Angel Wings Costume

Clown Pants

Cirque Du Soleil's Corteo Review

Take a typical nightmarish dream sequence you may have deep in the night, add ponderous acrobatics and aerobatics, an eerie story of clowns, death and a funeral, sprinkle in a carnival-like atmosphere ripe with little people and balloons, and inject a heart-pounding live, original score that combines with strange scenes that surround you like a psychedelics-infused blanket, and you've got Corteo.

Last night I went to the Boston show of Corteo, another installment of the hugely popular Cirque Du Soleil. It's a circus, a theatrical musical, a gymnastics show and more. The audience surrounds a perfect circular stage, all under a gigantic big top that successfully blocks out every single photon of outside light.

The entire circle, both stage and audience stands, is sliced in half by two curtains that were a semi-transparent gauze. Between these ephemeral barriers stand the props and actors/athletes who begin the spectacle.

The story is essentially about a clown's funeral, although it took all six of my group to determine the exact plot post-show. It opens with a clown on his death bed, I think, although almost everything is a tinge unclear. And the ongoing mumblings of this doomed clown are in Italian to boot, so it was often tough following things. But he did take pity on the crowd occasionally and would blurt something out in English.

It's difficult to put into words what I witnessed next. The lights and stage were gold, yellow, and earthy, the music was soothing yet bizarre, and this clown sat on a bed while accosted by all kinds of characters. They all started running by him on either side of the bed. Clowns prodded him, small men and women with sculpted bodies spun his bed around, and beautiful angle-wing laden women in tights clinging to elaborate and ornate chandeliers floated above him.

The whole thing truly felt like some kind of mildly disturbing dream. And not just watching the dream, but actually experiencing the darn thing. The 'scenes' were rotated through strange and compelling theatrics and absolutely jaw-dropping acrobatics.

The performers started bouncing on three different beds, flipping over each other, onto other beds and actually dribbling each other, all the while the stage rotated at a stately pace. They bounced around the stage like super balls ricocheting around a metal room. Then the ornate chandeliers that hung over the bed which had beautiful women hanging from them began to swing. The woman swung themselves around the entire place, all the while writhing and climbing among the chandelier lights and chains.

It seemed like the show's wardrobe was 18th century French or Italian, with men's ballooning pants at the thighs, and capes and sharp collars, as they acted out some of the plot. But interjected in the plot were amazing physical feats. For instance, there was a scene where both men and women held onto man-sized sturdy hula-hoops that they spun around in while hanging on. They looked like they were just tossed onto the spinning circular stage out of the pocket of some benevolent giant.

From the roof came a steady air raid of angles that hung on to wires and floated around the set handing various props to the actors.

The second half was even more stunning than the first. It opened with some of the performers bouncing along a skinny, long trampoline that cut through the diameter of the stage. And then the trapeze act started above. Never a mistake, never a slip, just crazy body flinging at its finest.

It's funny because I recently heard Howard Stern (the radio jock) try to get one of his regular listeners to do a stunt for his Sirius Satellite radio show. He wants Eric the Midget to "fly with balloons" by strapping him into something that would allow him to float from a bunch of balloons in Stern's studio. The whole thing is hilarious since Eric is ornery and stubborn and won't agree to it. Howard tries to continuously talk Eric into doing it, ostensibly a great idea that will launch Eric into stardom, really a thinly-veiled attempt at a desire for some good radio.

But Cirque Du Soleil's Corteo beat Howard Stern to the punch. A little person flew, and it was magnificent, but it wasn't on the Howard Stern show.

It was one of the most memorable scenes of the second half, and my favorite. It was a little person floating by balloons. Her name was Valentina, and her size was probably about three feet tall. The kooky Cirque people strapped Valentina into a little harness that was attached to five or six large, helium-filled balloons. I am not kidding. A teeny, tiny three-foot-tall woman named Valentina was floated around the inside of the big top by a bushel of weather balloons.

What's more, she actually drifted over us, the audience, and would eventually descend onto the frenzied crowd. The clown on the stage instructed us to hold two hands up like a platform as Valentina came down out of the air. She would proceed to push off the pair of hands, squealing away like an exuberant pixie.

The stunts in the second half were amazing. A man climbed up and down a ladder that was not leaning against anything. A woman traversed a high wire on her tip toes like a ballerina, then proceeded to climb up another high wire that was at a 45 degree angle! And more gymnasts performed intricate, synchronized parallel bar feats.

The show ended with the whole crew out on the stage, the clowns, the gymnasts, the actors, Valentina, everyone. They all waved goodbye to the star clown who was flying up into the rafters, pedaling a bike that was suspended fifty feet in the air, and drifted away to heaven.

Throughout the show I looked over at the friends I was with and invariably saw lots of smiles. I was thoroughly entranced the entire time, and I would absolutely recommend Cirque's Corteo to anyone, from eight to eighty years old. It was a great experience and I think it would be a great place to bring your kids, or a date.

About the Author

Jason OConnor owns and operates Oak Web Works, LLC and also runs www.BestShowTicketsLasVegas.com.

Web Design Company

Las Vegas, Broadway Show & Concert Tour Tickets

mailto: jason@oakwebworks.com

Clown Pants
what are a good pair of slim jeans for men?

ok i'm a slim dude and have yet to find a good pair of slimmer jeans from any store. everytime i try on a pair of pants i think i'm wearing clown pants inflated with air. so i was wondering what are some good companies or specific types of jeans that might give me a good fit. oh yeah i'm like a 29 -30 waist and 32 length

dude,
i have the same problem

AE - only the low rise slim boot. everything else fits loose. the slim boot are the not to tight, not too loose, well fited jeans. the slim straight fit aweful though. A&F, hollister, most areo pants fit like crap -- baggy like you wouldnt beleive. the slim line isnt slim one bit.

Buffalo david bitton - they are my saving grace. expensive, but worth every penny. however, if you catch the sale, you can get a pair of 100 dollar jeans for about 30-40.

guess, expensive but good, i prefer buffalo b/c of the slightly longer inseams and more selection in styles.

other brands

jack and jones (again, only the slim fit/skinnies. belgian line, i get them at winners for about 25 to 30 bucks. they retail over 100)

levis (511s are a good skinny jean, the capital E are awesome but expensive -- sometimes you can find them at winnners). the slim boots are okay, the classic 501s are loose, imo.

blend (danish line) -- be careful, they offer both short and loose legged

mexx (dutch clothing store) -- they offer good formal clothes. sometimes the denim line is hit and miss. kinda pricey, decent sales, they fit slim guys amazingly. i picked up a pair of 70s retro jeans, and slim-straight cords that fit great.

le chateau -- canadian version of h&m, but more daring in styles. probably one of my fave stores. if you dont see stuff you like one time, wait it off,. and try again in about a month. they change things up quite regularly.

h&m, good for every day in-expensive dress pants, and plaid skinnies for men, and sometimes a good shirt. the rarely change their styles though.

projek raw -- another canadian denim line
private member -- a casual (non denim) line, same company company as projek raw

Clown Pants, dressing room disastor

Oversized Evil Clown Costume $134.95 Oversized Evil Clown Red and Blue Scary the Clown Colorful creepy clown suit includes: tunic, pants, and collar, with oversized mask and hands. Sizes Available: One size fits most

Bobo the Clown Costume $35.99 Baby Bobo Clown Child Costume The clown around at the circus or parade with balloons, face painting, and jest with all! Costume includes: Shirt with collar, pants and cone clown hat with pom pom. Available Sizes: Small 4-6

Boys Hoopy the Clown Costume $19.97 Clown halloween costume features a hat, top with attached tie and hoop pants with attached suspenders. Hoopy the Clown gets his name from the big hoop in his oversized pants. The Boys Hoopy the Clown Costume features a red and yellow striped shirt with an attached tie and jumbo pants with blue, green a...

Clown Suspender Costume Accessory $6.97 Makeup & accessories for plus size clown costume - Having trouble keeping those over-sized pants from falling? Clown suspenders are the silly way to keep those pants up...

Men's Clown Costume - Horny The Clown $39.95 Do you have a surprise under your big tent that you want to share with every pretty girl you meet? Well when you're begging for a little pie in the face, make sure you have a three ring riot on your hands! Check out this Horny The Clown Men's Clown Costume! Our Horny The Clown Men's Clown Costume comes with a yellow, blue and red shirt; with festive patches and bright red buttons down the front! This also comes with a pair of vertically striped yellow and red pants, also with patch details. But, that's not the best part! This even comes with a yellow phallus with bright red bulb at the tip, on an elastic waist strap. This has a hand-held air pump and it even makes the "Boing" sound effect! Order this today!

Adult Psycho Clown Costume $42.97 Mens horror costume features a top with attached skulls, pants and mask with attached hair. The Men's Psycho Clown Costume is very scary. Many people are afraid of ordinary happy clowns. Imagine how they will feel seeing you dressed in the Men's Psycho Clown Costume. As the Psycho Clown, you...

Mens Cranky the Clown Costume $27.97 Mens Clown costume features pants with attached suspenders and pom poms. This is one clown you don't want showing up at a kids party. The Men's Cranky the Clown Costume actually seems pretty cheerful because it is full of bright colors so the crankiness is all in your...

Plaid Pickles Clown Costume $71.97 Plaid Pickles Clown Adult Costume Tell silly jokes and make balloon animals as a jester at the circus or a clown at the fair! Includes: Quality clown costume with bright plaid jacket and pants. Available Sizes: Large 46-48 Additional Sizes: Standard 42-44 Shirt, Shoes, Wig, Glasses and Cane NOT included.

Ringling Bros. Short Pants Clown Costume - Standard $39.99 Inspired from the world famous circus company, start clowning around in perfect style with our Ringling Bros. Short Pants Clown Costume - Standard! If you have dreams of being a one-man circus act, you can't go wrong with this costume! It's time to go all out and bring a little silliness to your Halloween proceedings! Our Ringling Bros. Short Pants Clown Costume - Standard is an officially licensed costume with a bright orange vest and pants in scrappy argyle! Pick up this amazing costume today!

Clubbers The Clown Costume $42.99 Clubbers The Clown Child Costume Grab your circus friends and be the main attraction! Includes: Bright plaid jacket with blue and red pants. Available Sizes: Small (4-6) Additional Sizes: Medium (8-10) Large (12-14) Shoes and clown nose NOT included.

Paddy Whack Clown Costume $54.99 Paddy Whack Clown Adult Costume Go to the fair in the most colorful outfit, make balloon animals, and tell silly jokes! Includes: Long, bright colorful jacket with matching pants. Available Sizes: Standard 42-44 Additional Sizes: Large 46-48 Clown hat, wig, nose, shirt, tie and shoes NOT included.

Clubbers Clown Jacket $42.99 Clubbers Clown Jacket Go to the circus in the most colorful outfit, make balloon animals, and tell silly jokes at the fair! Includes: Bright colored, long plaid jacket. Available Size: Standard 42-44 Clown wig, makeup, pants and shoes NOT included.

Toddler Colorful Boy Clown Costume $29.97 Infant / Toddler clown costume includes: pants with attached suspenders, hat andshirt with attached bowtie. If your child has a playful nature, this is the perfect outfit for them, the Toddler Colorful Boy Clown Costume. The clown costume for boys includes a yellow and blue top wit...

Toddler Clown Halloween Costume - Lil' Mr. Clown $21.95 Do you like to make everyone laugh? Always looking to light up a face with a smile? Check out the Toddler Clown Halloween Costume today and you're sure to keep them laughing! All you need is a few good jokes and you're ready to show off your clown skills when you put on the Toddler Clown Halloween Costume. The costume comes with everything a toddler needs to keep them laughing. You'll receive a bright red coat and blue shirt with an attached bow tie and pants. You'll also receive a bright red, blue and yellow hat!

Formal Clown Costume $87.97 Formal Clown Adult Costume A formal tuxedo look is perfect for any circus clown or county fair! Includes: One piece pants, shirt, and vest. Belly stuffer, cravat neckband with stick pin, and black cutaway coat. Available size: One size fits most Adults Cane, shoes, wig, and clown nose sold separately.

Spanky Striped Clown Costume $59.97 Spanky Stripes Adult Clown Costume Have fun making baloon animals at the fair, parade, or circus with this classic jester! Includes: Super bright colored clown suit with short front tail coat, matching pants, hat and bow tie. Available Sizes: Standard 42-44 Additional Sizes: Adult Large (fits most with chest size up to 48) Child Small (4-6) Child Medium (8-10) Child Large (12-14) Shoes, nose, squirt flower and clown makeup NOT included.

Boys Big Top Clown Costume $20.95 Does you toddler love to go to the circus or just clown around at home? Well then he will love this Boys Big Top Clown Costume! This three piece Boys Big Top Clown Costume is perfect for any toddler venturing out of the house for his first Halloween filled with tricks and treats! The Boys Big Top Clown Costume comes with a colorful pullover top with pom-poms, baggy stripe pants, and red and white clown collar. This Halloween will be one to remember!

Horny The Clown Costume $56.99 Horny The Clown Adult Costume Not the kind of clown you want to see at the circus! Costume includes: Pull over top with 3 hard pom poms, front slit collar, pants with elastic waist and ankles. Elastic waistbands with air activated accordian mechanism - tip of mechanism has a pom to match clown top poms. Mechanism has "boing" sound effect when extended. Hand held air pump with tube that runs through sleeve of clown top to activate mechanism. Available Sizes: One size fits most adults Wig, shoes, gloves and makeup NOT included.

Rasta 7164 Clown Adult Male $56.7 You are sure to get plenty of laughs in this colorful clown costume. This Male Clown Adult Costume includes a shirt pants with suspenders and a top hat. Jumbo clown sneakers are sold seperately. Perfect for costume parties birthdays and other dressup events. One Size Fits Most Adults.

Child Clown Around Town Costume $19.97 Clown halloween costume includes hat, jacket with attached shirt front, bow tie and pants. Your son or daughter will love all the laughs they get this Halloween in our Clown Around Town Costume for children. It includes a jacket, pants, bow tie and matching top hat. The jacket comes in a co...

Adult Colorful Male Clown Costume $57.97 Mens clown costume includes: pants with suspenders, shirt and top hat. You?ll be the life of the kiddie party in this Adult Colorful Male Clown Costume. This delightful outfit is made for fun and good times; it includes a pair of baggy red pants with suspenders and a bl...

Wilton Free Wheelin Truck / Van / SUV Cake Pan (502-1565, 1980) Retired $89.95 The contouring of the pan outlines the form and provides a generous backing to hold the cake. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. When the party is over, the pan cleans easily so there's less time spent in the...

Wilton Pink Panther Playing a Saxophone Sax Jazz Cat Music Horn Cake Pan (502-3902, 1982) Retired The contouring of the pan outlines the form and provides a generous backing to hold the cake. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. When the party is over, the pan cleans easily so there's less time spent in the...

Wilton Precious Pony ~ Horse ~ Unicorn Cake Pan (2105-2914, 1986) ~ Retired Collectible $69.99 The contouring of the pan outlines the form and provides a generous backing to hold the cake. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. When the party is over, the pan cleans easily so there's less time spent in the...

One World $16.98 Classical...