Prior to Tuesday night’s Cirque du Soleil TOTEM premier in Sydney, KarryOn was invited behind the scenes of the star-studded show.
Cirque du Soleil which is now a major Quebec-based organisation, has come along way since the group was formed in 1984 by 20 street performers. The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries. With its award-winning show TOTEM, Cirque du Soleil will be touring Australia across Sydney, Melbroune, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth from October 2014 to July 2015.
The opening act includes two gymnastic bars – unique for male acrobats to master. Pic: Matt Leedham
The acrobats are rehearsing and training before the Sydney premier. Pic: Matt Leedham
This week KarryOn was invited behind the scenes of the TOTEM production to meet the acrobats, see them rehearse and train.
The atmosphere behind the tent was incredible and it didn’t take long to understand how well the acrobats got along and how close they all seem to be. We had a chat to Umihiko Miya who is the acrobatic captain of the High Bar opening act in the show. Umihiko started with gymnastics aged 5 and it’s evident that acrobatics is in his blood. In addition to performing 8 to 10 times a week on stage, Umi leads a team of 5 artists and supports them in their individual training in order to motivate and encourage them to grow.
Interview with Umihiko Miya (Carapaca)
Umihio Miya is an artist and the acrobatic captain of the High Bar opening act.
1) What do you most love about being part of the show?
Doing acrobatics, which is my passion. I am really happy when I’m on stage and I love travelling.
2) Tell us about your character – Carapace
The story is about the evolution and my character Carapace is in the opening act of the show.
3) How did you get into gymnastics?
When I was 5 I started with gymnastics, I did other sports as well but I realised that gymnastics was the sport I excelled in so it was natural for me to continue with gymnastics it simply turned out to be the best sport for me.
4) What does being in Cirque mean to you?
Cirque is more of a business, I never initially thought about joining a circus. But I didn’t want to be fat and wanted to stay in shape, work with my body and continue to challenge myself.
5) What can we expect at TOTEM?
There is a big bridge, a high-level of acrobats compare to other shows and the story line is very beautiful.
6) What’s your daily routine?
I wake up around 9-10am and start the day with a nice coffee and breakfast. Then I usually relax before I start the training at 2pm which is followed by stretching and then make-up and getting into the costume before the show. I normally go to bed around 11.30pm after the show.
7) Your favourite Cirque show?
I would say my favourite shows are ‘O’ in Las Vegas and ‘Love’ which is also in Las Vegas.
8) Is this your first time in Australia?
Yes this is the first time for me in Australia. I haven’t had a chance to discover Sydney yet but what I’ve seen so far has been nice.
9) What are you looking forward to seeing while you’re here?
I would love to visit The Blue Mountains and of course the Great Barrier Reeef. I have an open-water scuba diving certificate so it would be fantastic to do some diving up there.
10) When you’re not on tour where’ your favourite cities in the world?
I love New York, Berlin and Queenstown in New Zealand. The cities have great culture and history. I also used to live in San Francisco which is one of my favourite cities too.
11) What do you do for downtime?
I like to chill out, go to the beach, go for a nice brunch but I also like to stay physically active.
12) What’s your top travel tips?
Be light, be flexible! Don’t pack too many bags, don’t think too much, just do it!
What’s your favourite Cirque Du Soleil show?
All pics by: Matt Leedham
The CIRQUE DU SOLEIL – TOTEM – 2014/2015 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Sydney – From October 28 2014, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. Sydney season extended from October 28 2014 – January 4 2015.
Tickets for these new Sydney performances of TOTEM will be available from 9am on Friday August 29 online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem or by phone on toll free 0011-800-1-548-0000 (12pm-10pm Monday-Friday).
More information about special Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve performances to be added to the schedule will be communicated later this Spring.
Melbourne – From January 21 2015, Flemington Racecourse
Brisbane – From April 10 2015, Northshore Hamilton
Adelaide – From June 11 2015, The Plateau in Tampawardli
Perth – From July 31 2015, Belmont Racecourse