Cirque du Soleil returned to John Paul Jones Arena this week to present “Dralion,” an acrobatic performance showcasing the best of multiple cultures’ cirque interpretations. Arts & Entertainment brings you a behind-the-scenes look at the performance’s creation and execution, in collaboration with acrobat Gao Zhongxin, percussionist and performer Marcus Perozzi and Artistic Director Sean McKeown.
Arts & Entertainment: How is “Dralion” a fusion of Cirque du Soleil styles and traditional Asian values and symbols?
Gao Zhongxin: The four elements — namely fire, water, earth and air — are the embodiment of the fusion between traditional Cirque styles and Oriental values. The perfect inclusion of them sets “Dralion” apart from other Cirque du Soleil shows.
Sean McKeown: “Dralion” in its creative reality becomes a show of East meets West. Fusing the 3000-year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatic arts with the multidisciplinary approach of Cirque du Soleil, “Dralion” draws its inspiration from Eastern philosophy and its never-ending quest for harmony between humans and nature. The show’s name is derived from its two emblematic creatures: the dragon, symbolizing the East, and the lion, symbolizing the West.
AE: What responsibilities do you have working on the show?
GZ: I perform in hoop diving ... bamboo poles and skipping rope. … As a captain [of the hoop diving act], I am responsible for organizing the training, making certain adjustments to the act and communicating with our House troupe coach.
Marcus Perozzi: The show requires me to play percussion on my set-up in the pit for 90 percent of the show, and then feature on stage in the skipping finale act on three large custom-made Taiko drums as King Bamboo. … I get to wear a special costume and makeup which takes on average one hour to apply before a show. I am also … teaching and training acrobats and non-musicians from different cultures — including China, Japan, Spain, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia — to play the Taiko drums.
SM: My role is essentially to make sure that what is on stage is a very high quality, and to manage directly a team of 66 people — artists, physio, stage managers and wardrobe — to achieve a world-class level of show for the audience every night.
AE: What sort of outside experiences have you had which have prepared you for such a deeply artistic performance series?
GZ: I started acrobatic training in China in 1996. This long-term experience and training gave me a solid foundation for my performances in “Dralion.” The show offers me a great platform to perform happily and artistically.
MP: I fell in love with Taiko drumming [after college]. … I particularly developed my improvisation skills on hand drums and had to be flexible in swapping parts with other players. … This forced me to be aware of all parts of the music and elements of the choreography and ensemble positions. These skills have definitely better prepared me to understand, undertake and ready of any new challenges.
SM: I started working as a performer at the age of 12, in traditional pantomime, and then went on during the next 10 years to perform in various roles including, acting, singing, tap dancing and also as a musician — [a] flautist.
AE: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a member of a show and organization like Cirque du Soleil that has such an impressive history?
GZ: My performance skills can be strengthened every day on the stage while I am able to bring my passion and enthusiasm to the audience, which is truly what I want most. I have the most fun in the skipping act, as it allows me to interact with the audience. The act itself brings the whole show to a perfect climax at the end.
MP: What’s most rewarding for me is that I get to share my love for music and live performance with millions of people all over the world, through a dynamic and exciting show. … This experience has [also] encouraged me to learn Mandarin Chinese … [because] half of my fellow performing artists are from China.
SM: I love what the Cirque Du Soleil stands for … [in performing] with a hope to stimulate our audiences’ imaginations, awaken their senses, and open their feelings through a world where humans become super humans, and harmony lives alongside drama and storytelling.
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