The last five years with Varekai

Having been on the road for just about five years now, Varekai and the cast and crew have changed in more ways than one! It may be difficult for many to recall where they were exactly five years ago, but five very special people were there at the beginning of Varekai and have remained with the show ever since.

Those five Varekai-tes reflect on their experience thus far.

Andrew, Artist, Aerial Straps Act

1) What is your favorite act in Varekai?
"The Aerial Straps act, of course! But I'm biased!"

2) What is your best memory from the past five years? Your biggest challenge?
"Performing the world premiere of Varekai in Montreal. It was the first time that my parents got to see my work. The biggest challenge would have to be learning to work with so many different cultures and work ethics. I think that I have become a lot more patient over the last five years."

3) In your opinion, how has the show or your act evolved in the past five years?
"The show has evolved a great deal since we premiered five years ago. It has matured well! The Straps act is a very different act than what left the Montreal studios. Johanne worked very hard with Kevin and me to get it to the level that you see today. Although she will be leaving us very soon, a big part of her will always remain with us and the act."

4) What has changed about you, personally, in the last five years?
"I think that I have become a lot more grounded and secure in myself. My priorities have drastically changed from what they used to be in the early days of Varekai. Now I know exactly what I want in life, and what it's going to take to get me there."

5) What do you expect to happen in the next five years with Varekai?
"I expect Varekai to continue doing what it does best. Amazing audiences night after night, worldwide."

Kevin, Artist, Aerial Straps Act

1) What is your favorite act in Varekai?
"If I had to pick one I would have to say Triple Trapeze. I often sit in the musicians' pit to watch the act live. They make it look so easy up there. Super sexy too, even from the back."

2) What is your best memory from the past five years? Your biggest challenge?
"Taking the Emmy we won for the "Fire Within" series onstage with us. A very proud
moment. The biggest challenge is being away from my husband so much. We miss
each other like crazy."

3) In your opinion, how has the show or your act evolved in the past five years?
"The show, along with the cast, has matured so much over the last five years. My act has become so much more than just an act within a show. It's now a part of me, and will be a part of me for the rest of my life. I'm so proud to know that I have been a part of creating a show that has had such a huge impact on all those who have seen it over the years."

4) What has changed about you, personally, in the last five years?
"I am now married, of course! I would also hope that I have matured a great deal as
a result of the last five years here with Varekai. I've been blessed to have the experiences that I have had as an artist. I have grown as a person also. Living on a tour like this gives you access to so many different cultures. How can you not grow from that?"

5) What do you expect to happen in the next five years with Varekai?
"Varekai will hopefully continue to evolve both artistically and acrobatically. I'm sure we'll have many more cast changes also. Each bringing their own personal flavors to this amazing show of ours."

Paul, Musician, Drums

1) What is your favorite act in Varekai?
"Icarian Games."

2) What is your best memory from the past five years? Your biggest challenge?
"Performing at all the promo events, especially the Jay Leno show and the Market Square promo gig in Boston, and keeping the show fresh after 2000 performances. I try to perform it every time as though it was the first and last time I was going to play it: consistent and concise."

3) In your opinion, how has the show or your act evolved in the past five years?
"The music has evolved a lot, mostly in reaction to the acts changing themselves—some for the better."

4) What has changed about you, personally, in the last five years?
"I love traveling more than ever, both on tour and during the breaks. I have matured musically and improved technically, and I have developed deeper friendships on tour."

5) What do you expect to happen in the next five years with Varekai?
"It will tour Europe and possibly Japan after that. It will be close to 4,000 shows by then."'

Paul, Teacher

1) What is your favorite act in Varekai?
"I love the Icarian Games act because two of my former students are in that act:
Ramon and Pedro Santos."

2) What is your best memory from the past five years?
"When I first saw the Varekai world premiere in Montreal, I had never seen a CDS show before. I was so impressed! I felt like a little boy again. Varekai reminded me what it was like to be a child again. Also, I feel so privileged to have begun a show while it was in production in Montreal. Five years later I still love my life on tour, thanks to Varekai!"
Your biggest challenge?
"Touring life takes a lot of adaptation to changing cities, hotel rooms, currencies, grocery stores, etc. Dominic Champagne, Varekai's Director, once told the artists that the three most important things while performing are emotion, emotion, and emotion. I, Paul Champaign, believe that the three most important aspects of touring are adaptation, adaptation, and adaptation."

3) In your opinion, how has the show or your act evolved in the past five years?
"I strongly believe that the show has matured a lot in five years. Different acts have been refined and improved upon. I still go to most of the premieres in each city and I'm still very impressed by the show. Often, the show seems to be flawless. It would be hard to think of a way of improving this show… it's so spectacular already!"

4) What has changed about you, personally, in the last five years?
"I'm so appreciative of everything this show has done for me. I have been able to adapt better to my ever-changing surroundings. I now have three suitcases on tour compared to a car full of belongings in the beginning. I have really improved my French since the beginning of the tour. My colleagues often think I'm from the province of Quebec but I'm really from Ontario. I have become more experienced in my teaching career. I now feel as though I am more open to different cultures and nationalities than I was before."

5) What do you expect to happen in the next five years with Varekai?
"Varekai will be changing continents from Australia to Europe soon. Everyone is really excited about going to Europe. I strongly believe Varekai will continue to impress and 'wow' devoted Cirque fans in well established Cirque markets and create new fans in new markets. I love this show and I know others who haven't already seen it will too."

Chantal, Publicist

1) What is your favorite act in Varekai?
"I can't pick one really. This is the show I've worked on the longest at Cirque du Soleil and one of the reasons I stay on is because I've loved the entire thing since the beginning."

2) What is you best memory from the past five years?
"Time has passed so fast and things have changed so much on tour since we left in 2002, a lot of it is now a huge blur! But some events or places have made a long-lasting impression. Professionally, the Montreal and Los Angeles premieres stand out for their great energy and being really special nights. The promo event in Miami was a lot of fun, especially the bus ride! On the life-on tour side, San Diego stands out for its pool and for Eric Lamme and I and our many margaritas!! On the groupie side of things, my visit on the set of 'Friends' was pretty much THE highlight so far of all my years at Cirque du
Soleil, having been a fan since its very beginning and being able to sit in
Central Perk was pretty incredible."

3) How has the show evolved in the past five years?
"After over 1,800 performances, it has definitely evolved. A few people have come and gone. It has certainly matured. And a lot of the acts have definitely found their rhythm and place."

4) What has changed about you, personally, in the last five years?
"I've reduced considerably in size! I've realized that I love touring and I love having access to a live production like this one every night. The bug that makes me want to move every few weeks is still very much there."

5) What do you expect to happen in the next five years with Varekai?
"More touring and many more happy customers! It is still a very young show and there's plenty more of the world for Varekai to bring its energy to."