Cirque du Soleil smash hit show brings its ‘wow’ factor to the Arena

Feb 19 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Cirque Du Soliel comes to Liverpool _320

TICKETS go on sale on Friday for what is being billed as one of the most stunning visual spectacles around.

The Cirque du Soleil entertainment group is bringing its first live arena event to the Echo Arena Liverpool in March, promising a surreal, multi-sensory mix of theatre, dance, international music, stunning acrobatics and video projections.

The show, called Delirium, was one of the top 10 grossing US concerts of last year alongside The Police, Genesis, Justin Timberlake, and Rod Stewart, and has also sold out in more than 55 cities across the world.

Contrary to the traditional Cirque shows that play over multiple weeks in Big Tops, Delirium is being staged in large- scale arenas for only a few nights per city.

Tim Banfield, general manager of the Echo Arena, said: “This is a major coup for the city, hosting the only 2008 dates in the North West for what will be a truly amazing experience and a great addition to Liverpool’s cultural year.”

Cirque du Soleil joined forces with live entertainment company Live Nation to create the show. Phil Bowdery, vice president of touring at Live Nation, said: “Delirium is unlike any show you have ever seen in your life. It’s awe- inspiring, innovative, and breathtaking.

“This unique form of visual, musical, and artistic entertainment pushes the boundaries of what people expect to see in an arena. The show has an enormous ‘wow’ factor and spectacular style.”

The production features a cast of 36 artists comprising eight musicians, six singers, 11 dancers, eight acrobats and three main characters.

A 130ft stage honeycombed with traps and flying rigs will enable actors to materialise from the depths, or float across an illuminated sky. There are also 540ft of projection surfaces, the equivalent of four Imax screens.

Projected images range from pre-recorded visuals to manipulated live feeds that create interactions between the show and the audience.

The two shows at the Liverpool Echo Arena take place on March 25 and 26. Tickets are priced at £45 and £55 (subject to booking fee) and go on sale this Friday at 9am.

They are available by contacting the Live Nation Ticket Line on 0844 576 5483, or the Echo Arena box office on 0844 8000 400.

alanweston