Press Release
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PRESENTS TONIGHT THE WORLD PREMIERE OF TORUK – The First Flight WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY MICHEL LEMIEUX AND VICTOR PILON INSPIRED BY JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR
A new touring show to tour in arenas around the world
World premiere taking place at Centre Bell in Montreal
Cirque du Soleil presents tonight in Montreal the world premiere of its new arena touring show inspired by James Cameron’s record-breaking movie AVATAR, TORUK – The First Flight. The show will be presented at Montreal’s Centre Bell until January 3 and will then continue touring in arenas around the world.
The show
TORUK – The First Flight is a live immersive multimedia spectacle that brings to the stage the breathtaking world of James Cameron’s AVATAR like you have never seen it before.
Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron’s imaginary world and “makes the bond” between two kindred artistic visions that capture the imagination.
This live immersive experience also bears the distinct signature of directors and multimedia innovators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. It is a living ode to the Na’vi’s symbiotic coexistence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things.
Narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller” and populated by unforgettable characters, TORUK – The First Flight is a mythical tale set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film AVATAR, and before any humans ever set foot on Pandora.
When a natural catastrophe threatens to destroy the sacred Tree of Souls, Ralu and Entu, two Omaticaya boys on the brink of adulthood, fearlessly decide to take matters into their own hands. Upon learning that Toruk can help them save the Tree of Souls, they set out, together with their newfound friend Tsyal, on a quest high up in the Floating Mountains to find the mighty red and orange predator that rules the Pandoran sky. Prophecy is fulfilled when a pure soul rises among the clans to ride Toruk for the first time and save the Na’vi from a terrible fate.
Creative team
TORUK – The First Flight comprises 13 creators under the artistic guidance of Guy Laliberté (Guide) and Jean-François Bouchard (Creative Guide) for Cirque du Soleil, and James Cameron, Jon Landau, Kathy Franklin and Richie Baneham for Lightstorm Entertainment:
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Michel Lemieux Victor Pilon Neilson Vignola Carl Fillion Kym Barrett Tuan Le and Tan Loc Bob & Bill Jacques Boucher Alain Lortie Patrick Martel Germain Guillemot Pierre Masse |
Show Writer and Director, Multimedia Director Show Writer and Director, Multimedia Director Director of Creation Set and Props Designer Costume and Makeup Designer Choreographers Composers and Musical Directors Sound Designer Lighting Designer Puppet Designer Acrobatic Performance Designer Rigging and Acrobatic Equipment Designer |
Creators biographies and still images are available online in our pressroom :
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/press/kits/shows/toruk-the-first-flight/creators.aspx
Photos available at:
http://cirk.me/1IWQVlc
Video:
https://app.frame.io/f/87bAdxqr
Ticket information
TORUK – The First Flight is presented at Centre Bell in Montreal until January 3. To purchase tickets and for the full list of cities visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/toruk.
Sponsors and partners
Xerox, DHL, and ACTIVEON Action Camera are the official sponsors of TORUK – The First Flight. The show is being created through a licensing arrangement with 20th Century Fox.
In an effort to bring audience members involvement to a whole new level, Cirque du Soleil will be launching a first-of-its-kind app for TORUK – The First Flight. Working with long-time technology partner SAP, the app will enhance the overall show experience and enable audience members to be a part of the action before, during and after the performance!
The TORUK prend son envol documentary
Toruk prend son envol is a 50 minute documentary on the behind the scenes during the creation of TORUK – The First Flight inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR. The documentary is available now only on Bell Fibe TV community channel TV1. Directed by Adrian Wills, the documentary offers an unprecedented access to the creation process of a Cirque du Soleil show. For more information about Toruk Takes Flight, visit Bell.ca/Toruk.
Follow us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/torukthefirstflight.
Find us on Twitter with #TORUK.
Cirque du Soleil
TORUK – The First Flight is Cirque du Soleil’s 37th production since 1984. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.
For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com.
To find out more about the ONE DROP Foundation, visit http://www.onedrop.org.
Media contact:
Martine Laforce
Roy & Turner Communications
(514) 844-9678, extension 202
mlaforce@roy-turner.com