Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #154700 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-02-06
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Georgian, Chinese, Thai
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
When Cirque du Soleil first ventured beyond Canada's borders, its powerful, singularly ambitious "reinvention of the circus" seemed quixotic. Inspired by European precedents, this was a big top downsized to a more intimate, single ring, as the French-Canadian troupe jettisoned animals, banished the usual fright-wigged clowns in favour of funny folks versed in (gulp) pantomime, and focused on acrobats, contortionists and illusionists. Conventional wisdom would have held that such esoterica was doomed, but anyone lucky enough to catch that initial Cirque production (or, for that matter, any of its subsequent offerings) knows just how wrong conventional wisdom can be.

Cirque's creative brain trust, including "guide" Guy Laliberte and director Franco Dragone, have crafted each production as an extended performance piece framed by recurrent characters, unified production design and underlying themes. Already mesmerising visual tableaux and astonishing illusions are given an added poignancy (and, occasionally, true gravity) by the productions' underlying comments about society, conformity, beauty and emotion; even without such conscious motifs, however, Cirque's sheer artistry is never less than riveting.

Quidam revolves around an Everychild, living with self-absorbed (and deliberately archetypal) parents, who is whisked away to a vividly surreal world where Cirque's remarkable acrobats and artists take literal flight. Their tools are often prosaic--oversized flying rings, an open steel wheel large enough for a single inhabitant, skateboards, ropes--yet the resulting images are stunning. Injecting further drama and atmosphere is the score (here by musical director Benoit Jutras), which is as far removed from traditional circus music as Cirque's "acts" are from Barnum & Bailey. Performed with synthesisers, electric guitar, solo reed instruments, percussion and voice (often singing in a kind of Esperanto that's tantalising yet foreign), Cirque's music can be dismissed as New Age only until heard in its intended context. Quidam can't quite achieve the sheer, enveloping wonder that its theatrical source does, but for fans of Cirque du Soleil's unique performance art, this latest presentation sustains the troupe's magic. --Sam Sutherland, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews

A 'must see' for everyone
I was introduced to Quidam by a friend who had seen the show in Los Angeles. He showed me a video but nothing prepared me for the live show which I saw in Manchester last year. This video is a wonderful souvenir if you have seen the show and what a reminder of the wonder that is Quidam or if you are new to the Cirque Du Soleil experience. I have never tired of watching it over and over because there is always something new to discover. My personal favourites are the diabolos - which I might add I have tried and failed to recreate myself! - and the statues. Please buy this video - you will not be disappointed and if you have the chance to go and see it, don't miss out. It comes highly recommended. Spellbinding.

Fantastic, exciting enthralling display of artistry.
The most enthralling video I have watched for a long time. The strength and stamina shown by the performers enhanced a unique performance and the music fully complemented the amazing feats of all the performers. One to watch again and again. Excellent.

Keeps the Cirque alive in your heart until next time...
Having recently seen Quidam live in London I cried when the show was over. The Cirque is so unique, so moving, so indescribable that I had to get this video to remind myself of the magic until I can afford to see the show again. I'm a Cirque Groupie, and proud of it....