Cavalia Gallops Into Burbank

By December 1, 2010

When Winston Churchill exclaimed, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” he had no idea the concept could inspire something as stunning as Normand Latourelle’s spectacular Cavalia, which returns Jan. 19 to Los Angeles.

Latourelle, one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil, has translated his vision into a performance that continues to delight audiences around the globe. Subtitled “A Magical Encounter Between Horse and Man” and set on a 160-foot stage beneath one of the world’s largest traveling big tops, the show homage to the historical relationship between humans and equines in a way that combines the power and grace of the two- and four-legged athletes, with the horses often at total liberty.

A preview of the show in San Francisco reveals that it’s lost none of its ability to sweep spectators right into the show, not only by the 100 human and equine participants but through the use of a 210-foot projection screen that guides viewers through time and space—from the American Wild West to a medieval castle. Horses and riders gallop over four-foot-high obstacles, and riders canter astride two horses urging each other to jump higher. They do, as one rider leaps off the horse’s back to clear a bar at shoulder height and land standing on the backs of two horses running side by side. Another rider gallops her perfectly matched pair with one foot on each horse while controlling the riderless team in front of her.

In the blink of an eye, the audience is transported deep into the woods. Lush music plays, and soon a herd of gray Arabians trots onto the stage. They are unfettered and frolic completely free, spooking, scooting and playing until trainer Sylvia Zerbini enters and silently puts them through a series of maneuvers. They swirl around her at the canter, stopping and turning, occasionally guided by hand signals and Zerbini’s soft voice. After several mesmerizing minutes, the horses gallop to the back of the stage, circle back and stop, heads draped over her shoulder contentedly.

As ethereal music continues to play hauntingly in the background, one can’t help but wonder if what’s been seen was real or a dream.

Then it’s on to an enchanted snowstorm, with riders and snow swooping like birds onto the backs of horses. Spectators experience the feeling of flying, as riders sail through the air on trapezes, vaulting on and off their mounts and making it look as easy as walking.

Throughout the show, six musicians coax the audience along, asking that we suspend our disbelief and surrender to the power of horse. The music is pivotal in maintaining the dreamlike state Latourelle sought for the show. The epic role of the horse throughout the history of man is evident in the use of many different styles of riding, from classical dressage to jumping to jousting, and the 12 featured breeds.

Laturelle, who says he knew nothing about horses when he conceived of Cavalia, seems to have connected with his subject in both a primal and transcendent way, showing horses and riders trusting each other and working together in intimate partnership, while spotlighting the swirling power of these gentle beasts, so willing to work and seemingly capable of deep spiritual bonds that go beyond words and the routine of drilled tricks.

Cavalia is constantly evolving, and Latourelle explained that only two of the riders and four of the horses are original members from the original 2004 show. He encourages the performers to bring their unique perspectives to Cavalia, and they are all responsible for training their own horses. Trick rider Katherine Cox explained many on staff are trained in Haute Ecole, while others are vaulters or trick riders.

Cox described practicing her speedy dismounts and side riding, explaining that she counts strides, as in jumping, to measure where she is on the stage to get the timing right. She also keeps her horses barefoot because when her head is close to the hind feet she has on occasion accidently been clipped. “Our horses, like all of us, put more energy into the shows than the practices,” she said. “They move to another level when they are performing in front of an audience.” Their shiny coats and happy dispositions speak volumes about the level of care they receive on a daily basis.

As exciting as the stunts and acrobatics are, it is the horses that are the real stars of the show. The appeal of Cavalia is visceral and speaks to our souls. The show keeps breaking records wherever it goes, and there is a good reason more than 2.5 million people have seen it.

For tickets or information, go to www.cavalia.net.

Short URL: https://theequestriannews.com/?p=2228