Cirque du Soleil is bringing a new show inspired by James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar to Manila.
Toruk — The First Flight is narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller” and set thousands of years before the events depicted in the movie, and before any humans set foot on Pandora.
The show, directed by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon, is a fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft with a soaring cinematic score.
The Pandorian animals will be brought to life through puppetry. Toruk itself is a “reverse string puppet” (handled from the base) while the Austrapede, Turtapede and Direhorse are “lived-in puppets” (someone is inside) and the Viperwolf is an “in-view puppet” (the lower half of the puppeteer is outside, becoming a part of the puppet, while his/her upper body is inside the puppet).
Toruk began preview performances in November 2015 in Los Angeles before touring the USA, Canada and Mexico. The Manila performances will be the first time the show has been seen in Asia.
Tickets range in price from 1,500-7,368 pesos.
Cirque du Soleil’s Toruk – The First Flight runs from June 25 to July 2 at SM MOA Arena. To book call 470 2222 or visit smtickets.com