Hot to Trot: Equine grace on display in Ste-Croix’s ‘Cheval’

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002 | 8:16 a.m.

Beneath a hand-painted big top designed to emulate the castles of the French Loire Valley, Gilles Ste-Croix is living out his longtime dream.

For nearly two years the Montreal native has been taking audiences to the chivalrous days when the horse was king.

Touted "imagination at full gallop," "Cheval" is a mix of centuries-old horsemanship, graceful showmanship and 18th-century circus themes. Vaulting acts and equestrian ballet are woven by a comic storyline of a man who tries to overcome a fear of horses.

The production features international acrobats, trainers, actors, musicians and 30 horses of 15 different breeds. It takes place under the world's largest circus tent, where lighting and original score evoke medieval imagery.

"In society," Ste-Croix said during a recent phone interview, "horses are gone. I try with this show to renew a connection with the horse."

"Cheval" premiered in March 2001, then set forth on a three-year North American tour. Critics have been dazzled by its artistic prestige and athleticism, while others say the show at some points might be better suited for horse fanciers.

When "Cheval" opens its six-week return engagement Friday at the corner of Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevards, audiences can decide for themselves. This is the show's second appearance on the Strip. It also appeared in Las Vegas in November 2001.

In "Cheval" Andalusian horses pirouette and waltz. Acrobats vault in pairs, form pyramids, jump from horse to horse and juggle while standing on the horse's back. A cluster of horses and riders perform a choreographed carousel. Cossack vaulters somersault off the side of the horse and ride beneath it, often at speeds exceeding 30 mph.

Ste-Croix, who is also creative director of Cirque du Soleil productions "O" and "Mystere," said that he's long wanted to put together a show with horses.

"Working with horses has always been in the back of my mind," he said. "I grew up on a farm where we had horses. That has always been in my head."

At Cirque, Ste-Croix said, "We played with the idea of horses. But the style without animals was successful."

"This is sort of my pet show," he added with a laugh.

"Cheval," Ste-Croix said, is inspired by 18th-century modern circuses created by Philip Ashley, an idea that he has had to familiarize North American audiences with.

"It's a new product and it has to penetrate the (interest) of the people," Ste-Croix said. "Some they say, 'What's this? A horse show. A rodeo?'

"Americans associate horses with the Wild West, the open lands. In Europe there's a tradition of horse dressage. In those countries people have stables. It's very present in people's life over there. It's a very different concept culturally."

Regarding the circus theme, Ste-Croix said, "I go back to the origin where there were horses and bring in theatrical presentation. The modern circus is really a demonstration of horses in a circular ring. Then, to top each other off they would bring in new things, exotic animals, and then the sideshow of freaks. A circus became almost a freak show at one time."

By bringing in designers and technicians who have worked with Cirque du Soleil productions, "Cheval" has a Cirque flavor.

But compared to Cirque du Soleil productions, Ste-Croix said, "It's a totally different concept.

" 'O' is the most technologically advanced show you can wish to see in the world," Ste-Croix said. "One hundred and fifty technicians run the show. My show, it's back to the basics. It's a relationship of humans with horses."

With a laugh, Ste-Croix added, "I don't have any horses that fly and a (giant) wave covering the set."

But he does have experts in the business, including equestrian choreographers Igor Kassaev and his company of Cossack cavaliers, and Bernard Quental, an equestrian choreographer who has worked with French circus families.

Creating the show

Creating "Cheval" was two years in the making, Ste-Croix said.

"It's casting horses. It's casting humans," he said. "Sometimes I found the horse. Sometimes I found the performer, and I brought them together."

Similar to actors, horses have their role preference.

"Not all horses will want to work with an audience," Ste-Croix said. "Some are shy. Some horses would be better trotting. Some would love to gallop. The comic horse we have in the show, he comes from cinema. He's an actor. You may find one in 500 horses who will do that. It's a unique horse."

Caring for the horses is half the show, Ste-Croix said.

"You have to really establish a relationship of trust and respect of each other. The horse trusts this guy's not going to land on the head of the horse. When someone's juggling with fire, the horse trusts that he's not going to be hit.

"It's a very fragile animal and demands care. By fear they run away. They're shy and that's why the relationship is important because they remember everything."

Under the five tents, blacksmiths, masseurs and veterinarians work to see that the show goes as planned. Audiences enter and exit the show walking past the horses.

"I wanted to provide that," Ste-Croix said. "It's part of the experience with 'Cheval.' So when they leave they've connected again with the horses."