'Luzia' Cirque du Soleil Review
Venue: Royal Albert Hall
Dates: On until Sunday 27 February 2022
OUR VERDICT:
I try to see Cirque du Soleil whenever it comes to town, and each time I worry that the magic might have worn off; will it feel dated? Will I have become too old and bad-tempered to enjoy it?
Well, last week I headed to the Royal Albert Hall once again (which is a treat in itself) and I am pleased to say that that the world-famous circus remains as captivating as ever.
Founded in Canada in 1984 by former street performers Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix, Cirque du Soleil is the largest contemporary circus producer in the world. This year marks 25 years since it first brought its unique magic to London, with over 3.5 million spectators having witnessed its awe-inspiring acrobatics to date.
Photo credit: Matt Beard
The company has numerous shows in rotation across the world, and this year it is the turn of LUZIA at the Royal Albert Hall; an imaginary Mexico, where light (‘luz’ in Spanish) quenches the spirit, and rain (‘lluvia’) soothes the soul.
As the lights go down, a flight-style announcement is made, preparing guests for their journey to Central America, and then the immersive action well and truly begins...
It’s a tricky show to review without giving too much away, but there is not one act that disappoints. Quite the opposite; all of them spark a childlike sense of joy and wonder, my eyes wide in awe and, more often than not, disbelief.
Photo credit: Matt Beard
There are acrobats dressed as colourful hummingbirds leaping through hoops, trapeze artists swinging in the rain, a strong man balancing on his hands a dozen or so metres in the air, and an unbelievably hypnotic contortionist who, by candlelight, elegantly wrap himself in knots.
Other highlights include a skilful troupe who manage to make extremely well-timed jumps between moving metal swings, a juggler who moves so fast that it’s more like an optical illusion, and a team of performers who quite literally throw a small but incredibly strong colleague around, in a very graceful and beautifully arranged act. I could go on, but the breath-taking talent of the entire company needs to be seen to be believed.
Their talent is matched by some magnificent staging and design; the sunshine-filled colours and cultural references to Mexico, both traditional and modern, are thoughtful and beautiful as opposed to cliché, from vast deserts, playful costumes and ‘luchadors’ (professional wrestlers - very good on big swings, it seems), to the local weather, flora and fauna - there’s a wonderful scene that involves a big cat sauntering around the stage and drinking from a pool whilst an aerial strap artist thrillingly spins above.
Photo credit: Matt Beard
Water is a huge theme in the show and used incredibly effectively – when the waterfall-esque rainfalls for the first time, the gasps from the audience (myself included) were audible. The whole performance is wonderfully, magically immersive and filled with soul.
Add to this beautiful live vocals and evocative music (you’ve got to love a mariachi trumpet), sumptuous costumes, comedy cactuses and a genuinely amusing clown, and you’ve got yourself just over two hours of dazzling, life-affirming escapism. The best circus in the world is in town, and you’d be mad to miss it.
On until Sunday 27 February 2022 at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP
Tickets prices vary depending on demand. To book visit https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2022/cirque-du-soleil-luzia/
