Kooza by Cirque du Soleil

Wheel Of Death Photo: Tomas Correa Arce Costumes: Marie Chantale Vaillancourt

Originally published on Alt Media

This years edition of Cirque du Soleil is one of their best to date as they seamlessly blend breath-taking acrobatics with a heartfelt and mesmerising story.

The first thing that captures your eye as you walk into the big top setting is the exquisite stage design which brilliantly melds with the story of wonderment presented as the Innocent is taking through his journey by the Trickster.

Helping to break up the story with humorous elements are the Clown King (Gordon White) and his buffoon compadres (Miguel Berlanga and Michael Garner) who also welcome two unsuspecting audience members which garnered rapturous lighter and applause.

Acrobatically the elements are sublime with the Mongolian contortionists (Odgerel Byambadorj and Sunderiya Jargalsaikhan) and the Wheel Of Death (performed by Columbia's Jimmy Ibarra and Ronald Solis) standouts. Each of these acts had me gasping for breath or feeling my heart in my thought for entirely different reasons. The contortion act has you questioning the limits of the human body whilst the Wheel of Death could very easily live up to the monicker.

My only complaint with the show was the balance of the show across the two halves, whilst the first half seemed action packed and over in a flash the second felt a little slower whilst also ending abruptly. Despite these concerns I recommend checking out the show to the utmost degree, especially now given the extended season.

Until Nov 13. Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park. $60-355. Tickets & Info: www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza

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