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New York’s Big Apple Circus Raises The Curtain On Mid-East Debut |
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Gravity-Defying Acrobats and Side-Splitting Comedy Clowns Take ADNEC’s Centre StageIt’s a case of ‘come one, come all’ to the greatest show this summer, as New York’s critically-acclaimed Big Apple Circus raises the curtain on its Middle East debut tomorrow (Friday). With an international cast of leading performers, trapeze artists, a hilarious clown and a never-before-seen acrobatic display, the Big Apple Circus is expected to have audiences ‘on the edge of their seats’. It will run at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre’s (ADNEC) Abu Dhabi Hall until August 3. The Big Apple Circus gained international notoriety as the opening act on Britney Spears’ phenomenally successful The Circus Starring: Britney Spears world tour. The show’s core spirit remains the focal point for the Abu Dhabi event. Speaking at ADNEC’s specially-designed circus ring, Guillaume Dufresnoy, Big Apple Circus’ Artistic Director, said it re-engages audiences with the true essence of the circus. Dufresnoy is confident the circus will be a major hit with visitors to the Summer in Abu Dhabi family festival currently running in the UAE capital. “The beauty of this show is that it is classical circus as it was meant to be, with dazzling acts that can be fully appreciated by audiences completely immersed in the whole spectacle,” said Dufresnoy, who won a Silver Medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris in 1986 and has more than three decades of performing experience. “We live in a time when computers can create special effects and graphics for anything, that is not what the Big Apple Circus is about. It is about allowing the performers to take centre stage and wowing audiences with their raw talent in an interactive and engaging setting. It is contemporary performances combined with solid production values and above all else, positive audience interaction. “It will be a pure emotional rollercoaster, as we take the audience on a journey they won’t forget.” The specially-tailored Abu Dhabi show will feature 17 leading performers from three continents, ensuring audiences will be enthralled for every second of the 90 minute-long production. As a special treat, Argentina’s Jonatan Riquelme has chosen Summer in Abu Dhabi for the world premier of his gravity-defying act, where he will balance on a rolla bolla (a distinctive dual-cylinder platform) that swings from a trapeze. Adding to the show’s aerial master-class will be the Flying Poemas, a quartet of trapeze artists from Australia, Mexico and Argentina, whose daring acts have enthralled audiences at Las Vegas’ famed ‘Circus Circus Hotel’ for years. Their legendary triple summersault is set to be the Abu Dhabi showstopper. They will be joined by the Espana troupe, whose performances on a 10 metre high spinning double caged Ferris wheel have captured the imaginations of millions worldwide. For those wanting comic relief, Big Apple Circus welcomes back Gordoon the Clown for the Abu Dhabi spectacle. Gordoon has performed across the globe with Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and at Walt Disney World Resorts and is guaranteed to leave audiences reeling with laughter. “The clown’s role in a circus keeps audiences distracted and helps relieve tension so Abu Dhabi show-goers are going to be in for a real treat, I have some gags for them, from a toilet paper extravaganza to a hilarious bubble act. A clown has to employ the full emotional range from the completely absurd to the meaningful. It’s going to be a real experience, especially when I go into the crowd,” said Gordoon, widely regarded as a pioneer of ‘modern clownery’. Gordoon is being joined by the Gentleman Juggler, who skills have earned him a Guinness World Record, and AJ Silver, whose unique act - combining trick roping, bullwhip artistry and boleadoras - has been performed around the world and on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Late Night with David Letterman and many other US television shows. Big Apple Circus tickets are AED 200 for adults and AED 75 for children under 12-years and can be bought at ADNEC or via www.boxofficeme.com. As part of ADTA’s ‘one-for-one’ promotion around Summer in Abu Dhabi, for every ticket bought, another one is given for free, meaning twice the fun for families. Ticket holders will also be entered into a draw to win a luxury Chevrolet car. The show begins daily at 8pm, with doors opening from 7.30pm onwards. For more information, please log onto www.summerinabudhabi.com |
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