The PY1 Experience – Through the Echoes | A contemplative experience in the PY1 Montreal pyramid – An artistic and technological work signed by Lune Rouge and Guy Laliberte.
The first small pyramid acts as an entrance hall and a visual appetizer with its interplay of light, dynamic luminescent bands, arranged at an oblique angle and intersecting. As soon as you enter the room of the main pyramid, a sphere is in the middle of the room. Around it, skilfully arranged in a circular pattern, the audience slowly sits in reclining seats under an impressive holographic ceiling and a musical backdrop in the pure tradition of Cirque du Soleil with its grandiose soundscapes.
Visitors are greeted by an amazing depth effect with multiple layers of projections and an impressive amount of smoke remaining on the ceiling thanks to the suspended screen. This time, no douchebag at the bar or intrusive searches at the entrance and it’s much more enjoyable this way! Of course, this is normal, since this is a family event and not nightclub-type activities hosted by the PY1 on a regular basis.
A Charles Tisseyre-style French narrative tone (subtitled in English) begins this great allegory about the creation of the universe, the birth and destruction of life, followed by a rebirth that puts human beings at the heart of everything in a somewhat egocentric way. Kudos for the earthquake-like bass, as well as the musical evolution from ethereal to tribal and a big electronic ruckus focused around pulsating rhythm. Moderately effective, even dubious: The use of human projections instead of dancers in the room. Admittedly, it is a real visual orgy where the spectators are blown away by a whirlwind of lights and lasers that throw themselves into a great fireworks display, but the human factor is missing.
This show is aimed at the general public and this slight inconvenience that inevitably comes with it white pope and kids talking during the show. You also get a little pulled-out from your bubble because of the structure’s risers, which take away a little of the effectiveness of the projections. Despite all the state-of-the-art technological arsenal, the intention is undeniably noble, but the message barely gets through with an approach that de-intellectualizes the original intent. This is due to a script that is a tad too Walt Disney-esque and leaves too little room for self-interpretation by imposing its own perspective on existence. This experience would have been much more enjoyable without the slightly moralistic tone and a sensationalist flavour and a bit less spiritually indoctrinating aspect with these numerous symbolisms. Which makes us wonder if Guy Laliberte is a Freemason or an Illuminati?
Honestly, it would be misleading to pretend that people came out amazed or transformed, as announced with great fanfare at the beginning of the show. Some shivers related to the music are felt here and there, especially towards the finale, with a feeling of completeness that is more the result of Patrick Watson’s song heard at the very end of the representation than the show itself. It is a relatively short performance (about 45 minutes) for the entrance fee, especially when you can have much more effective experiences at the Satosphere for a fraction of the price, all this with a lot more audacity and originality!
Click for tickets info – By phone: 1-833-PY1-SHOW
Box-office: 360 rue de la Commune E, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 0B4
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