Cirque Du Soleil Kooza premieres in Europe at the Royal Albert Hall

The Cirque Du Soleil finally arrives at the Royal Albert Hall with an explosion of glitter, feathers, elaborate costumes and extreme and extreme props on the 5^th January 2013. 

Combining a thrilling mix of acting, dance, acrobatics and the skills of clowning, the Cirque Du Soleil thrills an enraptured audience. The much-anticipated arrival of the touring circus has been excitedly awaited by adults and children alike, and it did not disappoint.

Enter into the world of Cirque Du Soleil! The Innocent, a melancholy clown is led through Kooza by the magical Trickster, the creator of this mysterious land. Meeting numerous characters along the way, the Innocent searches for his place in the world until he uses the Trickster’s powers and he discovers this confusing-but-dazzling world on his own terms.

In light of the glory of the 2012 Olympic athletes, it is astounding that the strength, agility and personalities of the performers on stage were not named even in the programme for their feats. (Your reviewer wonders what the opinion of Sir Steve Redgrave – just one of the sporting VIPs spotted in the audience – would have thought about the anonymity of these multi-talented performers…) This may have been part of the act however, as the mysteries of the land of Kooza seek to enfold the audience into their world, so that the performers appear to actually be their characters.

From the dance of two lovers on a unicycle to the leg-lifting dog that caused absolute chaos around the stage, Kooza is the ultimate spectacle. Even among the booming music of the live band and the fantastically technical lightings, Cirque Du Soleil seems to have returned to its roots to reignite the traditions from which its fame originated. Slapstick, acrobatics and a whole lot of clowning-about will send you on a bizarre journey of circus nostalgia.

This was a triumph of a show from beginning to end. The audience came out of the Royal Albert Hall as if emerging from the core of a firework. Take anyone you can find and enjoy a spell-binding night in the company of Cirque Du Soleil. Buy your tickets now.

Rosie Hillsdon
Photos: Helen Parish

Kooza is at the Royal Albert Hall now. For further information or to book visit the venue’s website here.

Check out the VIP guests on the red carpet: