Cirque du Soleil's Totem: We took an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the group's most popular shows

There are a plethora of shows featuring acrobatics, circus theatrics, comedy and visual effects, but there will only be one Cirque du Soleil.

And what goes on behind the scenes is just as impressive as the shows that the Canadian circus company’s mega-human and super nimble performers put on a daily basis.

TOTEM echoes and explores the evolutionary process of species
OSA Images / Costumes: Kym Barrett / ©2010 Cirque du Soleil Inc

Take for instance its highest selling tour TOTEM, which is a show described as “a fascinating journey into the evolution of mankind”, is like a little town on wheels.

It has nearly 80 trucks to transport around 1,000 tons of equipment to set up the Big Top, the entrance and artistic tents, the offices and the kitchen.

Cirque du Soleil's Big Top 

Once you enter its site, with 118 employees (46 of which are artists) from 28 different countries, TOTEM is already a little world of its own.

TOTEM on stage
OSA Images / Costumes: Kym Barrett / ©2010 Cirque du Soleil Inc

Inside the artistic tent is a melting pot of different cultures united by their love of performing and bound by camaraderie that they have for each other.

Acrobat Vladimir Novotny on the rings

Most notable is the non-verbal communication between the performers.

Take for instance its Russian Bars artists. You see 10 artists perform feats of strength, balance and acrobatic movements where jumpers are launched into the air, leaping from one bar to the next by the pointers, who are down on the ground holding and controlling the bars.

Russian Bars rehearsal inside the artistic tent

Any Cirque du Soleil show is known for its elaborate set and lighting, costumes and make up. And it does mean that in order for circus-lovers to enjoy the spectacle, there is a huge organised operation that goes on behind the scenes.

The Crystal Man—a recurring character—represents the life force. His dazzling costume (literally) is entirely covered of small mirrors and crystals 
OSA Images / Costumes: Kym Barrett / ©2010 Cirque du Soleil Inc

When we went to visit the TOTEM site in Malaga, where it is currently performing, various department heads showed us some of the show’s backstage secrets and we had a really good sense of how a jaw-dropping show like TOTEM operates.

We started inside the Big Top, where we were able to set foot on TOTEM’s marsh upstage, which serves as a projection surface

The Marsh includes photographs taken by Guy Laliberté during his 2009 Poetic Social Mission aboard the International Space Station
OSA Images / Costumes: Kym Barrett / ©2010 Cirque du Soleil Inc

Some of the projections of the marsh interact with the movements of the artists in real time and so it was quite an experience to have a go at the active imaging technology on stage.

And it is not just the performers on stage that appreciate the audience’s rapturous applause.

“Technicians feed on that applause, too. It’s sort of an addiction,” Head of Lighting Matt Cadden said.

Another busy area of the tent is Deborah Linden’s wardrobe department.

The glittering mobile mosaic is made up of about 4,500 reflective components on a stretch velvet leotard.

“My role is also to make sure that the artists are comfortable and feel safe when they go out on stage in their costume.”

Painting of the shoes

Since its world premiere in 2010, TOTEM has been seen by more than five million people worldwide and next year it will return to the Royal Albert Hall from 12 January until 9 February.

Tickets go on sale to the public on June 8, 9am; cirquedusoleil.com

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