Internationally famend Cirque du Soleil is again on the Royal Albert Hall this 12 months with Kurios; Cabinet of Curiosities. Originally seen first in 2014, Kurios is a steampunk Jules Verne meets fantasy-styled present that’s certain to please, mystify and entertain London audiences.
Kurios revolves round a Seeker who’s satisfied that there exists a hidden, invisible world – a spot the place the craziest concepts and the grandest desires lie ready. A set of otherworldly characters all of the sudden steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters flip his world the wrong way up with a contact of poetry and humor in an try to ignite the Seeker’s creativeness, his curios bounce to life one after the other earlier than his very eyes. What if by partaking our creativeness and opening our minds we might unlock the door to a world of wonders?
In true Cirque du Soleil type, the present begins as quickly as you enter the hallowed Royal Albert Hall, with characters located across the auditorium dressed as robots, scientists and even a set of conjoined twins. Reminiscent of the O2 Climb or the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk, a big arching bridge sits atop the stage and presents a fortunate few audiences members the prospect to climb over the stage to seek out their seats on the opposite facet. Stephane Roy’s set and props design supply the viewers a glimpse of what’s in retailer with other-worldly mechanical gadgets and curious gramophone creations dotted concerning the stage. Closer to showtime, Anton Valen’s Seeker seems and begins to attach the mechanical gadgets illuminating the stage because the music begins and our imaginations are ignited.
Cirque du Soleil is thought around the globe because the preeminent up to date circus producer and their Kurios doesn’t disappoint. Ladled with perspective and Victorian grit, every act takes the stage and stuns the viewers; profitable them over repeatedly with astounding feats, skilled agility and masterful talent. Particular highlights embrace the enjoyable invisible circus carried out by Facundo Giminez from Argentina, the place invisible performers take to the stage and carry out conventional circus acts together with an actual life invisible lion. Appearing on a big shifting mechanical hand, Ayagma Tsybenova, Baasansuren Ankhbaatar, Bayarma Parry and Imin Tsydendambaeva carry out as electrical eel contortionists and delight the viewers with their craft. Andrii Bondarenko from the Ukraine performs an incredible handbalancing feat in a phase entitled Upside Down World. Andrii and the opposite characters sit at a desk as he begins to stack the chairs ontop, climbing as he goes.
Halfway via the identical scene seems within the rafters of the Royal Albert Hall, immediately above Andrii mirroring him in an upsidedown world. Will the 2 worlds meet? Act Two begins with a big web overlaying your entire stage and the viewers are handled to an exquisite Acro Net efficiency. Nine performers bounce, flip and bounce excessive into the Royal Albert Hall ceiling because the viewers sits in absolute awe smiling ear to ear. Our conjoined twins Roman Tomanov and Vitali Tomanov (each from USA/Russia) are subsequent up performing a hovering Aerial Stap routine excessive above the viewers.
Lastly, we meet Chih-Min Tuan (from Tiwan, Republic of China) who performs an incredible Yo-Yo act. Nothing like the 2 methods I might do in main college, Tuan performs with such talent and velocity the yo-yos had been a blur! A big scorching air balloon then descended upon the viewers and the Theatre of Hands was projected onto it. A really intelligent hand theatre piece, Nico Baxias (from Spain) advised a narrative utilizing on his palms which had the viewers rapt and cheering alongside. With a soundtrack you’ll be buzzing on the best way out, a set of stay musicians set the temper and add to every scene with syncopated beats, other-worldly attraction and Cirque du Soleil signature vocal.
After dealing with an unsure future through the pandemic, Cirque du Soleil is again in full power with Kurios; Cabinet of Curiosities. As the present programme aptly reads, “Close your eyes and open your heart. Now look again and behold the wonder.” With loads of surprises in retailer to mystify and delight, be sure to seize your ticket to see this magnificent manufacturing now.
★★★★★
Reviewed by Stuart James