[Media Review] Cirque Du Soleil : Totem

With the grand opening in Singapore on 28 October 2015 and under the famous trademark blue and yellow #BigTop right next to Marina Bay Sands, we were invited to the extraordinary Cirque Du Soleil: Totem premiere yesterday. TOTEM highlights a collection of spectacular acrobatic feats in an uplifting array of comedy, soul-touching theatrics and cutting-edge digital effects. 

Somewhere between science and legend, TOTEM depicts the journey of the evolution of mankind through its acrobatic acts – without any live animals involved. It traces the fascinating journey of human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The production have toured to 30 cities, with actors and musicians hailing from 17 different countries and notably seen by over 3.8 million people worldwide. 

TOTEM brings on a spectacular feast for the eyes from descending crystal man as their spotlight opening, artists embodying amphibian suits, cosmonauts effortlessly fly across planks, routine comedian acts, foot juggling (Crystal Lady), fixed trapeze duo, Native American wedding ceremony roller skaters, juggling fluorescent fluids scientist, unicyclists juggling metal bowls and constant live musical that kept everyone on their breath and feet thru out the whole performance – any more you will have to experience them yourself! 

Here’s some insides to our favorite segments of the performance!

Bars (Carapace) 

Performance opens with a giant turtle shell on the centre stage which represents the origins of life on earth. Audiences (and us!) were bedazzled by the descending Crystal Man twirling liked a disco ball and in a blink the creature’s shell was whisked away revealing an effervescent camp of artists embodying frogs, amphibians and fish awaiting to burst into a playful parallel bars performance. It was such a spectacular feast for our eyes as we watched how they hurl themselves across the bars with remarkable unison and non-misses. (or if they did, we won’t know.) 

Russian Bars 

With the scorpion bridge descending gradually to the center stage, trolled in the space cosmonauts in their luminescent costumes. There was not a tingle of ambivalent in the artists while they balanced and leaped with agility on the handheld bendy planks as if to arouse the human desire to escape the earth’s gravity. The jaw dropping leaps and infectious music left us in awe with all the artist’s polished tricks, which pays off in their performances thru their years of honing their skills. Totem is surely a spectacular not to be missed! 

Tips to note before you head down –

Transport – Be early if you are driving, and perched your cars by the open air car park to save on the parking rates. Or skip the wheels taking the public transport and alighting at the Bayfront MRT station (CE1, Exit B, C, D, E) along the Circle Line Extension. For more details click here on the varied mode of transport.

Bring along Jackets – In case the air con may be blasting cold inside the Big top, do bring along an extra jacket or coat in case it gets chilly for the 2 hour performance. 

Mobile toilets – Restroom are located outside the tents so don’t wait till the last minute before it gets urgent in between the performances, as you wouldn’t want to miss any part of it!