They leap, prance, and gallop: and no, we’re not just talking about the horses. Cavalia, the equestrian extravaganza overflowing with poetic beauty and raw energy, is here for seven weeks of jaw-dropping acrobatics, nifty dance moves, and impressive aerial stunts.
Conceived by Normand Latourelle, one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soleil, the show has played to over 4 million people all around the world. 50 horses and 46 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers and musicians are involved in staging this lavish, state-of-the-art multimedia production. We spoke to one of the troupe’s horseback riders, 23-year-old Spencer Rose, on her most dangerous stunts and what she loves about Singapore:
Spencer Rose (left) and her horse Sydney
Hi, Spencer! Tell us a bit more about what you do in Cavalia.
I do roping (a lasso act), trick riding (performing stunts while riding a horse), and roman riding (standing atop a pair of horses).
How did you land yourself the job?
At the time, Cavalia was looking for someone who could do roping, and there’s a very small number of people who do that. They asked me to come and audition in Colorado, and the rest is history.
How long have you been with Cavalia?
It’ll be four years this November.
What do you like most about performing?
I love working with horses and bonding with them. I have three horses – Sydney, Ted, and Calibre – and each of them have such different personalities. I love getting to know them better, and working with them is one of the highlights of my career.
How do you find Singapore so far?
We arrived about a week and a half ago, and I love the weather and how it’s so warm at night. Singapore is like a big mosh pit with so many different people living here, and I’m really excited to explore this city more.
What can people expect when they come to watch the show?
We’ve been rehearsing a lot and putting new elements into the show just for Singapore. No two shows are the same: the horses are free to roam, and we just let them “do their thing”. We have a live band that follows the movements of the horses onstage, so the music you hear is very fluid. Overall, it’s the bond between man and horse that audiences will appreciate. My friend has been working with his horse for four years now, and you can really see the connection between them. It’s really beautiful to watch.
What’s the most difficult act that you have to perform onstage?
That would be trick riding, where horses are running across the stage and we stand on them or hang off their backs from one end to another. It’s pretty dangerous, but it’s also fun because I get to put my trust in my horse, and at the same time he trusts me too.
Thanks, Spencer Rose – we can’t wait to spot you in action!
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