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The Return of Mystere
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Cirque du Soleil’s classic production Mystere at Treasure Island has been dark for almost a month now for what Cirque du Soleil’s creation director, Gilles Ste. Croix, described as “a needed tune-up.” But this Saturday, the show that’s been deemed “flower in the dessert” due to the way it has changed the face of Las Vegas entertainment since its premiere on Christmas day in 1993, returns to Treasure Island refreshed and with a few new scenes you won’t forget.
In December, Cirque founder Guy Laliberte authorized changes to the show that included replacing the high-bar finale with a trapeze act from his show “Zed” in Tokyo. Cirque has also added a solo aerial act to Mystere, and the choreography and staging of the Chinese poles number supposedly has been restaged.
To get you excited about Mystere’s return this Saturday, here is an exclusive behind the scenes look at what goes into Las Vegas’ original permanent Cirque du Soleil production:
During each performance of Mystere, over 60 technicians work effortlessly on everything from lights to props and backdrops to moving stage lifts to ensure every light and prop is as it should be for the show. And speaking of lights, there are over 800 light cues from 1,200 light fixtures throughout the production. The support crew must maintain the lighting and electrical grid, which is located 80 feet above the stage.
As for Mystere’s music, each show begins and ends with the moving sounds of the Japanese Odaiko drum, which weighs more than 1,000 pounds, is 15 feet long and has two drum heads which are 6 feet in diameter!
To go along with Mystere’s incredible Japanese Odaiku drum are thousands upon thousands of over-the-top costumes. There are currently 10,000 costume pieces used in the show and include 1,500 pairs of shoes, 300 headpieces and 2,500 sequins used on each Bungee Girl costume.
And what about those Chinese Poles? How do the artists stick onto them? To make the poles sticky Mystere melts together rosin rock and castor oil, which in a year comes out to 90 pounds of rosin rock and 768 ounces of castor oil!
But perhaps the most spectacular component of Mystere isn’t what’s happening off stage, but the stage itself. Recognized as one of the most technologically advanced stages in Las Vegas, Mystere’s revolutionary stage measures 120 feet by 70 feet and covers approximately 10,032 square feet and rotates up to 10 revolutions per minute. The floor has a layer of base mat, created from recycled rubber from old tires and sneakers, giving it a bounce, which is great for tumblers.
You can experience Mystere’s newest acts as well as its elaborate costumes, incredible music and revolutionary stage this Saturday at Treasure Island.
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