Cirque Du Soleil Raises 2,500-Seat 'Big Top' Tent In Montco

OAKS, PA — The six day set-up process for Cirque du Soleil's mammoth "Big Top" circus tent is now complete.

The tent, which seats 2,500 guests, will begin showings of its 2018 show, Volta, on July 12. The lengthy process includes nailing down nearly 500 stakes, putting up four 25-meter steel masts, and raising the cupola 19 meters off the ground.

It's also built to last. The massive structure can withstand winds of up to 75 miles per hour, which hopefully won't a issue over the next few weeks in Montgomery County.

The world-renown acrobatic production will be in the fields near the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks through Aug. 5.

Tickets for the show went on sale for "Cirque Club" this winter and start at $49 a pop (become a member here). Tickets for the general public went on a sale until March 9 and can be purchased here.

Volta, the latest touring show of Cirque du Soleil, is themed around extreme sports, according to organizers. Acts include parkour, rope skipping, roller skating, contemporary dance, use of bungees, batons, acrobatic ladders, unicycles, and much more.

The theme of the show is described by its creators as follows:

"WAZ, a popular gameshow host, has lost touch with his inner self in the pursuit of fame. But as doubt sets in, WAZ is enlightened by childhood memories as he encounters FREE SPIRITS who open doors to his inner soul he has long kept shut. On his high-voltage search for meaning, will WAZ find the courage to relinquish his fame, reconnect with his true self, and shine bright?"

Volta marks the 41st show organized by Cirque du Soleil. It launched in Montreal in April 2017. Bastien Alexandre is the writer and director of the show, while Jean Guibert is the director of creation. Anthony Gonzalez is the musical director and composer, which has a "space-age future pop sound," according to organizers.

The following members of the creative team work under director Jean-François Bouchard to put together the show:

• Bastien Alexandre, Writer and Director
• Jean Guibert, Director of Creation
• Bruce Rodgers, Set Designer
• Zaldy Goco, Costume Designer
• Anthony Gonzalez, from M83 Composer and Musical Director
• Julie Perron, Choreographer
• Martin Labrecque, Lighting Designer
• Thibaut Duverneix, Video Content Designer
• Jean-Michel Caron, Sound Designer
• Anne Séguin Poirier, Props Designer
• Rob Bollinger, Acrobatic Performance Designer
• Philippe Aubertin, Acrobatic Performance Designer
• Jaque Paquin, Acrobatic Equipment and Rigging Designer
• Eleni Uranis, Make up Designer
• Manon Beaudoin, Character’s guide

Organizers with the show said the circus travels with a total of 72 trailer truck sand 2,000 tons of equipment. Cirque du Soleil has been operating since 1984. Their big top, arena, and circus shows are performed around the world.

Image via Cirque du Soleil