ROPING THEM IN!! 25 years of Cirque du Soleil celebrated as the Big Top goes up in Brisbane!
Cirque du Soleil’s Robbie Wilson from Brisbane is one of the key people behind the latest show LUZIA that opens in Brisbane on September 25.
But you won’t see him on stage in the magnificent costumes and makeup for which the company is so famous. Rather, he stays high above the show, in the roof, where he rigs the acrobatic equipment for the ‘fly’ acts.
IMAGES HERE
The iconic Big Top was raised today next to Royal Queensland Golf Club and beside the famous Gateway Bridge in preparation for the Brisbane engagement of LUZIA. And front and centre at THE PUSH (where 100 men and women push the external poles out and up, forming the perimeter of the Big Top) was BRISBANE BORN and bred Acrobatic Rigger, Robbie Wilson! He has been with Cirque du Soleil for over 20 years and now travels exclusively with LUZIA. This is the first show he has been with that has landed in his hometown, so he’s thrilled and excited! (there’s an interview with him in the VNR link below).
His fellow Acrobatic rigger is Denise Wal, a former acrobat who Robbie used to rig for in the Big Top show QUIDAM. She was in the Spanish Web performance. After 10 years as a performer, Denise trained to become an Acrobatic Rigger and now works alongside Robbie!
When LUZIA opens it marks 25 years of touring to Queensland, with the show the 10th Big Top show to come to Brisbane/
A few facts about the LUZIA Big Top:
- The Big Top seats more than 2,500 people.
- The entire site set-up takes 8 days.
- The Big Top stands at 19 meters high and is 52 meters in diameter.
- The 4 steel masts each stand at 25 meters tall.
- 550 pegs are required to hold the big top firmly.
- The Big Top can withstand winds up to 75 mph.
- The white-coloured canvas helps counter the effects of the sun, thereby reducing energy consumption and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
- LUZIA travels with close to 2,000 tons of equipment
ABOUT LUZIA:
LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil plays in Brisbane, under the iconic Big Top next to the Royal Queensland Golf Club, off Curtin Ave East from September 25 to November 10. This stunning new show will deliver unforgettable experiences for both first-time and seasoned Cirque du Soleil devotees, in the state that shares a special love affair with this world famous company. 2024 marks 25 years of Cirque du Soleil touring to Australia. Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, LUZIA invites people to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light (“luz” in Spanish) quenches the spirit, and rain (“lluvia”) soothes the soul. In a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA takes audiences on a surrealistic journey through a vibrant world filled with wonders, playfulness and striking artistry. Smoothly passing from an old movie set to the ocean, to a smoky dance hall or an arid desert, LUZIA cleverly brings to the stage multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity. Rich in awe-inspiring moments, LUZIA enchants by incorporating rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes – a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production.
Fun Facts:
- LUZIA premiered in April 2016 and is Cirque du Soleil’s 38th original production since 1984.
- The word LUZIA is a mix of the word ‘’Luz’’ in Spanish that means light and the word ‘’lluvia’’ that means rain.
- LUZIA is the first touring production to incorporate rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes.
- More than 4.5 million spectators around the world have already seen the awe-inspiring acrobatics and uniqueness of LUZIA.
- In total there are 1,000 pieces of costume seen on stage in LUZIA.
- LUZIA travels with a team of 120 people, including 47 artists, from 26 different countries.
- LUZIA is the 10th Big Top show to visit Australia in 25 years.
Tickets for LUZIA's Brisbane shows at www.cirquedusoleil.com/Luzia and tickets are selling fast!
ROBBIE WILSON INTERVIEW HERE: VNR Interview Package
SHOW FOOTAGE HERE https://media.cirquedusoleil.com/portals/25gcdno5/LuziaPRMaterial
Media Contact: KATH ROSE 0416 291 493 kath@kathrose.com
Contact details:
KATH ROSE 0416 291 493 kath@kathrose.com
