the floor with those of trampolining. It is practised on a 25 metre long spring track...
, and Korean plank: Artists perform a combination of these three acts. - Aerial high barHorizontal barThe high bar, also known as the horizontal bar, is an apparatus used by male gymnasts in Artistic Gymnastics. It traditionally consists of a cylindrical metal bar that is rigidly held above and parallel to the floor by a system of cables and stiff vertical supports. Gymnasts typically wear leather...
: Created and implemented by coach Andrei Lev and choreographer Pavel Brun, a group of acrobats fly and spin on an apparatus 40 feet high above the stage. - TaikoTaikomeans "drum" in Japanese . Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble taiko drumming...
: A group of artists perform a powerful rhythm on the Japanese taiko drums.
Costumes
Dominique Lemieux took inspiration from nature to create the colorful costumes of Mystère. One such costume is the Firebird, which has red feathers and accents that give the impression of embers flying through the air. An odd bunch, the Spermatos and Spermatites are dressed in elongated costumes which bulge in the center and have a tendril-like feature on the head. To give the characters an organic nature, spandex and lycra were used in conjunction with fringes and borders.Music
The original score of Mystère was composed by René DupéréRené Dupéré
René Dupéré is a Québécois composer from Mont-Joli, Québec, Canada.- Biography :Dupéré is best known as the composer and arranger of music for contemporary circus productions by the Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil...
, who had composed all of Cirque du Soleil's earlier shows, including Nouvelle Expérience
Nouvelle Experience
Nouvelle Expérience was Cirque du Soleil's fourth touring circus show, which premiered in 1990. The show's tour ended in 1993 in The Mirage parking lot in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over 1.3 million people saw the production during its 3½-year run.-Cast:...
and Saltimbanco
Saltimbanco
Saltimbanco is the oldest major touring show of Cirque du Soleil that remains active in some form. Saltimbanco ran from 1992 to 2006 in its original form, performed under a large circus tent called the Grand Chapiteau; its last performance in that form was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 10,...
. In 1994 the show's music was released as a studio album featuring the vocals of Canadian singers Élise Gouin (now known as Élise Velle) and Nathalie Gauvin.
In 1995 the show underwent an artistic overhaul, including changes in the lineup of acts. The "manipulation" act was replaced by the "aerial cube", the flying trapeze act by the aerial high bars, and the "Filet" number was excluded from the show. At the same time the musical score was renovated with assistance from Benoît Jutras
Benoît Jutras
Benoît Jutras is a Canadian composer known for his unique style of music, which usually includes erhus, bagpipes, and other exotic instruments. His most widely known works are the scores he has written for Cirque du Soleil, including O, Mystère, Quidam, and La Nouba...
, a longtime music director and arranger for Cirque who later went on to compose for Quidam
Quidam
Quidam is the ninth stage show produced by Cirque du Soleil. It premiered in April 1996 and has now been watched by millions of spectators around the world...
and other Cirque shows. The result, captured in the album Mystère: Live in Las Vegas, was a score that reflects the diverse compositional styles of both composers. Mystère: Live in Las Vegas is a live, in-house recording of the new score, featuring Nathalie Gauvin and Wendy Talley on vocals; the album was released on November 12, 1996. After the release of the live album, the music was rearranged and altered once again. While the album resembles the current live music closely, it is not identical.
Below is a list of tracks as featured on the 1996 live recording release, alongside which the current acts to which they accompany are listed.
- Ouverture/Ramsani (Show opening)
- Misha (Aerial cube)
- Égypte (Interlude)
- Rondo/Double Face (Chinese poles)
- Ulysse (Hand-to-hand)
- Dôme (Interlude)
- Kalimando (Bungee pt. 1)
- Kunya Sobé (Bungee pt. 2)
- En Ville/Frisco (Trampoline, fast track, Korean plank)
- Gambade (Interlude)
- High Bar (Aerial high bar)
- Taïko (Taiko drumming)
- Finale (Show finale)
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 still a wonderland at Treasure Island at LasVegas.com
- Mystère by Cirque du Soleil: Full Review at Vegas4Visitors