Alessandra Gonzalez is currently starring as Zoe in the world tour of Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam which comes to the Royal Albert Hall next year from 4th January until 16th February.
Quidam received its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. Since then the production has toured on five continents and played to over 10 million patrons worldwide. During the run of Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall, Cirque du Soleil will welcome its 3 millionth London patron.
Prior to joining Cirque du Soleil, Alessandra starred in several musicals in Italy where she is from. Her roles included Satine in Moulin Rouge, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Wendy in Peter Pan.
Alessandra happened to see a casting call for Zoe in Quidam back in 2010 on Facebook. Following an audition at Cirque du Soleil’s International Headquarters in Montreal she was offered the part (2,000 girls applied for the role) and began performances in 2011.
Alessandra chats to West End Frame about being offered the role, how she felt the first time she saw Quidam and why she’s so excited about bringing the production to London…
Can you tell me a bit about your role, Zoé, in the Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam?
Zoe is a young child who feels neglected by her parents. Like every child she wants to play and find fun in her life. Then a mysterious character, Quidam, appears and brings her to his magical world where she meets John and Target, two companions to share her journey.
What can audiences expect from the show?
From any Cirque du Soleil show audiences can expect world class acrobats, live music, amazing sound and lighting… but Quidam is more than that. It’s a very special show. I still remember my very first experience from the audience side. There were moments where I couldn't stop laughing, others so intense where I held my breath for the whole act, and others where the vibe and the music were so involving that I couldn't stop dancing while sitting on my chair! There is drama, joy, amazing and colourful costumes and a touching storyline to follow. The whole family can enjoy it and fully appreciate it.
Do different audiences react differently when you tour to different countries? How do they compare?
In my experience so far, all audiences are wonderful but the biggest noticeable difference between countries and cultures can always be seen in how people participate in and react to the clown act.
I believe you joined the cast after seeing the casting call on Facebook! Why did you decide to audition and did you ever think you would get the part?
Yes, I happened to join the Cirque casting group on Facebook not even a week before the audition for the role of Zoe got posted! I read the character description and I suddenly thought "this is me!" At that time I was living by myself and performing in musical theatre productions in Rome, but it wasn't enough to pay the rent and bills. I put my audition video together and sent it off. Even though I kept checking my email and holding my breath every time I head the sound of an incoming message for a month, I tried to not put too much hope on it.
How did it then feel when you found out you had got the part out of 2,000 applicants?!
I started jumping and screaming around the house. I just got back home from my last audition in Montreal and the email offering me the role of Zoe arrived. I could never forget that feeling. I called my mum and all my friends in tears!
What are the cast like to work with? It’s a very skillful show so must require you to all have a very close bond?
We share everything: not only work but life outside as well. We respect each other feelings and commitment to work. Of course the closer people are the better the performance on stage. The bond between Target and Zoe is a strong friendship and complicity and that interaction is possible because of our friendship off stage. Our characters are playful so we play and tease each other for real all the time!
How do you find touring life? It must be amazing to see lots of different places but hard to be away from home all the time?
It is a hard lifestyle indeed, but what you get from it is indescribable and it will be part of me forever. I joined 3 years ago and I've visited so many places, I work with cast mates who come from all over the world. I never would have imagined experiencing anything like it in my life. Here, we all live away from our loved ones so we are close to one another and we help each other out in the hard times like a big family.
Are you looking forward to bringing the show to London?
I'm so excited about it! I've been there for 2 advance PR days and I fell in love with the city and I still can't believe I'll be performing at Royal Albert Hall! I'm sure it's going to be an intense and amazing experience! I can't expect anything less from a city like London! I also started planning my days off there already and I'll try to see as many shows as I can. Musical theatre is what I was doing before joining Cirque and just the thought of West End makes my heart skip a beat!!
Interview by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Quidam runs at the Royal Albert Hall from 4th January until 16th February 2014.
Please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/quidam for further information and tickets.
Photo Credit 2&3: Matt Beard
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