As a distinctly patriotic weblog, we by no means need to infringe upon your proper to rejoice new holidays. So enable us to introduce to you the creepiest week of the yr at Walt Disney World, an precise and undoubtedly not made-up festivity that I can solely assume will quickly turn into the following federal vacation and faculty recess. That’s proper, we’re speaking of the one and solely (checks notes)…uh…Worldwide Clown Week, which, once more, is completely an actual factor.
Or so I’m advised by Cirque du Soleil. The Canadian firm despatched out an extremely prolonged however usually well mannered press launch about learn how to rejoice Worldwide Clown Week at Walt Disney World. It presents a “peek into the poetic artwork of clowning” in Cirque du Soleil and Disney’s clown-centric collaboration.
It’s been a huge week or so for bizarre circus stuff at Walt Disney World, and we usually wouldn’t share a press launch like this, however I discovered it to be amusing, humorous, and a bit academic. Plus, it offers me an excuse to lastly share our long-overdue evaluate of Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil, so keep tuned for that after the entire enjoyable info about clowning with Cirque…
Drawn to Life, offered by Cirque du Soleil and Disney, invitations you to discover the enchanting occupation of clowning with this behind-the-scenes have a look at its gifted clowns in honor of Worldwide Clown Week from August 1 to 7, 2023. These expert performers tackle the roles of key characters within the present, including to the storytelling and creating an unforgettable expertise for audiences of all ages.
This present is a novel collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Walt Disney World, combining Cirque’s artistry with Disney’s timeless storytelling. Drawn to Life takes the viewers on an immersive journey via the artwork of Disney animation in Cirque’s signature manufacturing fashion.
“Except for infusing the present with laughter, emotion and enchantment, our clowns play an integral half within the storytelling of Drawn to Life,” mentioned Heather Reilly, Firm Supervisor for Drawn to Life at Walt Disney World. “Every of our clowns accompanies the primary character, Julie, on her highway of self-discovery by both guiding, instructing and even interfering together with her journey.”
Clowns have an age-old origin, flourishing in historical Greece and Rome as buffoons who parodied critical characters and engaged in bodily humor. Over time and with the affect of assorted cultures, various kinds of clowns emerged, every having distinctive costumes and signature traits.
Amongst these had been the Arlecchino of the Italian commedia dell’arte and the English clown, which drew inspiration from characters in medieval thriller performs. Opposite to widespread perception, clowns aren’t at all times humorous (editor’s notice: you’ve obtained that proper–we’ve seen It!). Clowns’ versatility in humor and emotion makes them highly effective storytellers within the worlds of circus and theater, evoking a variety of feelings past simply laughter.
“Circus is a mesmerizing tapestry of storytelling, and clowns are amongst its most integral storytellers,” mentioned Guerassim Dichliev, the gifted bodily actor behind Mr. Pencil, one in all Drawn to Life’s principal characters.
Mr. Pencil continued: “Drawing inspiration from numerous theatrical types and the on a regular basis experiences of life, we discover the boundaries of humor and emotion, infusing our characters and performances with poetic depth and complexity. This permits to evoke a variety of emotions, fascinating and connecting with the viewers via relatability and by tapping into the free-spirited essence inside every of them—a nostalgic connection to the childlike surprise of life.”
Every character in Drawn to Life has a novel story and character, particularly the clowns. Dichliev, as Mr. Pencil, takes on the function of a fortunate pencil that sketched nice moments in Julie’s father’s life and is now guiding Julie via her quest. Miss Hésitation is a bulbous ball of crumpled paper, feeding Julie’s self-doubt—however beneath her villainous veneer lies a soul of compassion and heat.
Lastly, the 4 Animators—who pay tribute to Walt Disney’s 9 Outdated Males, the icons of Disney Animation—befriend Julie on her journey, instructing her the rules of animation and serving to her full her father’s unfinished drawing. The clowns in Drawn to Life embody numerous varieties, such because the clown blanc—a intelligent and complicated, typically a frontrunner or “boss”—and the Auguste clown—clumsy, curious and by chance mischievous, typically entering into hassle.
Mr. Pencil and Miss Hesitation are thought-about clown blanc as they each try to information the primary character on her journey (one positively and the opposite negatively). Against this, the Animators are thought-about Auguste clowns. Though they assist educate Julie the rules of animation, their instructing fashion is innocently and joyously chaotic, comedic and all-around enjoyable.
Moreover, lots of the clowns in Drawn to Life are additionally expert and skilled in mime—one other well-known department of bodily performing—and have infused facets of the artwork into their characters. The connection between clowning and mime types the inspiration of bodily theater, the artwork of gestures and expression. Clowns and mimes share widespread floor of their reliance on non-verbal communication to convey feelings and tales, making a mesmerizing mix of artistry.
Drawn to Life’s gifted and skilled bodily actors mix the affect of mime and the completely different types of clowning to breathe life into their characters, leading to a fascinating interaction and an entertaining expertise full of laughter and feelings.
This one-of-a-kind present, which has been delighting audiences at Disney Springs West Aspect for nearly 2 years, is full of gravity-defying acrobatics, fascinating choreography, new musical preparations, whimsical characters, distinctive set design and playful costuming. Drawn to Life reconnects adults to their childlike selves whereas introducing a brand new era to the wonders of Cirque du Soleil and Disney’s hand-drawn animation.
On the coronary heart of the story is the love of household and the universally unshakable bond between dad and mom and kids that continues to be undimmed by loss or the passage of time. It tells the story of the love between a father and a daughter and the inheritance of expertise and fervour for artwork, drawing inspiration from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 100-year heritage of storytelling.
Drawn to Life celebrates iconic Disney tales and characters via modern design, acrobatic performances, dazzling choreography, musical scores and brand-new animation lovingly created by Disney Animation artists.
The excellent news is that you could rejoice Worldwide Clown Week for the following two full months–as a result of isn’t a multi-month celebration what the mime masters actually deserve?!–with the present Scorching Summer season Financial savings Supply on Cirque du Soleil tickets. Take into account that deal–and this whole put up, for that matter–lengthy overdue retribution for Walt Disney World declaring Struggle on Clowns a pair years in the past with the elimination of the Creepy Clown Pool (RIP) at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
As a part of this promotion, Drawn to Life tickets can be found beginning at $59 for adults and $44 for youngsters. This particular low cost for Drawn to Life at Walt Disney World is legitimate for ticket purchases via September 22, 2023 for performances of Drawn to Life between now and September 30, 2023.
The Scorching Summer season Financial savings provide is legitimate for seat classes 1, 2, 3, and 4. Restrict eight tickets per transaction and per visitor. Tickets could also be bought on-line or on the Drawn to Life Field Workplace at Disney Springs situated at Walt Disney World by mentioning the Scorching Summer season Financial savings Supply. Tickets are topic to taxes and charges. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. The Scorching Summer season Financial savings Supply is topic to availability and can’t be mixed with another presents.
As for our evaluate of the brand new Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life, it’s fairly constructive. This present superbly marries family-friendly acrobatic escapades of the Cirque troupe with classes of Disney animation. It’s a touching story with ruminations on grief, perseverance, and utilizing artwork and creation to beat loss and private tumult.
The present begins out sluggish by Cirque requirements, eschewing fast-paced antics for a deal with trustworthy, intimate and uncooked moments with the primary character who’s struggling to deal with the lack of her father. (Yep, it makes use of the time-tested Disney Useless Dad and mom trope.) Drawn to Life builds from there, with each the motion and the primary character’s private journey gaining momentum over the course of the manufacturing.
In so doing, Drawn to Life manages to deftly stability Julie’s story, depictions of the artist course of, nods to basic Disney characters and tales, acrobatics, and typical Cirque bizarreness and oddities. I suppose there may be an esoteric clarification or symbolism for a few of the unusual performers, however I opted to take them at face worth, having fun with the spectacle.
The story itself is filled with depth, private progress and character improvement, completed through sentimental and emotional means…in addition to breathtaking acrobatics. It’s a variation of a plot that Disney has completed earlier than (story-wise, there’s a really comparable Disney Cruise Line stage present), however by no means like Drawn to Life. The top result’s one thing that’s shifting, whereas additionally being a ton of enjoyable and visually gorgeous.
Drawn to Life would possibly sound overly heavy and deep for the escapism that typifies Disney, nevertheless it tugs on the heartstrings in a style that’s acquainted of Disney’s animated movies. These themes are there for individuals who need them; on the floor, the present additionally presents the conventional Cirque breathtaking visuals and aerial escapades. It’s extremely properly completed and enjoyable…it simply would possibly make you shed a tear or two alongside the best way.
The best way Drawn to Life manages to marry significant and emotional Disney storytelling together with Cirque du Soleil showmanship and breathtaking circus artistry is spectacular. It will not be the perfect exemplar of both, however the best way the seemingly disparate items of Drawn to Life coalesce into Disney Cirque is pure magic.
With that mentioned, Drawn to Life isn’t a must-do, except you’re seasoned Walt Disney World veterans who go to recurrently. First-timers undoubtedly shouldn’t prioritize Drawn to Life, except they’re actually huge followers of Cirque du Soleil. Though it’s a wonderful present, along with being costly, it’s time-consuming. With restricted trip days and hours, dedicating a night to seeing Drawn to Life in all probability isn’t the perfect use of time in case you solely have 5 days at Walt Disney World.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Use our sources to assist! In case you’re concerned about studying extra about inns, our Walt Disney World Motels Critiques web page is an efficient place to start out. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques web page. If you wish to get monetary savings on tickets or decide which sort it’s best to get, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at unconventional issues it’s best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Journey Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the perfect place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to benefit from your expertise!
YOUR THOUGHTS
How will you be celebrating Worldwide Clown Week at Walt Disney World–or at dwelling? Have any plans to take a clowncation throughout this celebration in August 2024? Have you ever seen Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil? What did you consider the present? Are you a fan of Disney Springs? What do you suggest doing there? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!