Equestrian Extravaganza

‘Cavalia’ (Photo from www.cavalia.net)

SINGAPORE–In the early ‘90s, Irish rock band U2 released the song “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses” that touched on the unpredictable nature of the four-legged creature albeit in allegory. With this in mind, we were excited to watch the human-horse show “Cavalia” because we wanted one question answered: Are the people in command of the animals or is it the other way around?

Currently being staged under the White Theatre Tent next to the Marina Bay Sands through Oct. 5, the theatrical production features 50 horses and 42 artists. “Cavalia” has drawn horse lovers and those into the innovative arts from all over South East Asia who, perhaps like us, want to witness a cooperation based on friendship rather than master-servant relationship between man and horse. Anyone who watches it will get more than what they want- “Cavalia” is a breath-taking performance in front of a constantly changing digital background of dream-like environments projected onto a 60 metre-wide screen that can leave anyone mesmerized!

It’s no easy task. In many traditions all over the world, the horse symbolizes imagination, free-spirit and taking risks because the creatures are all these things in real life. And while men have been riding horses for ages now, there are breeds of horses that are just hard, if not dangerous to tame. Some of these are in “Cavalia” – Comtois, Criollos, Percherons, Spanish Purebreds, Warmbloods – and they perform like pros for people as if going against their natural temperament. One can’t help but hold his breath watching the whole spectacle knowing that one wrong move by the artists, or the littlest distraction, could throw the horses off. But as it were when we watched the show, the show is executed perfectly so there’s no need for worry at all. Did we mention some of the horses have hair braided? Cute.

There’s always something happening throughout “Cavalia” that makes the two and a half hour time allowance just fly. Aside from the background that “transports” you from such locations as the desert all the way to the galaxies, there’s World Music, energetic dancing in detailed costumes, acrobatics done with harnesses that suggest flying or dreams, and a lot of derring-do (ever seen a two-storey human pyramid?). The show that tells the story of how human and horse met and came to forge a bond is for young and old alike who want to be entertained, thrilled.

According to a release, the show can be customized for an extended experience, including a Horse Lovers Package that lets patrons tour Cavalia’s stables after the show, and the VIP Rendez-Vous Package that includes a post-show tour of the stables, a cocktail/dinner reception and much more. Indeed, those are two more reasons to fly all the way here to watch the show before it goes to Seoul, Korea.

“Cavalia” is presented in Singapore by MediacorpVizpro International and BASE Entertainment Asia. It has been seen by over 4 million people across North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. For tickets or for more details, visit www.cavalia.sg

BASE Entertainment specializes in the development, production, programming and management of live entertainment properties and theatre operations. Since their Asia office opened in Singapore in 2010 Base Entertainment has brought a wide array of live entertainment to Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands’ two theatres, including “Disney’s The Lion King,” “WICKED,” “The Sound of Music,” “Swan lake On Ice” and “Bar at Buena Vista,” among so many others.

Equestrian Extravaganza

Source: Mb.com.ph (September 29, 2014 at 08:04PM)

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