Review: Cirque du Soleil's Phenomenal Extravaganza KURIOS – Cabinet des Curiosités Amazes and Dazzles!

Cirque du Soleil has brought its newest touring show, KURIOS - Cabinet des Curiosités under the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top to Southern California, beginning October 15 in Costa Mesa at the OC Fair & Event Center, followed in Los Angeles by Cirque du Soleil's first visit to Dodger Stadium beginning December 10, 2015. And while I have seen several other Cirque presentations before, nothing compares to the phenomenal acrobatics and dazzling artistic presentation which 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!

Fourteen different scenes play out, each more incredible than the one before as we are treated to the magical worlds these characters create. 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!

As the show progresses, we meet an amazing juggler who flies through the air while keeping more bowling pins spinning in the air than you would think is possible, as does an incredibly nimble bike rider who uses the two-wheeler as a trapeze. The Seeker than introduces us to his "invisible" circus performers, and as this equipment movies as if occupied by these imaginary characters, I guarantee the Seeker's pantomime skills along with the perfectly timed scenic elements movement will make you believe his imaginary world is very real - as least to him.

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 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 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, an incredible balancing act performed by one man standing 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 even higher towers of moving objects, even while being lifted in the air as he disappears through the fog-filled large hole at the top of the tent.

Act 2opens with a large acro net stretched across the stage on which incredible acrobats leap as high as the top exit hole. This is the only time a safety net appears on the stage during the show. Continent of doubles presents two perfectly matched muscular acrobats who each fly thought he air while tethered to 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 who made two of the toys dance through the air at high speed and a "dance of the hands" with several "puppeteers" using their hands alone to create the illusion of real people dancing along the table top. It was quite comical as well as creatively spectacular.

But is 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 8 men and 2 slight women, this incredibly precise group actually stacked themselves five high, catapulted the final person to the top. They make 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. I dare you to watch the entire act without catching your breath!

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, an 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 continue at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa through November 29, 2015. Following Costa Mesa, KURIOS travels to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles December 10, 2015 through February 7, 2016. Tickets range in price from $50 - $165 and can be purchased online at cirquedusoleil.com/kurios or by calling 1-877-924-7783.

Photo credit: Martin Girard

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