‘Cheval’ a different kind of horse show

Elizabeth Kaye McCall

Monday, Nov. 19, 2001 | 8:31 a.m.

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The newest delight from the boundless imagination of Gilles Ste-Croix, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil and creative director for 10 Cirque productions, including water-themed "O" (Bellagio) and airborne "Mystere" (Treasure Island), "Cheval" (which means horse in French) opens the door to an earthier enchantment Wednesday at Bellagio.

The cast includes 30 horses (17 breeds) and 27 artists from around the world, who work their magic inside a Loire Valley castle-inspired big top measuring 69,513 square feet of hand-painted canvas between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo hotels on the Strip and Harmon Avenue.

Loosely themed around an aspiring Romeo (portrayed by comedian Christian Ferland), who must overcome his fear of horses to woo a woman, the 90- minute show begins with a mesmerizing Gypsy scene where a net of gold platters soars skyward from a horse-drawn carriage. The comedic element fully kicks into gear when Ferland (who had no horse experience when cast) meets his equine thespian equal in Bohemio, a French-trained horse with movie credentials, who clearly enjoys the spotlight.

From bareback acts starring five members of the famed Zamperla Zoppe circus family (the 9-year-old tops a three-tier human pyramid on galloping horses) to a 32-mph Cossack vaulting act choreographed by Moscow Circus veteran Igor Kassaev (one performer goes under a horse), "Cheval" also showcases the talents of Caroline Williams, the 32-year-old niece of the late Gunther Geble-Williams.

In a superb liberty act, six bay Andalusian horses, free as birds, spin in pairs, change directions, form lines, and move as one, while Williams directs the action from center ring while wearing a black dress (and heels, no less). Original music performed by a live orchestra and horses moving to the rhythm of vocalists add to the sensory ride.

The $6 million production even turns horse housing into part of the show. Spectators enter and exit the big top via the stable tent, where the horse stars reside. Individual stall tags detailing breeds and performing credentials offer insight on the four-legged performers.

"I think there's something to be brought back to the people," says Ste-Croix, 52, who grew up on a farm outside Montreal with horses and long dreamed of creating an equestrian theatrical production.

Ste-Croix is founder, president and director of Cheval-Theatre Inc., the Canadian company (separate from Cirque du Soleil) that produced "Cheval." Las Vegas is the third stop on a three-year U.S. tour to 19 cities that began in August.

Ironically, for a man who created two successful productions already running in Las Vegas, Ste-Croix reacts with humble gratitude about "Cheval's" opening Wednesday.

"To play here is a fantastic opportunity," he says. "(Las Vegas) has become, over the past 10 years, a very important city of show biz."

One question: If "Cheval" represents earth, "O" is water and "Mystere" the air element, what about fire?

Ste-Croix doesn't miss a beat: "The fire is in the soul."