Kurios is a Cirque du Soleil touring production which premiered on April 24, 2014 … looks at a late-19th century world inventor who invents a machine that defies the laws of time, space and dimension in order to reinvent everything around him with steampunk elements …
Click PLAY or watch a trailer on YouTube.
It’s charmingly low tech. Retro-futuristic.
I was won over by the first act featuring juggling and percussion. Yes juggling! What a terrific act.
The drums were great too. As a big fan of the Swiss Top Secret Drum Corp (VIDEO), I’ve always wanted Cirque to use more drummers.
Russian Cradle Duo. Aerial Bike. Excellent simple acts with no computerized lighting wizardry.
The mandatory Contortion act is entertaining. But when they started stacking chairs, I was ready to protest. Old school circus is a refreshing throw back, but I’d seen Chinese troupes perfect this act decades ago. Shockingly, that turned out to be the favourite act of one of my non-gymnast friends. It’s a brilliant twist.
The most difficult act is Rola Bola. It looks impossible to me. You have to see it to believe it.
I was happy this show has no “clowns”. The one so-called Clown Act was hilarious. A brilliant bit of physical comedy that reminded me of the best of Jim Carrey and Andy Kaufman.
The Hands Puppetry act is fascinating and edgy, as well.
Banquine. Brilliant. These Bases are as good as any I’ve seen.
But the favourite act of the gymnast I was with was Acro Net. Rather than yet another variation of Tramp wall, this show has a gigantic trampoline. Hugely difficult skills done with the assistance of double bounce. Acro Net has tons of future possibilities.
Personally I could live without Invisible Circus and Yo-Yo. But this show has very few dull moments compared to most.
Kurios is a brave and interesting experiment, especially for those who’ve seen a lot of shows.
It travels next to Denver, Chicago, Costa Mesa CA and Los Angeles.
related – interview with writer and director Michel Laprise (VIDEO)
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