Although I have not yet found time in my hectic family schedule for us to attend a performance of Odysseo, a re-imagining of equestrian and theatrical arts, a couple of my friends have been to the show and they both said this is a MUST SEE performance.
I have to admit, I am amazed by the images I have seen of the performance so far. So what is Odysseo? And where is it?
Well, Odysseo’s White Big Top – the largest touring tent on the planet – was erected in Vancouver’s Olympic Village in preparation of Odysseo’s second and final run in Vancouver.
The $30 million theatrical production imagined by Normand Latourelle opened on January 29th with matinee and evening performances now scheduled through February 26th.
Covering a surface area of 5,425 square metres, the size of the BC Lions football field, Odysseo’s impressive White Big Top is a mix of art, technology and advanced engineering.
In order to break through the limitations of standard big top tents, allow for more flexibility in the performance area, and to give the horses the space they need to feel free and comfortable, Normand Latourelle, Cavalia’s artistic director and founder, partnered with specialized companies in Europe and Canada to create this high-tech structure.
This unprecedented structure is also composed of several exceptional features like the grandiose stage – larger than the Rogers Arena ice rink – that enables large-scale, cutting-edge creative performances.
Surrounded by bleachers with 2,074 seats, the 1,626 square metres stage requires 10,000 tons of stone, earth and sand to create so that it offers a vast space of freedom where 65 horses and 48 artists can display their intimate collaboration.
To help immerse the audience in the magical world of Odysseo, images of the most beautiful landscapes from around the world are projected throughout the show onto a 780 square metre screen.
Never afraid of using unparalleled technical, visual, and sound infrastructure, the Odysseo creative team has invented a feast for the eyes, a multi-dimensional spectacle with staggering effects created by state-of-the-art scenery.
During the breathtaking finale, a vertiginous virtual waterfall overhangs a lake made possible by an underground drain system that releases 150,000 litres of recycled water onto the stage, in which horses, riders, and artists join to frolic, leaving behind them the traces of their splashes—and an astonished audience.
Tickets are priced from $29.50 to $139.50 + applicable taxes and fees.
The “Rendez-Vous” package is the deal that I am discussing with Sweetheart. That package offers the best seats in the house, exquisite full buffet dining before the show, open bar, desserts during intermission and an exclusive visit of the stables after the show.
This unique VIP experience takes place in a tent alongside the White Big Top. The Rendez-Vous package prices range from $129.50 to $209.50 + applicable taxes and fees.
Special pricing and packages also available for groups, children (2-12), juniors (13-17) and seniors (65+).
You can follow Cavalia’s latest developments at
- www.twitter.com/cavalia or
- www.facebook.com/cavalia.
- #OdysseoYVR
I hope to see you at a performance!