Odysseo, Cavalia’s new larger-than-life theatrical production, greets Northwest audiences from its temporary home at Marymoor Park Feb. 19 through March 9. The critically-acclaimed equestrian spectacular features 66 horses and 52 talented artists, amazing spectators of all ages since its premiere in 2011.
In this two-and-a-half-hour show, Cavalia marries the equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects at implausible levels. Odysseo is performed under the world’s largest touring big top – the size of a 10-story building – with some 10,000 tons of rock, earth and sand sculpted to create a space where human and horse come to play together.
The storyline honors the beauty and harmony of the ancient relationship between horse and man. It leads the viewer on a great journey in another world – a world of dreams – where some of the planet’s most unforgettable landscapes are discovered.
Seattle’s Child had a chance to catch up with one of the youngest talents in the show, 18-year-old Uriel Chartrand-Ardail. He is an acrobat and rider in Odysseo, and his love for horses grew organically as he worked on the show.
In Odysseo, you’ll find Chartrand-Ardail on the jumping stilts, performing on the mast of a rotating carrousel, suspended from aerial hoops, and in his personal favorite scene with acrobatic cossack (or trick) riding.
When asked what he likes best about performing, Chartrand-Ardail immediately replies, “the freedom you get on stage. It’s a place where you get to show off what you know how to do, and people are there to see you do it, so there is motivation coming from different angles.”
Chartrand-Ardail is no stranger to performing. He grew up in an acrobat family in Las Vegas, started performing at age 7 and, by the age of 9, was part of a Cirque du Soleil show.
With Odysseo, however, “the show changes every day with the horses. We have to stay much more vigilant. It’s more rewarding to work with huge animals.”
“Families will love the imagery in the show; you get to visit fantastical new lands,” says Chartrand-Ardail. “Seeing the horses gallop free is a magical image for kids. It’s a spectacular show that’s good for all ages. Anyone can come see it and take away something they appreciate.”
Odysseo has been performed throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States for some 1,000,000 fans. To learn more about the show and its Seattle-area performances, visit www.cavalia.net or call 1-866-999-8111.
Photo credits: The Tribe photo by François Bergeron. The Carosello photo by Shelley Paulson. The Travelers photo by François Bergeron.
