Press Release
For immediate release
IRIS
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE WORLD OF CINEMA
Written and Directed by Philippe Decouflé
EXCLUSIVELY AT KODAK THEATRE
PREMIERES SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Los Angeles, September 25, 2011 – Cirque du Soleil and CIM Group present tonight the world premiere of IRIS, a new major, resident production created exclusively for the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center, home of the Academy Awards®, on September 25. Proudly presented by Sun Life Financial, IRIS is written and directed by French stage and film director, artistic director, dancer and choreographer Philippe Decouflé.
About the show
A poetic phantasmagoria inspired by the world of cinema, IRIS presents an imaginary journey through the evolution of cinema – from the foundations of the art form to the bustle of the soundstage – through optical effects and film genres. IRIS transposes into a language of dance and acrobatics all of cinema’s splendor, inventiveness and, above all, its sense of wonder.
When the two young heroes – Buster and Scarlett – find themselves plunged into the joyful chaos of a film set, their escapades transport the spectator into a kaleidoscope of movement, moods and images supported by an orchestral score.
IRIS conjures up a place between motion and picture, light and sound, that shifts constantly between reality and make-believe, to explore the limitless possibilities of cinema. By combining dance, acrobatics, live video, film footage and interactive projections, the show illustrates both the mechanics of cinema and its extraordinary power to deceive the eye.
About Philippe Decouflé
Cooperation with others is essential to Philippe Decouflé’s process. In 1983 he gathered together a group of artists and artisans who have been with him ever since as members of his dance company DCA, which has created scores of playful and fantastic productions that represent a veritable revival in contemporary dance.
In 1992 Philippe created the magnificent opening and closing ceremonies of the Albertville Olympic Games. Watched by two billion viewers, this work earned him an international reputation. Philippe Decouflé also created the show Désirs that has been running at the Crazy Horse Saloon in Paris since 2009. IRIS is his first show with Cirque du Soleil.
The creative team
Along with Philippe Decouflé, the creative team consists of the following distinctive talents:
Guy Laliberté Artistic Guide
Gilles Ste-Croix Artistic Guide
Philippe Decouflé Writer and Director
Danny Elfman Composer
Jean-François Bouchard Director of Creation
Pascale Henrot Associate Director of Creation
Jean Rabasse Set Designer
Philippe Guillotel Costume Designer
Daphné Mauger Choreographer
Patrice Besombes Lighting Designer
Anne-Séguin Poirier Props Designer
Olivier Simola Projection Designer
Christophe Waksmann Projection Designer
François Bergeron Sound Designer
Boris Verkhovsky Acrobatic Performance Designer
Shana Carroll Acrobatic Performance Designer
Pierre Masse Acrobatic Rigging and Equipment Designer
Nathalie Gagné Makeup Designer
About Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,500 performing artists from close to 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in nearly 300 cities on six continents.
For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
To find out more about the One Drop Foundation, visit www.onedrop.org.