�Voyage de la Vie� or the �Journey of Life� is the first ever theatrical circus spectacular originating from Singapore in the league of world-class theatre productions. The 90-minute show made its World Premiere on 2 July 2010 at the purpose-built 1600-seat Festive Grand showroom at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). 30 months in the making, the multi-million dollar Voyage de la Vie is a bold move into originating a major permanent production for Resorts World Sentosa.

Voyage de la Vie

A scene from Voyage de la Vie

Combining the energy, physicality and athleticism of circus arts and gymnastics, the show is a contemporary cutting edge rock circus theatre spectacular told through pulsating music, extravagant costumes, awe-inspiring sets, high-flying acrobatic acts and death-defying stunts which fully engages the senses and will keep you at the edge of your seat. With a �international cast of world-class circus stars and crew brought together from 16 countries, Voyage de la Vie will be an entertainment experience like no other.

Some of the cast members of Voyage de la Vie

The show, a collaboration between RWS and The Generating Company UK, also brings together some of the most illustrious names in show design, most notably Marc Fisher at the helm as show conceiver and creative producer, with co-conceivers Philip Wm. McKinley (direction) and Ray Winkler (set design). Best known as the internationally renowned and acclaimed designer behind the stunning sets for the Beijing Olympics and Cirque du Soleil�s Ka in Las Vegas, Fisher is also the long-admired celebrated set designer for Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, U2, Tina Turner and Robbie Williams� world tours.

Amazing set of Voyage de la Vie

Viktor Kee� is one of the most recognised figures in the international circus scene today. This Ukrainian juggling master first discovered his passion for the art of juggling at the tender age of four, and has come to be known for his unique incorporation of theatre, contortion, acrobatics and dance into his act. Since then, he has toured around the world with top circus arts companies, including Cirque de Soleil�s Dralion as a principle performer. In Voyage de la Vie, he plays the role of the Lantern Keeper.

Voyage de la Vie is a story of a boy�s metaphoric journey, or a rite of passage before he becomes an adult. It tells the tale of a young man Boy, tired of the ceaseless tedium of the corporate rat race, searches for a life with more fulfilment and meaning. One day, while playing a computer game, he gets sucked into a land of fantasy where he uncovers the hidden depths of his imagination to find meaning and fulfillment.� He meets the Lantern Keeper, the charming Crystal Cat, the mesmerizing Diva, the Game Master and an assortment of curious characters symbolising Temptation, Love, Conflict and Resolution, and finally Life and Death. Gradually he comes to terms with his inner struggles and realises that it�s not the destination that counts, but the journey.

The Boy and the Lantern Keeper

Each �lesson� and stage in Boy�s journey is magnified by the thrilling contortionistic feats and death-defying acrobatic stunts performed by the impressive international cast and crew to a beautiful �live� soundtrack. Jonathan Leong (runner-up in Singapore Idol 2006) plays the lead role of “The Boy”.

From stunning cloud-swing trapeze acts by Finnish rope aerialist Liina Aunola (Life) to harrowing flying daggers and flaming arrows timed and executed to perfection by her crossbow partner Martti Peltonen (Death), and amazing bodily contortions by Russian contortionist prodigy Alexey Goloborodko (The Game Master) to beautiful trapeze acrobatics by Aurelia Cats (France) as The Crystal Cat, Voyage de la Vie succeeds in blending together a mind-boggling variety of acts in a single production with surprising finesse.

Viktor Kee plays the Lantern Keeper

Finnish cloud-swing aeralist Liina Aunola as Life

Martti Peltonen plays Death

Aurelia Cats plays Crystal Cat

Melanie Chy plays The Diva

Performers of particular note include 15-year-old contortionist Goloborodko, the youngest member in the cast. Audiences tend to drop their jaws in awe at the ease with which the puckish figure twists his limbs in improbable positions.

Alexey Goloborodko plays the Game Master

Rounding out the impressive lineup of captivating performers include Vegas magician and maestro duo Jarrett & Raja (US), who have wowed audiences around the world with their own show of illusions, including working with celebrated choreographer-director Kenny Ortega (best known for his work on High School Musical and Michael Jackson�s last tour, This is It).

Voyage de la Vie is an amazing theatrical experience. Don’t miss it if you happen to visit Singapore!

Living in today’s metropolitan world of cellular phones, mobile computers and other high-tech gadgets is not just hectic but very impersonal. We make money and then invest our time and effort in making more money. Does it end? Not usually because we are never satisfied. How many times have we convinced ourselves that if only we had some more money, life would be so sweet? But then, after receiving a substantial raise, we realize that it wasn’t enough and that we need more?

What Should You Do?

You may have read many books on life such as Robin Sharma’s Monk says this and the monk says that, and they all seem to say that money is not necessary. But it is. Can you do without cash and a lot of it? I know I can’t.

There was this man who went to the neighbourhood Rabbi and asked for advice that will help him find his true way in life.

The rabbi nodded and took him to the window. “What do you see?” he asked him.

Promptly, the man answered, “I can see people walking to and fro and a blind man is begging for alms at the left corner.”

The Rabbi nodded and guided him to a big mirror. “Now look and tell me what you see?”

“I can see myself,” the man answered.

The Rabbi smiled. “Now you can’t see anyone else. The mirror and the window are both created from the same raw material: glass, but because on one of them they have applied a thin layer of silver, when you look at it all you can see is your own reflection.”

The Rabbi placed his arm on the man’s� shoulders. “Compare yourself to those two pieces of glass. Without the silver layer, you saw the other people and felt compassion for them. When you are covered with silver, you see only yourself.”

The man looked at the Rabbi and stared. “I don’t understand.”

The Rabbi continued. “You will become someone only if have the courage to remove the silver covering over your eyes in order to again see and love others.” He patted the man on his back and sent him on my way.

I have thought of what the rabbi said and come to the conclusion that he had a point. Yes. We need money and we should not aim to lead a moneyless existence; it’s pointless and will only cause us and our families many heartbreaks in the future.

Instead, I suggest that we should follow the advice the Rabbi gave the man. When we approach life through a silver covering, all we are able to see is ourselves. But discard that covering, and you will be able to see and feel everyone else.

Conclusion:
In life, we are allowed to and should be able to look at both kinds of mirrors, but we should remember that a mirror reflects only us; a window is the door to compassion, health and true wealth. In other words, seek wealth by all means, but don’t let it dissuade you from life, people, children and the poor and needy.