Performer Derek Diaz balances above the water stage in the Cirque Italia tent. Jesse Gill/CHAT News.

By Jesse Gill

Cirque Italia’s Water Circus kicks off four days of shows in Medicine Hat

Aug 15, 2024 | 3:16 PM

The travelling circus Cirque Italia, in Medicine Hat for four days, has designed a stage that holds 35,000 gallons of water that makes up the centre of its water circus show.

Their stage arrived at the the corner of Medicine Hat Mall parking lot on Monday and is set up and read for shows throughout the weekend.

Alex Acero is the director, ringmaster, clown and comedian for the show with the visiting circus’ gold unit.

Acero is a fourth generation circus performer, who also has two daughters in the show, continuing on the fifth generation.

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He said the water stage, worth $500 million, is unique.

“”We have 27 computers that go around the stage. There’s the computers that pull the water, drop the water, do all the designs,” Acero said.

“They only have three in the world. One in Dubai, one in Las Vegas, and one right here in your town. So I think it’s something you can’t miss.”

There are 17 live performers in the show, with a live band and a number of international performers from around the world.

From Mexico, couple Antonio Leyva Campos and Lupita Leyva Meraz, are a pair of cross bow performers, who have performed together for eight years who have a Guinness World Record.

Jesse Gill/CHAT News

“The last thing we do in our act is a Guinness World Record. Our record is for 16 crossbows,” Leyva Meraz said.

“If you want to see a Guinness World Record live, you have to come,” she added.

“Shot at the same, in a chain reaction.”

I didn’t have to stand in front of the target for the 16 cross bows, but got a promise from this performing couple that it’s a show you can’t miss as I held a balloon popped by an arrow.

Leyva Meraz said they love performing for a crowd.

“When you see, when you hear the screaming of the people, exciting, with the reaction, the last trick is really good that they got so excited,” Leyva Meraz said.

“That’s the really good part. We feel it when the people like our show.”

Derek Diaz is a second generation performer, who has an act by himself and with his dad in the show.

The 20-year old hand balancer started practicing when he was seven and has performed since the age of 11.

Something he has perfected over that time.

“When I was little, it was a little difficult, and then as the years progressed, it was just something natural,” Diaz said.

Acero said they travel just over 11 months of the year with a group of 67 and enjoys what they do for the crowd.

“We make people forget about the problems, at least for two hours,” Acero said.

“They come here, they sit down, they eat the cotton candy, they eat the popcorn, and they enjoy the show,” he added.

“They’re clapping, they’re laughing, they forget about the texting, they forget about that. I think it’s one of the best part of the show.”

Tickets are available online, or through the box office on-site.