2014 is the year of the horse in the Chinese calendar, so having the Asian premiere of a world-class equestrian performance here is rather apt. We headed down for Cavalia’s opening night performance to see if it lived up to the hype – and didn’t regret it one bit.
First Impressions
Cavalia celebrates the beautiful relationship between horses and humans throughout history, through the use of state-of-the-art multimedia, special effects, and a team of talented performers. Upon entering the tent, you’ll be greeted by a big stage, large enough for horses to run at breakneck speed from one end to the other.
The show lasts for two hours and thirty minutes and includes a 20-minute interval, so be sure to have dinner (and make a trip to the restroom) before taking your seats. There is very little spoken dialogue, but you’ll hardly notice it since the horses and performers’ fluid movements and soaring musical accompaniments will keep you enthralled all night.
What we adored
Aptly dubbed an “equestrian ballet”, the show amazed audiences with heart-stopping stunts, from riding upside down on a galloping horse to twirling and posing in mid-air. A troupe of African acrobats will set your pulse racing with energetic backflips, towering human pyramids, and innumerable cartwheels.
The strong bond and unshakeable trust shared between human and horse was visibly apparent throughout. We were secretly envious of the horse whisperer, who seemed to have a deep-seated connection with a group of majestic white horses that ran with carefree abandon around the stage. In another scene, horses performed a nifty little synchronised dance, which came across as graceful rather than contrived. The closing scene, in which the sandy floor turns into a shallow pool of water for horses to joyfully prance about in, was a fitting tribute to the raw, unbridled equine beauty on display.
What could’ve been better
While every scene was stunning and breathtaking in its circus-esque theatrics, the lack of a clear storyline means that you’ll have to mentally switch gears as the backdrop changes from a tree-lined forest to a red-gold sunset. Finding cheap parking in the vicinity will also pose a big challenge, so taking public transport is recommended.
In a nutshell
We left the big tent with utmost respect for a horse’s intelligence and commitment, and a renewed desire to practice more bendy yoga poses (if only to achieve just a sliver of the acrobats’ flexibility).
Cavalia, The White Theatre Tent, Bayfront Avenue, Singapore. Show runs 12 August 2014 to 14 September 2014. Buy tickets online or call 3158 6735. Prices start from $58 to $188, while VIP packages start from $208 to $308.
Images: Cavalia