Cirque du Soleil’s new show Kooza returns to the fundamentals of circus as it explores themes of identity and self-discovery. Out troupe member Joey Arrigo, who plays the Trickster, shares his journey with Cec Busby.
With a reputation for pulse-racing performance, any new show by Cirque Du Soliel is wrapped in expectations by an audience eager to be wowed. With Kooza, their eighth big top spectacular, the company has set the bar even higher.
Marking a return to the intimate and fundamentally human elements of circus – acrobatics and clowning – Kooza weaves a colourful pastiche of breathtaking performance and theatrical ingenuity as it explores a tale of self discovery through a comic kingdom of eccentric characters.
Leading us on our journey is the Trickster played by performer Joey Arrigo, who bursts onto the scene like a jack-in-the-box full of vibrant energy and high jinks.
Arriga, who said he realised he wanted to dance “pretty much from the womb”, has been performing with Cirque Du Soleil for the past two years. Kooza marks his first show with company and saw the performer transition from a dancer to an acrobat slash actor.
“This is my first experience having a character,” he tells SX. “I think what I’ve taken away from it is that anything I do with acting or dancing now I will think about what the intention is behind a movement – whether that is an emotion or an object or a thought process.”
Performing the same character for eight shows a week can be wearing for even the most seasoned artist but Arrigo says the revolving door of Cirque Du Soleil performers has allowed him to keep his role as the Trickster alive. “The artist turnover changes a performance – and that keeps it fresh and we’ve had different artistic directors who bring new perspectives.”
He says being a part of the Cirque Du Soleil touring machine is like being part of a family.
“You have your mums and dads and brothers and sisters. Sometimes you want to scratch out your sister’s eyes but you still love them. It can be challenging because you do everything together, but where still a family,” he muses.
Cirque du Soleil has always been very embracing of all lifestyles and as a gay performer Arrigo says he’s always felt welcomed and supported by the company.
“In Uruguay we had a premiere party and I decided to wear some high heel shoes – and they were amazing and I worked those heels all night,” he laughs. “And my biggest reaction was few raised eyebrows from some of my circus brothers.”
Arrigo says in the world of circus it’s pretty much anything goes.
“You spend such a lot of time together even if you have differences [in opinions] it doesn’t matter. Everyone just accepts you for who you are.”
It’s a theme that also runs through the show as it explores ideas of fear, identity, recognition and power.
Assistant artistic director Chris Houston tells SX with every Cirque show they want to push the boundaries even further.
“How do we take it to the next level? We’re always asking that – whether it’s about the show’s themes or pushing the artists to take it up a notch.”
When Cirque du Soliel first came about there were very few competitors in the human circus space, but Houston says having the best artists in the world allows the company to remain a cut above the rest.
“We attract Olympic gymnasts, world champion divers – the best of the best, so when the talent comes to us and shows what they can do, we develop the best materials to advance their skills.”
He thinks with Kooza the company has returned to its traditional roots.
“We have classic death-defying acts but it also has a touching caring message. To have that effect on the public, to blow them away but also give them a heart-warming story is beautiful.”
{ SOURCE: Gay News Network AU | http://goo.gl/KY0FR5 }
