Hi everybody! It’s been a long while since we last updated our blog. All these school work and other hobbies have taken over our life. 🙂 When we received the invite for TORUK – The First Flight by Cirque du Soleil, we knew it will be the perfect opportunity to reward the kids (and ourselves) with a visual delight after two semesters of hard work at school. This sensory-loaded multimedia stage of artistic story-telling coupled with the signature acrobatic style of Cirque du Soleil is really hard to resist.
The breathtaking world of James Cameron’s AVATAR is brought onto stage with stunning live visuals and choreography in TORUK – The First Flight. Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, the stage at Singapore Indoor Stadium was transformed into a giant screen where Pandoran landscapes materialize. The mythical tale is set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film AVATAR, and before any humans ever set foot on Pandora.
I enjoyed the Pandora world tremendously but found myself lost during certain segments when I focused on the captivating acrobatic acts instead. Except for the narration, all other conversations were communicated in Na’vi language. Honestly, it was quite difficult to follow as the story developed. I would suggest that you familiarize with the characters and story before attending the show.
Ralu, Entu and Tsyal are the three main protagonists of TORUK – The First Flight, which is narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller”. They are joined by the Shaman and the Chief of the Omatikaya clan as well as members of five Na’vi clans: Omatikaya, Tawkami, Anurai, Tipani, and Kekunan.
Ralu, 14, is a Na’vi of the Omaticaya clan. He is a natural born leader, a doer and a thinker with a heart of gold.
Entu, 15, is a Na’vi of the Omaticaya clan, who lived thousands of years prior to the humans’ arrival on Pandora. Spunky and intense, he knows to follow and trust his instincts.
Upon learning that Toruk can help them save the Tree of Souls, they set out, together with their newfound friend Tsyal, on a quest high up in the Floating Mountains to find the mighty red and orange predator that rules the Pandoran sky.
Tsyal, 15, is a Na’vi who lived thousands of years prior to the Humans’ arrival on Pandora. She is a sprightly girl with an indomitable spirit.
When a natural catastrophe threatens to destroy the sacred Tree of Souls, Ralu and Entu, two teenage Omatikaya boys, fearlessly decide to take matters into their own hands.
Tree of Souls
Prophecy is fulfilled when a pure soul rises among the clans to ride Toruk for the first time and save the Na’vi from a terrible fate.
Toruk (meaning “last shadow”) is a species of airborne predatory animals native to Pandora. This creature’s name in Na’vi translates roughly to “last shadow”, as its preferred method of attack is from above, with its shadow being the last thing its victim sees (and once they do it is already too late). The fierce beauty and nobility of the Toruk gave the species a central place in Na’vi lore and culture. It is celebrated in dance, song, and with elaborate totems that symbolize both the fear and respect given to the creature. Indeed, the Toruk is crucial to the Na’vi’s sense of destiny and interconnectedness.
The black-clad, shadow-like puppeteers personify the spirit of Eywa, the Na’vi’s guiding force and deity.
Thoughout different segments of the show, beautifully-choreographed acrobatic acts reflected the professionalism from Cirque du Soleil. Every character was able to display powerful mid-air manipulation and balance.
Overall, the performance was entertaining and our travel into the Pandoran world well-spent. Our mobile phones were buzzing away and interactively displayed lights in coordinated colours from the audience seats as if we were part of the show.
To participate in the immersive multimedia experience, remember to download TORUK – The First Flight app.
App Store: bit.ly/TORUKiOS | Google Play: bit.ly/TORUKplay
TORUK – The First Flight is suitable for families and children (aged 10 & above). For a good view of the entire stage and magnificent backdrop that comes alive with falling boulders, waterfall, steep cliffs and ancient trees, seats at section 218 to 224 have a great view!
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~ SAys! Shirley
We are grateful for the opportunity to attend TORUK: The First Flight, for the purposes of this review. We were not remunerated monetarily for the review, all opinions and experiences remain our own alone. All photos unless otherwise mentioned are copyright of MediaCorp Vizpro and were provided for the purposes of this review. All other photos remain the copyright property of SAys! Happy Mums and may not be reproduced without prior notice or written permission given.
About TORUK: The First Flight
When : 24 May – 03 Jun 2018
Show timing
24 May (Thu): 8pm
25 May (Fri): 8pm
26 May (Sat): 4pm, 8pm
27 May (Sun): 1pm, 5pm
29 May (Tue): 4pm
30 May (Wed): 8pm
31 May (Thu): 8pm
1 Jun (Fri): 4pm, 8pm
2 Jun (Sat): 4pm, 8pm
3 Jun (Sun): 1pm, 5pm
Where : Singapore Indoor Stadium
Duration : Approximately 2hrs (including a 20min intermission)
SAys! Happy Mums 