Working in the entertainment industry, especially for large-scale acrobatic circus shows had been my life’s dream. A dream which I had, over the years, painstakingly realized. I had found the backstage experience exhilarating and highly addictive. Magical. In the end, I decided to say goodbye. Yet, how do you let go of something that lives and breathes in every fibre of your body?
On 30ieth September 2022, we sadly had to say goodbye to Franco Dragone, a brilliant showmaker, a key figure of the legendary Cirque du Soleil, a cultural entrepreneur, and the founder of the Franco Dragone Entertainment Group. Yet Franco was so much more than just that. As a creator, he was in a class of his own and inspired many with his extraordinary, visionary entertainment projects. He created his shows with so much imagination and intense love to detail, his audiences were enchanted the world over.
The Big Blue by Luc Besson. Have you seen it? Do you remember it? For me it was probably THE movie which impacted my life the most. In the long run, it permanently changed the trajectory of my existence. Brought me to the oceans and from there to places and jobs I would have never even known existed.
Cécilia Arnould-Rachner is a creative live entertainment director, who is currently working to support Ukrainian artists and their families. Cécilia began working with Dragone during The House of Dancing Water production, assisting the creative and project director, then worked closely with board members in Belgium. Later, she became production manager and the main casting director. […]
Working for Cirque du Soleil is a dream many of us working for contemporary circus shows secretly (or not so secretly) harbor. I have dreamt about it for thirty years. Not just dreamt about it but worked towards it as well. However, as of now, my love affair still seems to be rather one-sided. This is a frank look at how the journey has been for me. Where it will lead is of course still an open book… and, as they say, it’s not the goal but the journey that matters in the end…
Michelle Eve Wuthrich worked as an acrobat for some of the greatest circus shows on the globe. Her skillset is so versatile that for a while she worked as a house troupe member for the aquatic show The House of Dancing Water in Macau. There she did everything from dance choreographies to aerial to high diving. Then, about 4 years ago, Michelle decided to leave the world onstage. Now she is building an outdoor adventure business together with her husband in Guatemala. In this interview, Michelle tells us about her new home, her motivations and vision.
Mylena Leclercq is as innovative and spirited as they come. She has lived and traveled all over the world, absorbing and learning many different dance styles along the way. At the same time, Mylena is also a gifted artistic swimmer. She loves to experiment and combine different styles of performance. In this interview, she tells us more about her life and career path thus far, as well as about her hopes and inspirations.
The House of Dancing Water in Macau, another one of the true legends in live entertainment, is no more. The show might re-open in a different form at some point in the future. However, with Covid still active around the globe, nothing is sure for now… except one thing: even if Franco Dragone’s masterpiece will be revived in the coming years, we will never see it again in the majestic grandeur and uniqueness of how it was originally created.
Xavier Yu has owned his own production company in Hong Kong for twenty years. Starting out in the radio industry, he slowly but surely found his passion in theatre. But Xavier is not just one of the most experienced entertainment professionals of his generation. He also cares to make a difference through the events and shows he produces.
From 2011 to 2013, I studied Theatre, Stage & Events Management at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Never would I have expected my graduation from the Academy in August 2013 to turn out to be a mini-revolution. As one of only very few foreigners who graduated that day, I was at a loss and could only try to do my best to be respectful and not get in the way.
Maggi Sietsma started out as a ballet dancer. Over the years, she went from being a dancer to being a choreographer, university lecturer, company manager, advisor, and artistic director. In August 2020, Maggi and I had the opportunity to meet in the South of France for an interview. In this article, discover more about her fascinating career path.
Acrobat Lionel Zalachas remembers Le Rêve. His odyssey begins in 2009, when he is hired for the creation of The House of Dancing Water and first dives into the aquatic show universe of Franco Dragone. Everyone talks about Le Rêve, the legend in Las Vegas. It seems unreal, far away. Then, five years later, he is hired to perform in Le Rêve. The legend, the dream is becoming a reality. Here is Lionel’s story…
Hello, I’m David Santos. I am an Acro Dancer Generalist profile that combines classical dance techniques and modern with precision gymnastics movements and circus techniques. My career as an artist began in Brazil, where I started gymnastics training in Sao Paulo at the age of ten. Nine years and many competitions later, I earned a scholarship to study at the National Circus School in Rio de Janeiro, where I graduated with a degree in Circus Performance with a focus on the handstand, acrobatics, and contortion.
There are times when you find yourself just sitting in the grass or on a lawn, facing your new life. Some memories magically reappear in your head. Magical images of the most unforgettable events of your life in a whirlwind. There is one in particular that has forever marked my career as a young props designer.
Hi, my name is Sophie Brundish. I am a ex-artistic gymnast who found her way into the Circus world. I then found high diving due to being part of the giant water show The House of Dancing Water in Macau. I competed as a Red Bull Cliff Diver, and competed for Great Britain in the FINA High Diving World cup.
I find inspiration in the people that I artistically connect with, their energies, skills, qualities inspire me. I also try to go see shows, exhibitions, concerts at least once a week to stay connected to the world.
I’m Dance Captain for the soon to be premiered MGM / SPP show circus show ‘Destiny’ in Macau but in general, I honestly find it a bit hard to pin myself down! I’m first and foremost a contemporary dancer, choreographer and movement director, but I work predominately in large scale circus shows as an acrobatic generalist/dancer.
My name is Ryan and I’m 21 years old. I was introduced to gymnastics at a young age and as a teenager I competed in both Sports acrobatics and Diving. I eventually decided to focus on sports acrobatics and won medals at the European and World championships competing for Great Britain.
So, what are show divers, and what are their responsibilities? People’s overall confusion is forgivable, considering that worldwide there are only a few hundred professional divers who work in theatrical shows.
One of the reasons I love to perform is for the audience; to watch their faces light up every night is so special. To see how your performance can affect someone’s life is such a blessing and I hope I inspire others by doing what I do each and every day. I also love the feeling of completing a good act and giving all my heart to both training and performance; it completes me.
I’m a dancer born in the South of France.
I started my career after school at 18 years old in a French musical in Paris. I worked for different events and TV Shows, and in 2012 I started a tour in Asia with another musical, Notre Dame de Paris.
My first steps into the show business were in Las Palmas. While there is not much to do there, I was lucky to find my first gymnastics coach. I was on the Canary Island gymnastics team and I participated in international competitions and festivals. I learned a good base of gymnastics, but it was not what I was looking for.
Ok so I’m going to put it out there and perhaps I’m going to get my hand slapped for it. Even some of my fellow TheatreArtLife contributors are going gasp and shake their heads at me. (I’m looking at you Mena Buscetto). Perhaps I’ve lived in Asia too long and I’m tired of fighting the good fight but I’m going to say it……. why can’t audience members take photos during a theatre show???
Typhoon Hato hit Macau on August 23, 2017. This is a first hand account of the superstorm and the devastation that it caused. “Honestly you can just go outside and take a walk. It’s not that bad, it’ll just be either windy, rainy or a bit of both.” This was me telling my new cast what their first typhoon, named Hato, will be like as I’m showing them a video of three guys that I used to work with walking around Taipa in bikinis looking for margaritas during a previous T8 tropical cyclone warning.
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