Cavalia rides into town under the big top

Beach lot transformed into theatre production throughout the holidays

By SUSAN TAM Special To The Daily Press

When Normand Latourelle comes to town, he doesn’t travel light.

His entourage recently hauled to Santa Monica Beach 50 semi-trailer trucks, 37 horses, and 2,500 tons of dirt — roughly the weight of a small warship.

Latourelle is the creator of the spectacle “Cavalia,” a touring theatrical production that has recently set up camp at the beach parking lot north of the Santa Monica Pier.

“You go to see the Rolling Stones, and they travel with 40 trucks,” Latourelle said. “We travel with 50. It’s like building a city.”

The show, which opens next Wednesday, is reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil — only with horses. It features a series of choreographed acts including trick riding, Roman riding, vaulting, vertical rope, tumbling, and dancing set to live music and projected images. Horses cavort with acrobats, aerialists and riders in front of a constantly changing background projected on a 200-foot wide screen. Infused with live music and vocals, the show also features the talents of acclaimed European “horse-whisperer” Frédéric Pignon and his wife, Magali Delgado.

Cavalia incorporates elements of the idea of human versus nature, and explores the relationship between man and horse, said Latourelle, who also is one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil.

The stage for Cavalia is not a ring because the audience faces the stage, Latourelle said. The 110-foot stage also is extremely steep, so that everyone can see, he said.

“In terms of design, everything is doubled, (compared to other productions),” Latourelle said.

The horses are tended to around the clock in their stables, as well as in their new paddock by the sea, which was created by trucking in 5 million pounds of materials, including a rock dust that is layered on top of the asphalt parking lot to provide cushioning.

The show uses 69 performers and 37 horses from all over the world, 18 of which are stallions.

Depending on the needs of the horses, shows will run five to six days a week, possibly through December. If the horses need rest, shows will be cut, which is why there are not too many advance ticket sales, Latourelle said.

“Some people say that the horses are treated better than the people (that work on the show),” Latourelle said.

Latourelle first came up with the idea for Cavalia 10 years ago in Drommondville, Quebec while working on a historical documentary production. He wrote the script for the show, which at one point, called for a horse to cross the stage.

“We had 125 performers. Every night when the horse walked across the stage, that’s what people were looking at, despite all the choreography of the performers that we put so much effort into,” Latourelle said, adding it was the attention given to the horse that inspired him to explore the possibilities.

“I had no idea what a horse was... a horse and camel was the same thing,” Latourelle said, laughing. “Then, from that, I started to buy books, videos, and go to every event. Rodeo, dressage, jumping. Two or three years later, I bought horses. I called couple of friends who were doing stunts to come see what we can do.

“Five or six years ago, I saw video of (husband and wife team) Frédéric (Pignon) and Magali (Delgado) so I went to meet them. It was a revelation.”

Latourelle thinks Santa Monica is the best venue in the world for his show.

When he first arrived more than a year ago, the show was set to be in downtown Los Angeles.

“When I first flew here, somebody picked me up and told me to hurry because they were late to the site. I said, ‘no, no, I want to see the ocean,’ because I am from the East, and I want to see the Pacific,” he said.

When he saw the pier, Latourelle instantly decided that he had to have the show there, despite restrictions by the city. The City Council voted unanimously in September to allow the show.

“... It’s not a circus, it is a theater,” he said. “We had to fight for it.”

“Well, this is the perfect spot. It’s the most fabulous site. Look at the view of the ocean, he said, with a sweep of his arm.

“It’s the best site.”