First Look: Cirque Du Soleil's New Journey Into the World of Cinema

Earlier today, Cirque du Soleil presented the first glimpse of their newest show Iris: A Journey Through the World of Cinema. Aided by elaborate sets and costumes, Iris takes the audience into another realm in which visions of an old-time circus are fused with abstract elements of the beginning of film. With imagination-bending shows like Ka, O, Mystere and more, Cirque du Soleil has crossed many expanses, delved where few minds could imagine and journeyed into many alternate worlds -- but this time Cirque has entered a new territory -- the world of film. Iris was created exclusively for the Kodak Theater at the Hollywood & Highland Center, the perfect place for this fantastical stroll down celluloid lane, as the theater is the home of the Academy Awards.



During the press event, Murielle Cantion, Cirque du Soleil's Vice President in Charge of Creative Content, said, "Iris is a poetic phantasmagoria inspired by the world of cinema." She added,"Iris conjures a place between motion and picture, between light and sound that constantly switches from reality to make believe. Iris will present Cirque du Soleil's real true story of cinema."



During the event, the audience was delighted with several tidbits from the work-in-progress. Always visually stunning, Cirque du Soleil's preview showcased an identical-twin aerial duo and a colorful trampoline act, featuring performers dressed as mobsters and police. Each act kept the onlookers rapt with wonderment, inspiring "oohs," "aaahs" and uproarious applause from the press.




Cirque du Soleil's Iris will begin preview performances on July 21. Presented by Sun Life Financial, Iris will premiere on September 25. Keep clicking back with ETonline for more Iris developments.