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Saltimbanco
Saltimbanco or "saltare in banco" in Italian literally means "to jump on a bench". Cirque du Soleil brings us Saltimbanco which explores the urban experience in all its multitude of forms: the people who live there, their idiosyncrasies and likenesses, families and groups, the hustle and bustle of the street and the towering heights of skyscrapers. Armed with a deeply perceptive vision of the world and sleeping under bridges, the characters throughout the fable reveal the countless contradictions of our civilization where imagination has not yet taken power. Saltimbanco takes the audience on a symbolic and energetic trip into the heart of the city.
Created in 1992, Saltimbanco (big top version) was the first show in which Cirque du Soleil would narrow its focus to tell a very specific and themed story. Dragone was inspired by the way multiculturalism shaped the nature and direction of Cirque du Soleil and wanted the theme of this new show to be one of "cosmopolitan urbanism". Laliberté stated that, "For me, Saltimbanco is a message of peace. In the 1990s, immigration was an issue, the mixing of cultures in cities, and Saltimbanco reflects that mix, with all of its personalities and colours. It's the challenge we have in today's world: respecting each other, living and working together, despite our differences."
Idealistic or not, Saltimbanco, which comes from the Italian saltare in banco, meaning literally "to jump on a bench," was well-received. Featuring 47 artists, the cast has been assembled from the citizens of 15 different countries. This is, to date, the longest-running show that Cirque du Soleil has ever produced. It has run for 15 years and has toured North and South America, Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim.