Cirque du Soleil has brought its newest touring show, “Kurios” – Cabinet des Curiosités under the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top to Southern California with its first visit to Dodger Stadium continuing through Feb. 7. And while I have seen several other Cirque presentations before, nothing compares to the phenomenal acrobatics and dazzling artistic presentation that will engulf you in a world of awe and wonder.
Written and directed by Michel Laprise, , “Kurios” – Cabinet des Curiosités is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audience inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. In this realm set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, reality is quite relative indeed as our perception of it is utterly transformed, almost a if reality has actually twisted itself so the impossible is taking place before our eyes.
In a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world in his larger-than-life curio cabinet – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams lie waiting. A collection of otherworldly and incredibly acrobatic characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world and turn it upside down in an attempt to ignite the Seeker’s imagination. His odd assortment of curios jumps to life one by one before his very eyes, making the impossible seem plausible. And luckily we are taken along for the awe-inspiring ride during which children of all ages will want to live out their dream of running off and joining this incredible collection of marvelous circus acts!
The show begins with the cast of characters entering on a train from within the curio cabinet. As they travel around the audience, the excitement builds – just watch the faces of children around you! Fourteen different scenes play out, each more incredible than the one before as we are treated to the magical worlds these characters create. As the show progresses, incredibly nimble bike rider Anne Wessbeicker from France uses the two-wheeler as a trapeze. David-Alexandre Despres from Canada introduces us to his unique collection of “invisible” circus performers, with his comic pantomime movements perfectly timed with scenic elements that will make you believe his imaginary world is very real.
And what would a Cirque du Soleil show be without a collection of incredible contortionists? You won’t have to wait long to find out as 3 seemingly boneless women from Russia (Bayarma Zodboeva, Ayagma Tsybenova and Khaliuka Narankhuu) stretch their bodies in unison to places seemingly impossible to reach. Their remarkable physical skills almost prepare you for what is next – an upside down world where a chair-stacking climber (Andreii Bondarenko from Ukraine) on an elegant banquet table meets an identical arrangement descending from the circular hole at the top of the tent. When they meet in the middle, be ready for another truly amazing meeting of the minds!
Act 1 ends with Rola Bola, and incredible balancing act featuring James Eulises Gonzalez Correa from Columbia who first stands on a short board atop a ball. He proceeds to wrap himself up in large rings until he contorts himself into positions which seem impossible to endure, let alone perform while balancing this way. But then he goes on to balance on an even higher tower of moving objects while being lifted in the air as he disappears through the fog-filled large hole at the top of the tent. His act will leave you breathless!
Act 2 opens with a large Acronet stretched across the stage on which incredible acrobats from around the world leap as high as the top exit hole using the net and their skill alone to propel them through the air. Then two perfectly matched muscular acrobats (brothers Roman and Vitali Tomanov from the USA) fly through the air while tethered at one wrist. It was truly amazing they managed to fly through each other’s tethered bands without getting tangled. Next up, two acts incorporating great hand coordination: an incredibly skilled Yo-Yo master (Tomonari Ishiguro from Japan) who made two of the toys dance through the air at high speed, and then a “dance of the hands” with Nico Baixas from Spain using just his hands to create the illusion of real people dancing along the table top. It was quite comical as well as creatively spectacular.
But it was the closing acrobatic marvel entitled Banquine that will make you catch your breath in anticipation and fright more than a few times. Performed by 10 men and 2 slight women from Russia, this incredibly precise group actually stacked themselves five high, catapulted the final person to the top. They made it look so easy to do, but given the need to perform many of the tasks without seeing the target, it certainly seemed possible for a trajectory to go wildly amiss. Gasps of wonder greeted each spectacularly perfect accomplishment!
Thanks to composers and musical directors Raphaël Beau, Bob & Bill, the musicians and singers who perform the often eerie accompaniment for each scene are always part of the experience, placed where they are always visible to the audience. Their enthusiasm ignites the action of each scene, as do the strange and whimsical costumes designed by Philippe Guillotel. Stéphane Roy’s strange and imaginative set and props design make this other-worldly place a most exciting one to visit. Along with the five skilled choreographers and acrobatic performance designers, kudos go to make-up designer Eleni Uranis and especially the show’s Director of Creation, Chantal Tremblay, for her brilliant vision, and of course to Director Michel Laprise who has assembled a production team who knows how to work wonders together to bring an amazing piece of art into reality.
What if by engaging our imagination and opening our minds we could unlock the door to a world of amazing possibilities? Just sit back and allow yourself to take in the wonders of , “Kurios” – Cabinet des Curiosités to find out. Performances at Dodger Stadium (enter through the Sunset Blvd. gate only) continue through Feb. 7. Tickets range in price from $50 – $165 and can be purchased online at cirquedusoleil.com/kurios or by calling 1-877-924-7783.