Expérience
Chinese Poles

Chinese arts meets Cirque du Soleil. "Égypte," sets up the this act, featuring one of the most mysterious entrances of characters ever seen. With a snake charmer-like theme, the artists who are about to perform the Chinese Poles act come slithering from all parts of the theatre, which includes climbing down the walls. They appear to be looking at the audience through ghostly masks that unexpectedly turn out to be on the backs of their heads. An echoing double-time bass line signals the beginning of the Chinese Poles act, this transforms to a military march-like feel. Two accompanying songs switch back and forth between René Dupéré's "Rondo" and Benoît Jutras' "Double Face." The straight 4/4 time signature follows the performers steady pace of climbing and jumping between the poles.

One by one they begin their climb up the four Chinese poles in the center of the stage. Now, very much like Saltimbanco, the 20 men and women of this troupe jump, swing and fall their way into your hearts as they perform such depth defying acts of gravity defiance and show why strength and balance is a must, but unlike Saltimbanco, one man climbs to the top of the poles and performs an act of balance very high in the air!

Features text written by Paul Roberts, as published in the "Fascination! Newsletter".