Australians Shine in Cavalia + Brisbane Shows Now Extended Until 31 March

On stage, in the air and behind the scenes, four Australians are set to shine as part of the spectacular theatrical production Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse, when it opens under the White Big Top in Brisbane on March 6 for the national premiere season.

Due to strong ticket sales, Normand Latourelle, Founder and Artistic Director of Cavalia, is pleased to announce another week of shows for the Brisbane season, with performances now scheduled through to March 31.

A show unlike any other, Cavalia stars 42 magnificent horses and features 36 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers and musicians from all over the world, celebrating the relationship between humans and horses while virtually reinventing the equestrian arts. Applauded globally, the show features performers and crew members from Canada, France, Belgium, the United States, Morocco, Spain, Moldavia and Russia, with four Australians firmly holding court amidst a sea of international accents. The four Aussies are Bianca Ruyssenaers, Acrobat and Dancer; Donna Morton, Stable Director; Kerrie Cokley, Stable Coordinator, and Callum Snell, Groom. 

ON STAGE & IN THE AIR

Bianca Ruyssenaers

The premiere Australian season of Cavalia will be the first full season for Gold Coast born gymnast and acrobat Bianca Ruyssenaers, who performs bungee, trampoline and dance in the show. This 19-year old is famed for her distinguished bungee skills and aerial artistry.

Hers is a story of dream chasing since she was three years old, of 23 hours a week in training all through her formative years and of constant practising trampolining in the backyard of her Gold Coast home and at Delta St Hilda`s gym school.  Her already formidable abilities have been finely tuned since making the Australian Team in 2008, under the guidance of her coach Natalie Moore. So much so, that her dream of performing on the world stage was realised in 2012 when she received the call from Cavalia – her audition had been successful, she was set to star in the world’s hottest and biggest touring production.

THE MAGIC BEHIND THE SCENES

Donna Morton, Kerrie Cokley and Callum Snell

While the 42 majestic horseswill steal every show during Cavalia’s tour of Australia, behind the scenes it’s a team of equine specialists – counting three Australians - who ensure the four-legged stars are treated like true royalty. The Cavalia horses live a life of luxury, their home being a custom-designed 1,500 square-metre stables located right beside the signature White Big Top.  Charged with managing the comfort and board of these magnificent animals is Gold Coast born Stable Director Donna Morton, supported by fellow South East Queenslander Kerrie Cokley as Stable Coordinator, and Callum Snell as Groom.

Donna Morton

As Cavalia’s Stable Director, Donna Morton is akin to the general manager of a five-star hotel. The former Gold Coast hinterland resident is the country’s best when it comes to management in the equestrian arts, and her role with Cavalia is coveted worldwide. Her experience covers arena spectaculars, equestrian events and film work. She was assistant to the horse master and responsible for training the riders for the 2000 Sydney Olympics Welcome Ceremony, she was pivotal in the smash hit arena show The Man from Snowy River and was horse master in the World Endurance Championships. Donna also worked on major film projects including McLeod’s Daughters and Outback Thunder.

Kerrie Cokley

Working alongside Donna is Kerry Cokley as Stable Coordinator. Originally from a small stud farm in South East Queensland, Kerrie started riding at three years of age, from Pony Club to the show ring then onto stock work, camp drafting, rodeo, harness, endurance, training, breeding and more. Also a qualified Cytek Approved Farrier, she has taken time off from her busy schedule as a beef cattle and horse production lecturer at Charles Darwin University to join the Cavalia crew. Kerrie’s role in Cavalia fits her like a glove, working with the Stable Director Donna to ensure that the home of the equine performers is kept in mint condition, and finished with all the indulgences a Cavalia steed requires.

Callum Snell

Callum Snell is a star in the making. His career began at 16 years of age when he was the youngest member of the award-winning Australian Outback Spectacular, working as a stunt performer, roman rider, camel rider and rodeo rider. He spent time at the famous EL Caballo Blanco in Western Australia as a Performance Horse Trainer and Liberty Performer and toured with The Horseman from Snowy River throughout Australia and New Zealand for almost three years as a Dressage Performer, Trick Rider and Roman Rider. After travelling and performing in many metropolis in the US and Canada, he has spent the past 12 months working at home in Australia. His joining the team at Cavalia represents a reunion for Callum with both Donna and Kerrie – he worked with them on the Gold Coast.

Brisbane is to host the Australian premiere season of Cavalia from March 6, 2013, under the company’s famed signature White Big Top in the parking lot adjacent to DFO at Brisbane Airport. Cavalia will open in SydneyonMay 15, 2013, on The Showring at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park. In Melbourne, Cavalia will open on August 7, 2013, at The Docklands.

TICKETS IN BRISBANE –Tickets are priced from $39.00 to $165.00 + applicable taxes and fees. For guests who desire an extraordinary outing, the show can be customized for an extended experience from $134.00 to $325.00, including a Horse Lovers Package that lets patrons tour Cavalia’s stables after the show, and the VIP Rendez-Vous Package that includes a post-show tour of the stables, a cocktail/dinner reception and much more. Special pricing is also available for children (2-12), juniors (13-17), senior citizens (65+) and for groups.

ABOUT CAVALIA INC. –Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Cavalia Inc. operates two separate touring shows, Cavalia and Odysseo, both of which marry the equestrian arts, stage arts and high-tech theatrical effects at never-before-seen levels. Cavalia, seen by some 3.5 million people across North America and Europe since its 2003 debut, celebrates the relationship between humans and horses by loosely recounting the evolution of this bond. Odysseo, which premiered in autumn 2011, takes the next step, leading viewers on a journey through some of the breathtaking landscapes horses have helped humans discover around the globe. Follow Cavalia Inc.’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavaliaor www.facebook.com/cavalia.

BRISBANE

WHAT:         Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse

WHEN:        Premieres March 6, 2013; Extended until March 31, 2013

WHERE:      Under the White Big Top, in the parking lot adjacent to DFO at Brisbane Airport

TICKETS:    Available at www.cavalia.com.auor by calling 1800-765-955. $39.00 to $325.00 + applicable taxes and fees. Special pricing and packages also available for groups, children (2-12), juniors (13-17) and seniors (65+).

INFO:         www.cavalia.com.au