CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ANNOUNCES FIVE ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES FOR SYDNEY SEASON OF SALTIMBANCO

Due to overwhelming ticket sales, Cirque du Soleil has just announced an additional five shows for the Sydney season of Saltimbanco. This is the final release of tickets and no further extension of the season will be possible.
The additionalperformances will be held on Friday 5 August at 8pm, Saturday 6 August at 4pm & 8pm, and Sunday 7 August at 1pm & 5pm. Tickets will go on sale this Monday April 18 at 9.00am online at www.ticketek.com.au or via phone on 132 849.
Saltimbanco, proudly presented by Optus, will open in Sydney on 27 July, 2011 at ACER Arena following seasons in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane and Newcastle. Saltimbanco recently concluded a hit season in Istanbul, Turkey and a tour of South Africa, Cirque du Soleil’s first visits to these two countries.
Saltimbanco, from the Italian “saltare in banco” which literally means to jump on a bench, is the show which started Australia’s love affair with Cirque du Soleil when the internationally-acclaimed entertainment company first toured here in 1999.
Directed by Franco Dragone, Saltimbanco features an international cast of over 50 performers and musicians from more than 20 different countries.
Set inside an imaginary metropolis of colourful inhabitants, Saltimbanco features breathtaking acrobatics and unbelievable athleticism during solo spotlights and epic ensembles. Decidedly baroque in its visual vocabulary, the show’s eclectic cast of characters draws spectators into a fanciful, dreamlike world where diversity is a cause for hope. Technical expertise and extravagant design are woven together with spectacular costumes, amazing lighting, humour, and enchanting live music. Overflowing with colour, amusement and amazement, Saltimbanco is a fun show for the whole family to enjoy.

About Cirque du Soleil
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from close to 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators (almost 12 millions on Saltimbanco since 1992) in 300 cities on five continents. In 2011, Cirque du Soleil will present 22 shows simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com
Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park – 27 July-7 August 2011
Additional shows being released on April 18:
Friday 5 August, 8pm
Saturday 6 August, 4pm & 8pm
Sunday 7 August, 1pm & 5pm
Tickets: Adults: $69-$119, Children (2-12 years): $55-$95
Premium: $159
Tapis Rouge VIP Experience $325 – to purchase Tapis Rouge tickets visit www.showbiz.com.au/saltimbanco or ring 1800 CIRQUE
Bookings: Ticketek 132 849 and www.ticketek.com.au
Visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco
Photo courtesy of: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/saltimbanco/default.aspx