Cirque du Soleil Performer Voki Kalfayan
Cirque du Soleil is in residence at the Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at Cyberport. The Canadian theatrical troupe features more than 50 performers from 14 countries, including acrobats, dancers, musicians and - of course - clowns. Voki Kalfayan, one of the company’s resident performers, clowns around with Susan Buchanan.
HK Magazine: Why did you run away and join the circus?
Voki Kalfayan: The first time I auditioned for clown school, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I had studied and been involved in theater and acting for a while, and went to the clown-school audition partly for the experience. I ended up liking it a lot and have been a clown for 10 years now.
HK: Do people take you seriously?
VK: Actually, Cirque du Soleil has such a good reputation that it is the first time people have taken me seriously. Before, I was just some clown. Now I have clout!
HK: Mothers often warn against clowning around. What’s your worst injury?
VK: Once I had three stitches after banging my head as I jumped through a trap door. In the show, I disappear through it and have to close it really quickly, and once I did it during the morning show but accidentally hit myself instead of closing it properly. I had to rush to the emergency room and get stitches, then come back in an hour and a half for the next performance.
HK: So, are you funny?
VK: I don’t usually find myself funny because we’re not on stage making jokes, per se, we’re just playing characters. Sometimes, when the audience does something funny, it cracks me up. During one section of the show, I call up four members of the audience to take part and sometimes they go off into their own little worlds. We once had this crazy old man on stage who was so into it. He was great!
HK: For all the exhibitionists out there, what’s the best way to ensure you’re picked for audience participation?
VK: I try to choose people that look like they’re a good blend of shy and outgoing. You want someone who will be comfortable enough to have fun and put on a good show, but you don’t want someone so outgoing that they try to steal the show. Then the audience thinks that person is a part of the show and starts to think that it’s rigged and the choices aren’t random.
“Quidam” runs until Dec 4 at The Grand Chapiteau, Waterfront Park, Cyberport. Tickets $200-$1,400 from HK Ticketing, 3128-8299.