Cirque du Soleil is back in Vancouver touring under its famous blue and yellow big top with KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities, on now until December 31, 2017.
Each Cirque du Soleil show is based around an abstract storyline, with different characters and acrobatic circus acts. KURIOS is themed after an old fashioned French circus with a mad-scientist-like character (“The Seeker”) who believes in an invisible world where “wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, and the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams await“.
KURIOS has a cast of 46 artists from 16 different countries. The oddball characters include a ringmaster, a fortune teller, conjoined twins, an ‘accordion man’, a yo-yo master, a tiny lady, and an invisible circus, all of whom add colour and humour to the show.
Every time I watch one of Cirque du Soleil’s incredible performances, I am so impressed by what the human body can do. Not only am I amazed by the physical acts of strength, flexibility, balance and coordination, but also the mental bravery of getting in front of an audience and partaking in daring acts like leaping from great heights and flying through the air.
The Cirque production is fantastic at including audience members into their shows and making sure that no seat has a bad view. The performers turn at all angles to give everyone a great view…sometimes even running into the audience! There is so much action on the KURIOS stage, no matter what corner of the stage you are looking at, something different and interesting is happening at all times. The show kept me captivated throughout the two-hour performance, sometimes laughing, sometimes holding my breath while anticipating acts of bravery from great heights.
This is the sixth Cirque du Soleil show I have attended and one of my favourites! About 60% of the artists featured in the show have already worked with Cirque du Soleil before, so you may see some familiar faces.
Take a peek at my top three favourite acts from KURIOS:
a chandelier suspended above their heads move. Another guest challenges him by piling up chairs in an attempt to reach the chandelier. All of a sudden, the group realizes that their exact double exists in a parallel universe right above them where the same scene is unfolding… but upside down! In this original chair-balancing act, they will compete against each other through feats of ingenuity and daring to achieve their ends.
Cirque du Soleil KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities is on now until December 31 at Concord Pacific Place. Tickets are available beginning at $49 at: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/canada/vancouver/kurios/buy-tickets.
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Photography Credit: Martin Girard / shootstudio.ca Costumes: Philippe Guillotel © 2014 Cirque du Soleil
