MANCHESTER – It takes a lot to create a world of imagination in the world of a young girl, but a small army of performers, designers and others are ready to make it happen this weekend as SNHU Arena presents Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL.
Nearly 20 tractor-trailer trucks and 100 people from over 20 countries are needed for the performance, which is the first show on ice from the Quebec-based performance group.
The performance, which follows the story of a young girl named Crystal as she falls through a frozen pond and embarks on a journey of self-discovery that includes an array of acrobatics and extreme skating.
The role of Crystal and the reflection of herself is played by several performers, including Danica Gagnon Plamondon, a two-year veteran of the show.
Plamondon has performed in other Cirque du Soleil presentations, but the unique combination of skating and acrobatics required a different approach from a normal show.
“I had to learn to swing on a trapeze with skates on, so I had to re-learn all my tricks with the (skate) blade and the added weight and height,” she said. “It’s definitely something that is very different than I’m used to.”
While many of the performers come from an acrobatics background, many also come from a skating background, such as Dylan Moriarty.
Before joining CRYSTAL, Moriarty was a downhill skater on the Red Bull Crashed Ice Tour, a sport that requires skating through a series of jumps comparable to many of the sets used in the show.
“(What I did) fit right in with what they want they wanted us to do here,” said Moriarty. “They asked us to try some crazy ramps and it worked out very well and now we have a great act in the show.”
Given the complexity of the stunts in the show, performers must train for five months before coming on board due to the extreme precision required to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
The unique synthesis of acrobatics and skating also requires unique equipment as well, as specialized shoes worn by some of the performers with crampons or even screws that allow additional traction or support during various stunts.
CRYSTAL spokesperson Janie Maillet is confident that those in attendance this weekend will leave satisfied.
“It’s exciting,” she said. “We’ve been performing this show for two years come October, but this is our first time in Manchester. So far, the reception has been very warm, and every time we come with a new show, it’s very exciting. We can’t wait to present it.”
The show runs through Sunday, and ticket are available at the SNHU Arena website.
