Lasers, stunts and the eternal struggle

A show created for the Jerusalem Light Festival showcases special effects, lasers and lights, and acrobatics.

By SHIRA FRAGER
Light as a butterfly (photo credit: Courtesy)
Light as a butterfly
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The Butterfly Effect, a performance combining light and special effects, portrays the legend of two ancient cultures who battle over the control of light. The show comprises air stunts and acrobatic movement, and makes use of lasers, lights and video art.
According to Mini Israel marketing director of incoming tourism Ravit Keren, the show was created to accompany the annual Jerusalem Light Festival, held in the Old City. “Every year they build a special production for the light festival in Jerusalem,” she said. “We [Mini-Israel] look for a special production we can do here during the summer.” When manager Sharon Nino built the amphitheater at Mini Israel, he heard about The Butterfly Effect and suggested it be brought to be performed in the 1,500-seater arena. “He checked this out and liked it very much,” said Keren.
According to producer Eran Fisher, the performance contains an underlying message. “The moral is the light is inside each of us, and [we use it as] strength... to give to the weak,” said Fisher. Although not one word is spoken about Gilad Schalit in the performance, Fisher said, “this show is truly the story of Gilad Schalit, the lost son.”
While some of the actors had previous experience as gymnasts and acrobats, others started from scratch. Participants attended intensive workshops before working on the performance, which took three months of preparation.
Tel Aviv local Omer Kaplan said he was blown away by the production. “The level of the acrobats and the size of the show was overwhelming,” he said. “I’ve seen similar shows in [Las] Vegas by Cirque du Soleil, and I have to say it was at least as good.” According to Fisher, the most difficult aspects of the show were the technical elements that went into creating it, which Fisher termed a “breakthrough.” “It’s not just the artist, it’s everything that goes into it,” he said.
The show was part of a collaboration between Uri Vidilivsky, known as one of Israel’s most prominent theater and dance composers, and Circus Y, a pioneer and leader in Israeli circus art.
At its opening last month, The Butterfly Effect was put on twice every week. According to Keren, about 800-900 people saw it on the first day. “With some 200-300 attending every day [since], we hope that during August we will have more people seeing the show.”
Entrance to The Butterfly Effect is NIS 20 on top of the admission fee to Mini Israel. There will be a performance at 8:30 p.m.every day except Fridays, through the end of August.
Mini Israel is near Latrun, and is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about the show, visit www.minisrael.co.il or call 1-700-559-559.