By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter
Artistes from all over the world are part of the internationally-renowned Cirque du Soleil production, Dralion, which is set to open the first of its 13 performances at Aspire Zone today.
One of them is Jonathan Morin from Quebec, Canada, who specialises in performing with a unique apparatus called the Crossed Wheel.
“Actually, I invented this apparatus, which consists of two rings at 90 degrees apart. It offers a totally different vocabulary to a performing artiste, which is not available on any other apparatus in the world,” he said in an interview with Gulf Times during a rehearsal session.
Morin has been using the unique instrument for eight years in circus shows.
Narrating his personal story, he said he was an accidental circus performer and originally had plans to become an Olympian. “I started training as a gymnast at the age of seven and continued doing so till I was 20. I was really aiming for the Olympics at that point in my life, but somehow I didn’t make (it). That was my dream actually,” he said.
However, the setback didn’t bog him down and instead he applied for a place in one of the productions of Cirque du Soleil through some acquaintance, where he knew his skills could be put to use. “I took an audition and sent in my tape. Two months later, they gave me a call that they need an ‘aerialist’ for one of their shows.”
It’s been 15 years since Morin got his break in the adventurous circus circuit and today his Crossed Wheel act is one of the main attractions of Dralion.
He urged young people, especially children who dream of becoming performers like him, to be patient and practise a lot from an early age if indeed they wanted to join this “exciting profession”.
Morin revealed that apart from the obvious physical training and exercise needed to be in shape to conduct stunts on stage, a performing artiste has to do deal with the challenge of controlling his mind. One can’t afford to bring his/her problems on stage as this may increase the risk of injuries. “I do meditation. I try to master my thoughts and emotions. This is very important for artistes and perfomers like me. Performance is not only about physical (aspects). The mind too plays a tremendous part in it,” he said.
He added that mastery of the mind was extremely important, which was also a lifetime process.
Morin has performed before in Qatar and said the people of the country really enjoy their shows. “I’m looking forward to perform here again and people will see I have some new tricks to show them on stage.”
Aerialist Lorant Markocsany from Hungary will perform an aerial dance on stage with a woman artiste. They will be using a silk cloth as ropes and perform a love story. “It’s like an aerial dance, so you’ll see us dancing in the air,” he said.
Markocsany said he began working in a circus back in 1998 when he was only 13 years old. “I started with the trampoline, then I graduated to the teeterboard, which is an acrobatic act. When I was 16, I began the aerial.”
He advised children who come to watch Dralion not to try this at home as one can get injured “pretty easily” if not properly trained.
Markocsany also advised aspiring artistes not to give up on their dreams and work hard. “If there are no circus schools around in Qatar, they should train as gymnasts and later try their luck as performers.” He revealed that in Hungary, there were three circus schools and circus as a profession was taken very seriously.
About the injuries sustained during his career, he said: “Injuries are part of learning. So, yes, I too had suffered some, but thankfully nothing serious.”
One of the main challenges for performing artistes such as Markocsany is that they have to stay physically fit. However, that doesn’t mean they are pumping iron every day. “I don’t exercise every day, especially if I have a show daily because if you exercise too much and don’t rest enough, you can get injured pretty easily as the muscles are still very tight.”
About the right retirement age for performing artistes, he said it varies from person to person. “Maybe some people can do this until they are 30, but some people I know are performing even after they have reached 50. So, it’s very important how you take care of yourself, exercise, eat good and rest,” he said.
Markocsany is in Qatar for the first time. “I’m very excited to be here and am sure people will love my performance.”
The show schedule is (Thursday), 6pm and 9.30pm; September 20 (Friday), 6pm and 9.30pm; September 21 (Saturday), 6pm and 9.30pm; September 23 (Monday), 7pm; September 26 (Thursday), 6pm and 9.30pm; September 27 (Friday), 4pm and 7.30pm; and September 28 (Saturday), 4pm and 7.30pm. There are different categories for tickets, including Bronze (QR250), Silver (QR350), Gold (QR400), Platinum (QR500), VIP2 (QR1,000), VIP1 (QR1,100) and VVIP (QR2,000).
Jonathan Morin will perform on his invention, the Crossed Wheel.
