Cirque’s ‘Cheval’ offering poetry in motion

Joe Delaney

Friday, Nov. 23, 2001 | 9:30 a.m.

"Cheval," French for "horse," is the most exciting and unique evening of entertainment since Cirque du Soleil first pitched its tent on the grounds of The Mirage. Gilles Ste-Croix, erstwhile director of creation for all Cirque du Soleil productions since 1990, continues as a consultant, but his energies are now devoted to being president, director and founder of Cheval Theatre Inc.

"Cheval" features 30 magnificent horses, representing 17 different breeds and a cast of 27 acrobats, actors, comedians, dancers and musicians, working in a big top (at Harmon Avenue and the Strip) stretched over four masts, more than 69 feet tall, seating 2,000, with a circus-style ring 46 feet in diameter. It houses the world's largest hand-painted big-top canvas, an attraction in itself.

Ste-Croix has created an existence where animals and humans respect each other, work together and create incredible moments of artistic achievement, combining the strength and the grace of the horses with the acrobatic artistry of humans. It is a magical world that touches the child in each of us, whatever one's age. Share this with your entire family, even the very young.

The program includes equestrian vaulting in which riders -- male and female -- perform acrobatic acts on the horse's back, at times combining two or three horses for breathtaking feats. There is also a delightful pony-vaulting number featuring two young boys and a pony named Damien, plus an adult outwitted by both the youngsters and Damien.

There is an example of Garotcha, a Spanish tradition with a rider using a long pole, once used to sort cattle. There is dressage, really a ballet of horse and human, Liberty Horses, the Carousel, Cossack riding and vaulting and Bohemio, the comic horse, performing with his trainer who wishes to ride him and spends several hilarious, un-rewarding minutes before doing so.

As with Cirque du Soleil productions, there is a comedian, this time a man with a suitcase, looking for his seat and later getting involved in the proceedings. Christian Ferland has this role and also doubles as the performer with Bohemia. Voki Kalfayan is his comedic cohort. This is laugh-out loud comedy, not a few occasional chuckles.

"Cheval" is a treasure. Look for it to find a permanent home in Las Vegas (its run ends in January) once its tour is finished.