Cirque du Soleil, Disney reveal two brand-new acts for ‘Drawn to Life’

Cirque du Soleil and Disney have revealed two previously-unannounced acts for “Drawn to Life,” bringing the show’s total to 10 distinct acrobatic performances when it opens on Nov. 18.

After previously unveiling some of the acts that would be featured in the show described as a love letter to the art of Disney animation, two more performances have been announced: “Garden of Lines” unicycle and “The Old Mill” double wheel acts.

Written and directed by Michel Laprise with Fabrice Becker as Director of Creation, “Drawn to Life” is a live acrobatic show that tells the story of Julie, who finds an unexpected gift left by her Disney animator father — an unfinished animation. As she explores the inner world of animation, guided by a surprising pencil, Julie embarks on a quest filled with her childhood Disney memories. The show was developed in partnership with Michael Jung, Executive Theatrical Development for Walt Disney Imagineering, alongside Walt Disney Animation Studios. The show also features all-new animation created by Disney artists led by Animation Director Eric Goldberg, best known for his work on Genie in “Aladdin.”

In the “Garden of Lines” unicycle act, Julie finds herself swept into a wonderland full of familiar shadows, shapes and outlines that pay homage to classic tales that inspire an animator. With a familiar marionette from a classic Italian fairytale as the focus, five playful unicyclists represent the Blue Fairy from Disney’s classic “Pinocchio” appear and effortlessly “float” across the stage as they perform synchronized stunts and individual tricks with precision.

“The Old Mill” double wheel act is inspired by Walt Disney’s 1937 animated short of the same name, which is seen in projections throughout the act. In the sequence, owls dreamed up by Julie’s imagination weather a storm through teamwork and courage as intense wind and rain threaten their windmill home. The windmill of the film is represented via a fast-moving double wheel structure, on which acrobats are in constant motion with the turning wheels — and at times, even airborne.