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Halil Gashi stars in The Imagineer

Halil Gashi stars in the new acrobatics-meets-IMAX show The Imagineer, which lands in Dubai this weekend. Here he talks about staying fit and working with James Cameron

Prepare to be whisked away into a surreal fantasy world, as The Imagineer debuts in Dubai tomorrow at 8pm.

The show, which combines live acrobatics with IMAX visuals, was written by Alexander Stroynov for the Las Vegas-based experimental ensemble Le Petit Cirque.

Coming to the Meydan IMAX Theatre, the production will run for five performances in all – with 5pm and 8pm shows on Friday and Saturday.

City Times spoke with the star of the show Halil Gashi, who plays The Imagineer himself. Halil was born in Kosovo and has previously performed in the theatrical Beatles tribute Love for more than three years in Vegas, as well as the 2012 feature film Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 3D.

How would you describe the fantasy world of The Imagineer?

Without giving away too much, it’s a high-energy circus show which takes the audience into the imagination of The Imagineer. If I can say one thing, it’s that the audience will be left with a visual impression never before seen in the region.

Can you tell us a little about your character in the show?

My character, The Imagineer, is on a journey that offers a metaphorical search within the individual’s mind. The characters represent various traits within the same imagination. During my performance, I will be using both acrobatics and dance moves to deliver a non-verbal dialogue between the characters seen throughout the show.

What is the hardest thing about being a professional acrobat?

Apart from perfecting a move, there is no single thing about being an acrobat that is hard. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of work, dedication, practice and energy – but all of this is a natural consequence of my passion for the art. Practice for me is part of my DNA now. I don’t look at these performances as a routine or work. When I get into a specific role, the studying, analysing and practice all become second nature to do it justice and quite frankly I love it. How many people get to say that they wake up in the morning, go to sleep at night and do exactly what they want to do in the middle?

You’ve won awards for your athletic capabilities. What do you do to stay trim and healthy and what are your key fitness tips?

My performance is a result of the practice that I put in. I put in several hours of practice and training every week to stay fit and perform at my peak, irrespective of an upcoming show. I do this because, again, it’s what I love to do. I am by no means an expert, but If I had to give any fitness advice, it’s simply to find an activity or fitness routine that you genuinely enjoy doing. Anything else will eventually turn into a menial task and you’ll begin to lose interest.

You’ve previously worked with James Cameron, who was the executive producer for the Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 3D movie. What was that experience like?

James Cameron is a living legend. I’ve seen most of his movies and I’m a genuine fan. As the executive producer on the show, he lent his brilliance to making the film what it was, coupled with the amazing directorial skills of Andrew Adamson (Shrek). Mr. Cameron is extremely sharp and knows exactly what he wants. He will not compromise on the vision that he has and that’s what makes him a brilliant writer, producer and director. I’ll admit, seeing him on set, I was definitely a bit star-struck – it is after all James Cameron! He has brought to life some of the best movies ever seen on the silver screen.