Like graceful birds in flight, they dive fearlessly in unison, creating a
fantastically organized chaos. As they drop from their trapezes in turn or as
a group, stopped only by the elastic around their waists, the bewitched s
pectators sit spellbound.
The theatre fills with insect chirps and bird
calls to announce the coming of nature's aerial beings.
The acoustic guitarist plucks the
next song's chord pattern while towering rain sticks
bestow the sounds of a rain forest. The vocalists begin
singing my favorite song from the original soundtrack:
"Kalimando," which, on the studio recording, includes a
choir singing the chorus as insects and birds provide
an organic atmosphere. Above, golden bird-like creatures
soar through the air attached to bungee chords. Their
costumes-designed by the talented Dominique Lemieux - feature
metallic streamers that reflect a spectrum of lights. A
mystifying aerial ballet ensues.
Continuing with the bungee act, the drummer
picks up the pace that triggers the
energetic song, "Kunya Sobé." The frantic bass line,
emanates from an instrument called "Stick".
Originally called "Chapman Stick" (named for its
inventor), is a difficult instrument to master as it is
part guitar and part bass, but played almost like a
keyboard with two hands tapping the fret board without the
need to pluck or pick the strings.
In the middle of the song, a remarkably complicated
event takes place. The right-side stage door flies open and
the Big Baby character darts out driving a golf cart. The
band ceases playing the Irish jig-like passage of "Kunya
Sobé," but as the cart speeds through the theatre- the song
is heard emitting from its tiny speakers. The band stands at
attention until the cart disappears into the left-side
stage door, then the musicians pick the song right back
up without missing a beat. I marvel at how they can time
this so perfectly.
|
|
|