Review: Cirque Du So-kay

adelaidenow.com.au

Ovo may suffer due to Cirque Du Soliel reputation. Simply Ovo does not reach the  same pinnacle of excellence from the Canadian circus’ previous touring shows. The costumes and staging were, as always, brilliant and dynamic, and there were disappointingly small group stand out performances, the slinky, Chinese acrobatic girls and the trampoline troupe.

The other acts offered nothing unique from any other international circus, hence the overall sense of disappointment. Cirque Su Soleil quiet rightly are known to be the best of the best. The trapeze troupe, the acrobatic couple on the rope and contortionist were very good – and that is the problem.

Lower down the pecking order was the performer on the silks apparatus, who was not even close to the best I have seen.

For me it was the absence of the flair for the dramatic and the complete sense of theatre that is usually associated Cirque Du Soleil. The synergy between light, sound and performance to weave together a performance story was just missing. The narrative of a bug trying to find and then fertilise an egg was more shoe-horned between the acts rather than the integral thread linking them.

On that, can I talk about the clowns? Yes? Thanks.

In previous shows the clowns have interacted with the audience, created distractions during stage and set changes, told the story with sublime timing all whilst surprising the audience with their own acrobatic skills. In Ovo two of the three clowns were, in part, entertaining, and their audience participation in the second half had the Grand Chapiteau shaking with laughter. They never did do any tricks or stunts and generally just created noise. Some might say that this is appropriate being that they are playing the character of bugs/insects.

The third one (pictured - and featured on many of the promotional material) did nothing. As a plus size performer her only role seemed to be the but of fat jokes.  That was it.

The second half of the show was much better than the first and continued to improve throughout. The final performance, trampolining with rock wall acrobatics and contortions was perfect. The choreography, lighting, music, and gymnastics combined to create a mind blowing ensemble piece. The quality of this performance was expected throughout.

Special mention to the Diablo performer who demonstrated amazing skill with his chosen apparatus. He then combined this with a mix of dance and surprisingly flexible gymnastics.

At half time the merchandise stands were popular and contained a great variety of quality, though over priced, clothing and decorator pieces. The beanies stand out. Out side of a Cirque Du Soleil performance I am not sure where someone would wear such elaborate headwear without looking like a bit of a dick.

The drinks stand need to turn down the temperature of their fridges. The drinks were as lukewarm as many of the performers.