CHEK Upside: Behind the scenes at Cirque du Soleil OVO

Behind every performance of Cirque du Soleil’s OVO is a travelling support system like no other.

“Of course, it’s a lot of logistics, but it’s a well-oiled machine,” says OVO senior publicist Janie Mallet.

From costume repair to practice areas, backstage is a massive maze that is almost as choreographed as the onstage performance.

“We travel with 20 semi-trucks, so it is a massive production that includes all of the stage and the set….all the costumes, everything we need for carpentry and sound and lighting and video projections,” says Mallet.

In the lead-up to the show, the performers practice their craft, whether it is on the trapeze, trampoline or tumbling.

“I’ve got a lot of conditioning and Pilates and training throughout the day and eventually it’s the show,” says trampolinist Zander Biewenga.

“So it’s mainly training and then the show is a small part of it.”

When the audience arrives, that’s when the performers in OVO really come alive.

“If you get a really good energetic reaction from the audience, that’s really what gives you such a boost of energy,” says tumbler Jorn de Laender.

Victoria marks the fourth stop on the Cirque du Soleil OVO Canadian summer tour, which is providing a chance for the show to get back in front of a home-country crowd for the first time since COVID.

“We’re spending the summer in Western Canada to tour these different beautiful cities like Victoria, it’s just amazing,” says Mallet.

Cirque du Soleil’s OVO runs until Sunday, June 19 at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre.

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