Entertainment News: Backstage at Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Toruk: The First Flight’

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CHICAGO – The legend of “Avatar,” one of the most popular movies of all time, has expanded to the Cirque du Soleil creative universe. “Toruk: The First Flight” is the latest touring show for the iconic performance company, and tells the story of the flying creature from the original film. The show is at the United Center in Chicago, now through Sunday, August 7th. For more information, including ticket purchasing, click here.

Taking Flight: The Elaborate Puppetry of Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Toruk: The First Flight’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com got a rare backstage look at the show’s scope and mechanical innovations. The elaborate costumes are both invented and familiar from James Cameron’s popular 2009 film. The puppetry, video projection and movement artistry from the cast is familiar to anyone who has experienced the Cirque Du Soleil company, which has produced international entertainment since 1984. After working with individual music acts like The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, this is Cirque’s first foray into film adaptation.

Familiar Costuming from ‘Avatar’ Highlights ‘Toruk: The First Flight’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

The story is set thousands of years before the events depicted in “Avatar,” and is narrated by a “Na’vi” storyteller, the familiar blue tribe of people from the original film. The director and creator of “Avatar,” James Cameron, approved all the story and additional costume elements of the Cirque du Soleil story extension, and consulted on many aspects of the video and music elements.

The Cast Rehearses a Crucial Element of ‘Toruk: The First Flight’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

One of the innovative tools in the show will be a special App, that will allow the audience to interact with the production. The App will enhance the overall show experience and enable audience members to be a part of the action before, during and after the performance.

“We incorporate a lot of acrobatics, and artistically create movements that are distinctly like the Cirque du Soleil style, as well as projecting all the familiar parts of the ‘Avatar’ film,” said Peter Kismartoni, an Australian member of the cast.

By PATRICK McDONALD Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com