Cirque du Soleil signs additional 5 year deal with PortAventura theme park

Barcelona (ACN).- Next summer, the world famous entertainment troupe Cirque du Soleil will be coming once again to PortAventura resort in southern Catalonia, where they will remain until 2020. The five-year partnership deal was signed by the two companies, following the success of ´Koozo´; the show the troupe performed last summer at the Catalan theme park, which attracted an audience of over 100,000 people. The Canadian-based company, which is renowned for its spectacular shows that feature some of the best acrobatics in the world, has previously performed in cities such as London, New York and Paris, and its show next year will coincide with PortAventura’s 20^th anniversary. The show on offer next year will be ´Amaluna´, a dazzling performance piece set on a mysterious island that combines a coming-of-age tale with a love story. The Catalan resort, one of the most popular family destinations in Europe, is situated on the Costa Daurada (Catalan for the Golden Coast) in Tarragona, southern Catalonia, about an hour from Barcelona. The development of the €4.5 billion BCN World holiday resort is also planned for the area, with the building of 6 macro-casinos, hotels, theatres, shopping areas, a conference centre, a stadium and research institutes. In addition, Ferrari will build its first theme park in Europe.

"Best family entertainment destination in Europe"

PortAventura became last year the first European resort to host a performance by Cirque du Soleil. The popular adventure park, which hosts the tallest rollercoaster in Europe, has long a favourite family destination. Commenting on the new multiannual agreement with the circus company, General Manager of Operations for the park, Fernando Aldecoa, said the alliance becomes "another step in our international strategy to position ourselves as the best family entertainment destination in Europe".

Cirque du Soleil was equally happy with the agreement, Charles Décarie, one of the leaders of the Canadian company, said that "the Cirque du Soleil is pleased to sign a five-year agreement with PortAventura, which strengthens our presence in Spain and shows that both the local public as well as our Spanish fans are still key to the future of our company."

‘Amaluna’: love and intrigue on a mysterious island

The debut show next year will be ´Amaluna´ a spectacular piece combing theatre, music and acrobatics, noted for its cast which is 70% female. Loosely inspired by Shakespeare´s ´The Tempest´ it is set on a mysterious island governed by goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. It tells the story of the daughter of the queen Prospera, her ceremonious entry into adulthood, in a rite of homage to femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance, which marks the passage of these values from one generation to other.

Later, the outbreak of a storm caused by Prospera causes a group of young men to land on the island, an arrival that triggers an emotional and epic love story between the daughter and a courageous young suitor. But their love is put to the test and the young couple must face difficult trials and overcome adversity before achieving mutual trust, faith and harmony.