SUBLIM, A LIFE OF HAUTE COUTURE
Discover Cirque du Soleil's new show SUBLIM, created for Andorra. Immerse yourself in the world of the designer as he recalls the key moments of his career. Explore a world of haute couture, where sumptuous sets and flamboyant costumes blend with breathtaking acrobatics to create a captivating show.
Show
Concept
Stage
Music
Costumes
Characters
AcrobaticsThe story
An haute couture designer in the twilight of his career prepares to bow out. However, before closing his store, mannequins mysteriously come to life in a series of colorful acrobatic numbers, retracing the prolific designer's creative journey from his early days to his greatest collections.
Through his memories, his creations come to life in an extravagant fashion show; his refined style asserts itself inspired by his muses. As the seasons pass, his art culminates in a final acrobatic performance, capturing the beauty of fashion and inspiring new generations of designers. A vibrant, living legacy.
THE CONCEPT
The theme of SUBLIM by Cirque du Soleil is rooted in the evocative world of haute couture. Here, creativity reaches new heights, inspiration is the master of all eccentricities, and a fashion show is transformed into a breathtaking spectacle. Captivating the imagination and inspiring extravagant dreams, SUBLIM by Cirque du Soleil offers a ‘’Fashion’’ celebration. Visca la moda!
The Scenic Environment
Like fashion, the scenography plays with materials and volumes, with elegance and sophistication. The boutique's imposing facade is composed of rope curtains that create an organic fluidity. The window in the center is a changing element of décor - part boutique, part couture workshop. At the sides, walkways create an intimate stage-to-room setting.
The Music
The musical framework of the show borrows from the Cirque du Soleil repertoire, with the presence of numerous string instruments. The arrangements play with eras and styles. From epic, almost lyrical music, the show evolves towards more percussive, rhythmic, and festive sounds, accompanied by a singer who performs the songs live on stage.
The Costumes
The human body is at the heart of the show. The models' bodies, as the scenes progress, gain in color, shine and volume. In a burst of creativity, silhouettes are transformed, and bodies are shaped.
Tulle, jewels, silk, pearls, and velvet combine to present extravagant costumes in flamboyant colors ranging from blue to yellow and fuchsia.
The Characters
The fashion designer
A prolific designer in his sixties has forged an eccentric-chic, sophisticated style throughout his collections. A meticulous perfectionist, he attaches great importance to the details that make great creations. He likes to create in the company of his assistants and muses. Funny situations and playful moments inspire him to create creations and collections that are each more extravagant than the last.
The main muse
A former model turned radio presenter, renowned for her fashion sense, is deeply attached to the designer with whom she had a brief love affair. Dressed in a voluminous, flamboyant costume, she is alternately humorous, sensitive and touching.
Models, assistant and muses
They represent a living force that inspires the great designer's work. Throughout the story, these characters bring eccentricity, madness and comic antics to the designer's delight, who transforms these whimsical moments into extravagant, voluminous garments.
Acrobatic Acts
The show's 10 performances form an eclectic acrobatic curve, organically and masterfully shifting between emotion and explosion, poetry and performance. Moving acts are followed by comical and playful ones, which give place to dynamic and eccentric performances, where haute-voltige and haute-couture merge in the same creative momentum. The disciplines chosen echo the theme of fashion.
DISCOVER SUBLIM’S CREATIVE TEAM
A special thank you to the creative team, the production team and to the artists that have put all of their passion, creativity and talent into this new exclusive event of the Cirque du Soleil in Andorra, that surely won't go out of style!
Gabriel Dubé-Dupuis
Creative Director
ORIOL TOMAS
Show Director
ANTOINE SEYCHAL
Musical Arranger and Sound Effects
EDESIA MORENO BARATA
Acrobatic Performance Designer & Assistant Stage Director
Gabrielle Brulotte
Make-up Designer
Geneviève Lizotte
Set Designer
Étienne Boucher
Lighting Designer
SÉBASTIEN DIONNE
Costume Designer
Ernesto Camilo Valdes
Choreographer
Cédric Lord
Props Designer
Cédric Lord
Cédric Lord is a true creative force in the world of art and entertainment. As a set designer, art director and painter, he has followed an exceptional career path since graduating from Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe in 2005.
His talent for designing sets and props transcends the boundaries of different artistic disciplines, encompassing not only theater, music and circus, but also art exhibitions. His talent was recently highlighted when he assumed the artistic direction of seasons 2 and 3 of Pixcom's hit series "Alertes".
Leaving a lasting imprint on the theatrical landscape, he has shaped the scenographic universe of renowned plays such as "Royal", "Manuel, de la vie sauvage" and "Le Terrier au théâtre" (Duceppe). His collaboration with well-known institutions such as Espace Libre, Théâtre la Licorne, the McCord Museum and Prospéro testifies to his versatility and reputation in the artistic world.
In addition to his work on stage and screen, Cédric Lord is also the founder of Le Salon Particulier. This residency and performance space is a haven for theatrical artists.
His involvement with Cirque du Soleil for this summer's show in Andorra marks his first experience as a set designer for this company.
Ernesto Camilo Valdes
Ernesto Camilo, born in Matanzas, Cuba, embarked on his dance journey after graduating from La Escuela Nacional de Arte. Joining the Cuban dance company Danza Espiral in 2008 under Lilian Padron's direction marked the beginning of his professional career as both a dancer and dance teacher.
In 2010, expanded his expertise to Mexico in 2010 before settling in Iceland the following year. There, he quickly made a name for himself, teaching contemporary dance at Point Dance Academy and collaborating on captivating performances like "Inanna og Ereskigal" and "Oggun og Freyja". Camilo's dedication and versatility extend beyond teaching; he's also a skilled choreographer, collaborating with Forward Youth Company on pieces like "RITMO" and "Harmony". In 2019, Camilo showcased his dancing prowess in "La Traviata" at the Icelandic Opera, directed by Oriol Tomas.
Currently, Camilo is an integral part of The National Theatre of Iceland, where he shines as a dancer, choreographer, and actor. His contributions haven't gone unnoticed, earning him nominations, including recognition as actor of the year at Sögur and dancer of the year at Gríman annual award ceremony for theatre, dance, and film in 2019. In 2022, he won the Best Choreographer of the Year award at the same ceremony.
Outside the stage, Camilo has expanded his artistic reach, appearing in documentaries and films like "Apausalypse" and "ABBABABB". These projects showcase his commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, cementing his status as a multifaceted talent in the global dance community.
SÉBASTIEN DIONNE
With a degree in scenography from Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Québec, Sébastien Dionne swiftly made a name for himself in costume design. Since then, he has lent his talents to numerous productions spanning theater, circus, contemporary dance, cinema, musicals, and various special events.
His artistic signature is characterized by his Haute Couture-inspired approach with a strong interest in period costume design. Renowned for his creations in both classical and contemporary productions, he has notably collaborated with Robert Lepage (Ex Machina), the Icelandic Opera, and Cirque du Soleil.
Throughout his career, Sébastien has received recognition for his work, earning four awards for Best Costume Design and one for Best Set Design, among 14 nominations from the Prix d’excellence des arts et de la culture de Québec / Les Prix Théâtre.
This year marks Sébastien Dionne's second venture in creating costumes for Andorra with Cirque du Soleil, following his work on FESTA in 2023. This upcoming project will mark his eighth collaboration with them.
Étienne Boucher
Étienne Boucher, an expert in lighting design, is highly sought after in a variety of artistic fields, including theater, dance, musicals, opera and circus. He has worked with renowned directors such as Robert Lepage, René Richard Cyr and Dominic Champagne. His achievements are marked by impressive lighting designs for acclaimed productions such as "Der Ring des Nibelungen" at the Metropolitan Opera and Roger Waters' "Another Brick in the Wall" at the Opéra de Montréal.
In 2024, he designed the lighting for "The Nightingale and Other Short Fables", directed by Robert Lepage, presented in Adelaide, Australia. His contribution also extends to Cirque du Soleil shows such as TOTEM and X LAND OF FANTASY, as well as innovative projects such as "Éclat" produced by The 7 Fingers and the immersive exhibition "Riopelle Grandeur Nature".
Over the years, his work has been honored with numerous awards, including the Redden Award for Excellence in Lighting Design for TOTEM in 2011 and the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Lighting Design for "Frame by Frame" with the National Ballet of Canada in 2019, reinforcing his place among the great talents of lighting design.
Geneviève Lizotte
Geneviève boasts over two decades of experience as a versatile creative force, having excelled as a scenographer, costume designer, artistic director, and stylist. Within the realm of theater, she has lent her talents to over a hundred productions, collaborating with esteemed directors such as Robert Lepage, André Brassard, and Claude Poissant, among others. Her portfolio includes iconic productions like "La Mouette," "Peer Gynt," "Les Fourberies de Scapin," and "L’Idiot," to name just a few. Geneviève's expertise extends beyond traditional theater, as evidenced by her contributions to Cirque du Soleil shows like LE MONDE EST FOU and ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, as well as the foresta lumina design project, SakuyaLumina, in Osaka, Japan, alongside Moment Factory.
Her talents have earned recognition, including a CALQ grant for a studio residency in New York in 2015. As a visual designer, she has collaborated on acclaimed shows with Pierre Lapointe, such as "La Forêt des Mal-aimés" and "Chansons hivernales." Furthermore, in the cinematic sphere, Geneviève has made significant contributions as an artistic director, leaving her mark on notable films such as "Cash Nexus," "Le Météore," and "Bà Noï," demonstrating her versatile and impactful presence in the world of cinema.
Gabrielle Brulotte
Gabrielle Brulotte joined Cirque du Soleil's Makeup Department in fall 2018 after 15 years of freelancing across diverse creative domains, including opera, circus, theatre, film, fashion, photography, advertising, television, weddings and events. Her career kicked off in Quebec City, where she honed her craft on notable productions such as Ex Machina and coached at the National Theatre School of Canada.
Within Cirque du Soleil, Gabrielle initially assisted on makeup design for MESSI10. Amidst the pandemic, she briefly returned to film and TV but swiftly rejoined Cirque du Soleil to support the relaunch of touring shows and contribute to special events like FUZION, MUV, FESTA to name a few. Notable among her achievements was leading makeup design for SARWAT WATAN, a special event in Saudi Arabia's National Day in 2022, along with roles in other productions like ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE and ECHO.
Currently, Gabrielle channels her inspiration from global travels into designing makeup for the upcoming show in Andorra for summer 2024. With her wealth of experience, she infuses vitality into diverse characters, constantly evolving her techniques to stay ahead in the makeup industry.
EDESIA MORENO BARATA
Edesia's artistic journey began as a rhythmic gymnast with the Spanish National Team, where her passion for physical expression blossomed. This foundation led her in 1998 to a successful career as an artist for a decade with the Cirque du Soleil productions of SALTIMBANCO and CORTEO.
Since 2007, Edesia has collaborated as a coach, choreographer, acrobatic designer, stage director, casting leader, and event designer on more than 40 productions worldwide with Cirque du Soleil’s creations, The 7 Fingers, Cirque Eloize, Cirque Dreams and Friedrichstadt Palast Berlin.
In addition to her creative work, Edesia Co-Founded SPARC intl., a performing arts consultant firm, and lent her design talents to Limbic Media company, serving as the Creative Designer and Artistic Director for two innovative interactive night walks: "AGORA - Path of Light" and "ECLIPSE-Walk with Light".
Edesia's 25-year career is a testament to her passion and dedication. She is a highly skilled designer who combines creativity, organizational talent, and a collaborative spirit to bring projects to life. Throughout her career, she has embraced challenges and thrived in fast-paced environments.
ANTOINE SEYCHAL
Antoine Seychal, composer and creator of soundscapes for the performing arts, film and video games, originally from Paris, now resides in Montreal. His music harmoniously blends electronic and orchestral elements with a variety of musical styles from around the world.
Since his childhood as a percussionist, Antoine Seychal has adopted an immersive, innovative and dynamic musical approach. He has collaborated on numerous productions with The 7 Fingers, Ubisoft, Virgin Group, Moment Factory, Hallucination Collective, Munich Opera (Bayerische Staatsoper) and Cirque du Soleil, working across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
In addition to his prestigious collaborations, Antoine has also recorded with the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre philharmonique de Montréal. Currently, for the second year in a row, he is composing the music for the Cirque du Soleil show in Andorra. In addition, he continues to pursue his musical path by getting involved in various projects with the aim of shaping the sounds of tomorrow.
ORIOL TOMAS
Oriol Tomas is a stage director working in circus, opera, theater, galas and corporate events. For several years now, he has been collaborating artistically with companies that fuse creativity and technology to offer multi-sensory experiences.
Most of his projects juggle tradition and innovation, blending contemporary dance, acoustic or electro music and video mapping.
In 2024, his projects include his new creation with Cirque du Soleil, entitled “Sublim”, in the Principality of Andorra, Verdi's “La Traviata” for the Opéra de Massy in Paris, and “Alt-Escape”, a multimedia performance by the Vidéo Phase team, combining electronic music, percussion and visual effects, which will be presented as part of the Seine Canada Festival during the Paris Olympic Games.
Oriol Tomas has staged Sauguet's “Les Caprices de Marianne” in some fifteen opera houses in France, including Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse, Opéra du Grand Avignon, Opéra de Bordeaux and Opéra de Marseille. This stage direction earned him the Grand Prix Claude Rostand 2015 for best opera production, awarded by the Syndicat de la Critique Théâtre, Musique et Danse de France.
In recent years, he has staged a number of productions that have brought him international acclaim, including “Festa” with Cirque du Soleil in Andorra in 2023, Verdi's “La Traviata” at Icelandic Opera in collaboration with Normal Studio, Mozart's “Don Giovanni” at Opéra de Tours and Opéra de Reims, Gershwin's “Porgy and Bess” with Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Ian Gordon's “Twenty-seven” at Opéra de Montréal, and Beethoven's “Leonore” for Opera Lafayette in Washington DC and New York. He has also worked with the Festival d'Opéra de Québec, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, Casino de Montréal, Conseil Québécois de la Musique, 7 Doigts de la Main, Circo de Bakuza, Centaur Theater, Jeunesses Musicales Canada, Orchestre Métropolitain and many others.
In addition to his Master's degree in opera stage direction from the École Supérieure de Théâtre de l'Université du Québec à Montréal, he holds a diploma in theatrical performance. He is a member of several juries and teaches acting techniques to singers at the Atelier Lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal, Université de Montréal, University of Ottawa, Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal, Académie de Musique du Domaine Forget, Pacific Opera Victoria's Young Artist Program and Folyestivale de Montréal.
Gabriel Dubé-Dupuis
Gabriel Dubé-Dupuis is a seasoned creative director with a rich history at Cirque du Soleil, where he first embarked on his journey in 1995 as a Videographer for MYSTÈRE. Throughout the years, Gabriel has honed his skills and expanded his expertise in the entertainment industry. His contributions to major productions such as O and LA NOUBA under the mentorship of Franco Dragone showcase his early talent and dedication.
With a strong foundation in videography, Gabriel seamlessly transitioned into stage management, touring with iconic shows like DELIRIUM, SALTIMBANCO, and QUIDAM. His diverse experiences, including work on resident shows, international concert tours, special events and unique projects like the first Cirque du Soleil dinner show JOYÀ in Mexico, have shaped his versatile career path.
In 2018, Gabriel ventured into the role of a creative director, leading the delivery of two shows for Cirque du Soleil at Sea. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, he has continued to innovate and collaborate on various projects outside of Cirque du Soleil, showcasing his adaptability and creativity.
Currently, Gabriel is back for Cirque du Soleil in Andorra, working with a creation team to bring to life the 10th partnership project, adding another chapter to his impressive career in the world of entertainment. Gabriel's journey is a testament to his passion for creating unforgettable experiences and pushing the boundaries of storytelling and lasting memories through his craft as a creative director.