KURIOS by Cirque Du Soleil
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https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/kurios
12/03/2020 until 10/05/2020
Reviewed by Irena Begelfor
Having watched most of the Cirque Du Soleil shows, I have an internal "knowing" that no matter which show I see, it will be inspirational; hypnotic and will take me to a new world I never knew possible. Thursday 12th March, Cirque Du Soleil opened in Melbourne with their show Kurios. Once more, this company has confirmed that it is extraordinary. Indeed, Kurios has that inexplicable Cirque Du Soleil magic.
Kurios is a production that revolves around a 19th century inventor, called The Seeker, who invents a machine that defies the laws of time. Everything that happens on stage orbits around recreating the world through the use of industrial steam-powered machinery and the interaction he has with characters from a different dimension.
Kurios is nostalgic. It takes me back to a past I do not know of and yet it gives me a sense of familiarity. Perhaps this feeling comes from the music that reminds me of an old faraway world. The music draws me into a trans-like state. It helps tell a story of the curious characters on stage. The acts are like a series of dreams one would have in any one night.
There are many scenes that have a deep impact on me. Some acts that come to mind include The Russian Cradle where a strongman and porcelain-faced ballerina unfold from a music box. The ballerina flips like a doll, 4 meters above ground, whilst the strongman acts as a human trapeze. This act takes my breath away, none-less than the Aerial Bicycle act in which a charming, acrobat, rides a bike that eventually flies off the ground and circles around the big-top. Without any protection, she hangs off the bicycle by hand or foot, rides it upside down, back to front and all this is done as she rotates meters above ground.
Fascinating ground characters support each act. For example, there is Microcosmos, who is a man of technology and also sensitivity. His unconscious mind and intuition is represented by another character that comes out of his belly. This is Mini Lili; a striking little lady who grabs people’s attention. She might be small in height but larger than life in personality and confidence. A particularly moving moment is when Microcosmos reaches up to touch the hand of the acrobat suspended in mid-air.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Rola Bola. This is a truly fearless act in which an aviator balances on round objects as he flies, full speed, on a swing that narrowly misses the audience. Then, there are the mythical characters of the underworld. They are so strange and fairy-tale looking, I would have to liken them to something akin to sea-animals. They pirouette and rebound off a massive net, almost touching the ceiling.
Another stand-out act is the Siamese Twins who dance in the air as they are holding on to straps. They glide, coordinated and aligned. Sometimes, it looks as though they are sitting on an invisible swing in a park, moving fast and close to the audience. A gush of air is blown my way each time one of them flies overhead.
Oh and there is more, so much more! I did not yet mention the world class yo-yo man, the sublime shadow creations of the puppeteer, and the hilarious invisible circus.
Not only are these acts incredibly impressive technically, each performer on stage takes on a persona. They live through their character. At times, I forget that these are human beings.To me, they morph into strange beasts and creatures that are nothing like myself.
The costumes, the backdrop, the props are what fairy-tales are made from.
Kurios is here until May this year. This is a must see.