World’s largest free-standing venue being built in Toronto for new Cirque du Soleil show. Here is a look inside
Called The Pavilion, it is the world’s largest free-standing venue and is coming to the city for the first time.
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Cirque Pavilion rendering A unique pop-up event venue – the size of 22 tennis courts or about 40 shipping containers – is coming to Toronto for the first time this spring.
Called The Pavilion, it is the world’s largest free-standing venue and will be erected on a 28-acre site at 2150 Lake Shore Blvd. W., just west of Parklawn Road. (Supplied Cirque du Soleil)
Cirque Paviliion structure The steel frame structure, which is 60 metres wide by 75 metres long and 25 metres high and is made from 4,480 pieces of hardware, including 756 wall panels, is being set up in time for the May 1 opening of Cirque’s newly revamped show, OVO.
Anchored by up to 128 anchors each measuring 12 feet in length, The Pavilion is expected to take about 28 days to assemble with crews working 24/7. (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire)
Cirque Pavilion assembly Crews begin assembling the structure, which is a hybrid of the iconic Big Top experience and a world-class arena atmosphere, in Toronto on March 25.
The plan is to take down The Pavilion, which can be configured to hold up to 5,000 seats with 360 viewing, when OVO concludes on June 28. That task will take roughly three weeks to complete. (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire)
Cirque Pavilion assembly “The Pavilion is a cutting-edge approach to how we can bring live entertainment to more audiences in more places around the world. The versatility of its design allows us to present a wide-ranging and ever-growing array of exciting shows under the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group portfolio,” said Duncan Fisher, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group’s chief officer of show operations, in a March 25 news release. (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire)
Cirque Pavilion He added that it “embodies the spirit of innovation and ingenuity that Cirque du Soleil is known for, and we are thrilled to bring this new venue experience to Toronto - a city that has always embraced our artistic vision.” (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire)
Cirque Pavilion Sanya, China The so-called “mobile arena,” which was developed in partnership with Belgium-based company Spantech, made its debut in Sanya, China in 2018 for the premiere of Cirque’s Toruk. It then travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire)
Cirque Pavilion interior The Canadian version of the structure will be unique to previous ones as it will feature an all-new building façade that emulates the iconic Big Top with its signature stripes and chapiteau silhouette. (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire)
Cirque OVO OVO, which means egg in Portuguese, is Cirque du Soleil’s 25th touring production. (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire)
Cirque OVO The show explores the energetic life of bugs and is described by organizers as a “bountiful riot of energy, movement, wonder, and joy found in nature.” (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire) (MARIEANDREELEMIRE)
Cirque OVO “Through show-stopping acrobatics highlighting insect species and their unique personalities and abilities, OVO explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy,” Cirque du Soleil said. (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire) (MARIEANDREELEMIRE)
Cirque OVO OVO, which features a cast of 100 people from 25 countries, including 52 performers, was first presented in Toronto in 2009. Tickets can be purchased online. (Photo Marie-Andrée Lemire) (MARIEANDREELEMIRE)
