The Incredible Costumes of TOTEM – Cirque Du Soleil by Inspiring Wit
Come with us backstage on Cirque du Soleil’s latest offering to hit Perth, Totem and take a closer look at the shows 750 costumes!
Cirque du Soleil have set up camp once again in Perth with their latest offering Totem, written and directed by Robert Lepage. On Thursday night I was kindly offered the opportunity to head backstage after the show to meet with some of its cast members.
Totem, set on an island shaped like a giant turtle, traces humankind’s journey from amphibian to our quest for flight, with a host of unique stories and characters along the way. Exploring primitive and modern myths, the evolution of our species and ongoing curiosity, Totem is a vivid and richly spectacular show.
Having studied costume design years ago, I was excited to learn that the Totem costumes were designed by Australian designer Kym Barrett and keen to take a look at their incredible detail. We were led backstage where we were able to take a peak at some of the props, costumes and set pieces and meet with three cast members who generously waited patiently for us in full costume and makeup to answer our questions. Some of the 46 cast members worked-out after the show, taking the shows fitness inspiration to the next level.
Barrett had her work cut out for her researching and designing the 750 costumes authentically representing many traditional cultural and tribal designs from the Young American Dancer, a flamenco dancer and toreador to amphibians, fish, apes and a LOT more. The Crystal Man’s costume alone is hand sewn with over 4500 Swarovski crystals, mirrors and sequins and is carefully checked over after each performance. Concentrating on the treatment of fabrics Barrett adopted advanced printing techniques and fluorescent pigments using some of the patented Cirque du Soleil fabrics developed in Montreal.
The performers kindly chatted to us about the audition and training process, doing their own makeup and life on the road. Hoop dancer Eric Hernandez, later kindly sent me an email with the links to his YouTube channel CirqueLIFE which is an amazing insight into the world of a Cirque performer. The vlog and videos feature everything from how Eric does his stage makeup (which having referenced typical Cirque contoured stage makeup in some of my own costume design work, was an amazing video to watch- find it here) to doing a day of media interviews to his cast mate Daniel’s crazy love for chocolate!
Totem is showing at Belmont Racecourse until September 27th book tickets here.
