Weaving the acrobatic finesse found in productions by Cirque du Soleil with the spectacle of light in all forms – from modest candlelight to explosive pyrotechnics – Vienna’s Phoenix Firedancers are bringing their larger-than-life production to Abu Dhabi this month.
The Illuminaire, The Fire and Light Spectacular features fire dancers, gymnasts and martial artists who will illuminate the stage at Emirates Palace on August 28 and 29.
The show was created in 2011 and debuted in the United States. “We have not stuck to the traditional circus,” says Marc Brouard, the managing director of Phoenix Firedancers and creator of the show. “Our show has dance, acrobatic circus, special effects and a fire extravaganza,” he says. “It is far better than Cirque,” he adds with a laugh.
Brouard admits that the Firedancers do not operate with the massive production budget that the Canadian theatre company enjoys – but says that they make up for that by providing a contemporary spin to their show. “Cirque does not do a great deal with fire and LED and we have taken that to the extreme,” says Brouard.
“It’s a very visual show, which viewers in Abu Dhabi may not be familiar with.”
Brouard says his production stands apart from other modern circus-style shows through its full use of the stage and cast members all at once. “Most often, circus is a collection of highly skilled individuals doing highly skilled individual acts, linked with a clown or compère,” he says.
“What we have is along the lines of a dance production. We like to have more artists on stage and mix it with circus acts, group choreographies and bring in the element of fire to make it more exciting.”
Although the concept of the show is not bound to a storyline, the thread that holds it all together is the creative use of light. The show features dancers interacting with candlelight, fire, lasers, glow sticks, projections lights, black light, LEDs and display pyrotechnics.
“We didn’t want to go with a full story because it is very difficult to sustain a good story and keep the beauty of the show together,” says Brouard. “Illuminaire is a vision of light and we have dance elements that celebrate that.”
The international cast includes a Finnish tricker, an Australian fire performer, gymnasts from Bulgaria and members of the Austrian national rhythmic gymnastics team.
“It is a very international mix of performers who will surprise at every step of the way,” says Brouard.
• The Illuminaire, The Fire and Light Spectacular will be at Emirates Palace on August 28 at 4pm and 8pm and on August 29 at 8pm. Tickets prices start from Dh95 at www.tixbox.com
aahmed@thenational.ae
