Backstage at Cirque Du Soleil's "Totem" Show

Backstage at Cirque Du Soleil's "Totem" Show
About this video
Cirque du Soleil's "Totem" show is one of their most high-flying yet, and YH is there under the big top (AKA the "artistic tent") to get a feel for the intense prep that goes into putting on a performance like this! Two of the show's acrobatic troupe members, Caoliang Wang and David Resnick give us a quick lesson on the high bar before showing off their own amazing talents, plus they clue us in on all those elaborate (and tight) costumes! Hosted by Lesley Robins (@lesleymia).
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What's up, guys? Leslie Robbins here for Young Hollywood. If you're wondering why I am covered in chalk, hair is back, hands are completely sore, I am now on the stage at Cirque du Soleil Totem, and I just got the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour. Check it out. Wow, I have arrived at Circus Soleil, Totem.
Welcome to the artistic tent. This is our home, our home away from home.
We're literally under a big top. It's amazing. Under a tent. Yeah. Just like the traveling circuses. I'm going on those high bars.
You'll be going on the high bars over there where we warm up as frogs. Chau Young and I, we alternate the Crystal Man position. And when I'm not Crystal Man, I do frog. And um, it's a joy because some of the characters they do the same thing consistently every night. Right. So when we get to change it up, it's kind of a a refreshment and it keeps the show exciting.
I'm here to go up on the big bars and be a Cirque performer. Can I do it?
I think you can walk the walk. Or fall the fall.
No falling.
The first thing we are going to do is try on the bar. Hands on the bar. And then bring legs over under the bar. And then. Okay. Just that simple. Very good.
It's too easy, I think this. Now we're getting chalked up. This is good.
And then pull up. And the legs over the bar. And sit here. And then swing down. Roll down. Oh my God. This one you you need to you mean you some muscles. One, two, three. Yes. Yeah. Okay.
Obviously, I am a ridiculous beginner. You're the pro. Let me let me see what you got. All right. Okay. So, I got a tour of the area and the wardrobe department is incredible. Those costumes are pretty amazing. How long does it take to get into them, out of them, and what happens afterwards?
To get in and out of them, it's pretty quick unless it's humid. Yeah. Um, it's almost like a second layer of skin. Yeah. Um, the costumes are very tight to our bodies. To get out of them, it's fast. Yeah. 'Cause we want to take them off, so. Yeah. Then we get into another costume for another character.
Okay. Well, good luck tonight.
Thank you.
Timestamps are approximate — click one to jump the player.
PEOPLE MENTIONED
- Lesley Robins
Young Hollywood host, trying the high bar
- Caoliang Wang
Cirque du Soleil acrobat, performs high bar, Crystal Man
- David Resnick
Cirque du Soleil acrobat, performs high bar, Crystal Man
FAQ
What Cirque du Soleil show is featured?+
Who hosts the Young Hollywood segment?+
Which Cirque du Soleil performers are interviewed?+
What is the 'artistic tent' at Cirque du Soleil?+
What is the Crystal Man position?+
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