Cuban circus troupe wows audience at Katara
Saturday, 08 OctoberBY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: Twenty-seven member circus troupe Circuba cast a spell on hundreds of spectators, mostly children yesterday at the Katara Drama Theatre as a highlight of the first Latin American Cultural Festival (LACF) in Qatar.
Cuba’s national circus Circuba’s two shows proved a crowd-puller with some families going home disappointed as the venue ran out of seats and ticket sales to watch the acclaimed performance of the group recognised by Unesco shot up giving an early sign of the festival’s success.
Acrobats, clowns, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, contortionists, jugglers and other stunt-oriented artists brought smiles on the young crowd. Their virtually flawless balancing acts were splendid and heart-stopping, revealing their strength, agility and expertise after years of training in circus arts.
The 90-minute show was not simply a display of magic tricks and exceptional balancing, strength and innovation in circus but an art form as the performances were further enhanced by their colourful costumes, dance and music which were purely Latin American.
It was also made interactive with the participation of children from the audience having them experience the show up close as they were invited onstage by some of the performers.
Some of the more captivating acts included an amazing combination of balancing and hula act; balancing oneself using only one finger while on top of four chairs; and the final act of the lady on a tightrope.
Circuba is associated with the Cuban National Circus School founded on 1968. Members of the Circuba company have to first complete the normal academic course work required of all Cuban students before they can hope to be accepted for the four-year program of rigorous training in the circus arts.
The ten-day LACF, running until October 15, showcases the best of South American music, dance and film. It brings together over 230 artists and performers from nine South American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
A total of 15 performances and eight film screenings over the course of the festival highlight the Latin America’s history and art through an array of traditional, folkloric and modern art expressions.
Four shows await audiences today at the Katara Drama Theatre starting with the Cuban comedy-drama film ‘Viva Cuba’ which is mainly for children at 11am and Argentinean drama-adventure film ‘Iluminados Por El Fuego’ at 5pm. These will be followed by a performance by world acclaimed ‘Familia Assad’ group of musicians who will play a fusion of Middle Eastern and Brazilian music and a unique tango presentation with by Uruguay’s Tango Vivo.
Tickets are available at the Virgin Megastore from 9.30am to 12midnight at both Landmark and Villaggio outlets. They can also be purchased online at www.virginmegastore.me.
All performances and film screenings will take place at either the Drama Theater or Opera House at Katara Building 16. The Peninsula
Cuba’s national circus Circuba’s two shows proved a crowd-puller with some families going home disappointed as the venue ran out of seats and ticket sales to watch the acclaimed performance of the group recognised by Unesco shot up giving an early sign of the festival’s success.
Acrobats, clowns, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, contortionists, jugglers and other stunt-oriented artists brought smiles on the young crowd. Their virtually flawless balancing acts were splendid and heart-stopping, revealing their strength, agility and expertise after years of training in circus arts.
The 90-minute show was not simply a display of magic tricks and exceptional balancing, strength and innovation in circus but an art form as the performances were further enhanced by their colourful costumes, dance and music which were purely Latin American.
It was also made interactive with the participation of children from the audience having them experience the show up close as they were invited onstage by some of the performers.
Some of the more captivating acts included an amazing combination of balancing and hula act; balancing oneself using only one finger while on top of four chairs; and the final act of the lady on a tightrope.
Circuba is associated with the Cuban National Circus School founded on 1968. Members of the Circuba company have to first complete the normal academic course work required of all Cuban students before they can hope to be accepted for the four-year program of rigorous training in the circus arts.
The ten-day LACF, running until October 15, showcases the best of South American music, dance and film. It brings together over 230 artists and performers from nine South American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
A total of 15 performances and eight film screenings over the course of the festival highlight the Latin America’s history and art through an array of traditional, folkloric and modern art expressions.
Four shows await audiences today at the Katara Drama Theatre starting with the Cuban comedy-drama film ‘Viva Cuba’ which is mainly for children at 11am and Argentinean drama-adventure film ‘Iluminados Por El Fuego’ at 5pm. These will be followed by a performance by world acclaimed ‘Familia Assad’ group of musicians who will play a fusion of Middle Eastern and Brazilian music and a unique tango presentation with by Uruguay’s Tango Vivo.
Tickets are available at the Virgin Megastore from 9.30am to 12midnight at both Landmark and Villaggio outlets. They can also be purchased online at www.virginmegastore.me.
All performances and film screenings will take place at either the Drama Theater or Opera House at Katara Building 16. The Peninsula
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