Big top comes with tent full of celebration

By GREGG WYCHERLEY

The circus is in town - but it's a far cry from the clowns, chimpanzee tea parties and dancing elephants that many New Zealanders grew up with.

Last night, Cirque du Soleil raised its Grand Chapiteau (big top) at Quay Park, next to the Auckland Railway Station, to prepare for the opening of its Alegria show in January.

After entertaining five million spectators across four continents, Alegria - Spanish for elation, joy and jubilation - will premiere in Auckland as part of a three-year tour encompassing New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and other Asian cities.

The show is an eclectic spectacle featuring a cast of 56 performers and musicians from 13 countries, including acrobats, flaming-knife jugglers, clowns and a Mongolian contortionist.

Spokeswoman Reggie Lyons said the show had wide-ranging appeal but was difficult to explain.

"If it could be explained it wouldn't be worth seeing," she said.

"It's a mix of circus art, live theatre and live music.

"It's very emotional and different to a traditional circus."

The touring circus comprises a travelling village which is almost self-sufficient, with its own kitchen, physiotherapy facilities, offices, warehouses, laundry and generators.

Its only outside needs are water and telecommunications.

A school also travels with the company, and three teachers instruct the 18 lucky circus kids, five of whom are Russian or Mongolian performers in the show.

More than 70 containers carry the 800 tonnes of equipment that make up the village and a permanent team of 141 accompany the tour.

Cirque du Soleil has two other shows touring simultaneously in Europe and North America, and to date the company has performed before more than 23 million spectators around the world.

While the show sounds spectacular, setting up the village and 2500-seat main tent is a feat in itself.

More than 70 people are required to set up the Grand Chapiteau, which is 50m in diameter and 25m high, and the stage alone weighs a staggering 51 tonnes.

Tickets range from $49 to $89 for adults and $29 to $69 for children and are available from Ticketek.