From entrance to end curtain, “O” delivers a breathtaking experience of theatre. Directly inside the “O” Theatre lobby, the Art of Richard MacDonald gallery features over 100 bronze sculptures including twenty heroic sized works, plus original drawings, paintings and limited edition prints by the artist.
One of the first striking features about “O” is its opening curtain: a 50-foot tall, 100-foot wide rich red veil that plays a role of its own in the story.
To the rear of the stage, a vegetation curtain sets a dramatic backdrop. Lending visual depth and a naturalistic feel to several acts.
Look up and take in the spectacular domed ceiling and its astonishing spectrum of light. At the center of the dome, a “human chandelier” performs directly above the crowd, while the orchestra and singers are perched on balconies on both sides of the stage.
The enchanting four-horse carousel is the brainchild of Set Designer, Michel Crete. Each horse is constructed from fiberglass and fitted with a propeller and steering mechanism to allow performers to steer the horses through the water.
The set of “O” was masterfully designed to evoke a tremendous range of emotions and imagery.
Visions of past civilizations, sunken kingdoms, and paradise lost spring to mind. The floating mask resembles a sea monster, a rocky perch, and a raft lost at sea. The contortion tables are like lotuses or water lilies. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to make us think deeply about our relationship with water.
Water is ever present throughout “O”, which presented a lot of challenges when building the set. Finding durable materials that withstand water and chemicals used in the show was a must.
That’s why all acrobatic equipment is made of stainless steel–a first for Cirque du Soleil. The stage itself is made of steel and fiberglass, and covered with rubberized matting to create a water-resistant, non slippery surface for the performers.