Cirque du Soleil: Alegría – In a New Light at Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil premiered Alegría in 1994. The production became an instant favourite among the public worldwide, to the point that in 2019, the company worked on a renewed edition, Alegría: In a New Light – a spectacle of colours and updated music beats, refined to resonate with contemporary values and sensibilities. The show is now inaugurating its 30^th anniversary with a seven-week run at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and it’s a spellbinding return.

After an unhurriedly paced beginning, where Mr Fleur (Bohdan Zavalishyn), the King’s fool, is attracted by the power of crown and sceptre, the first act sneaks in via the opening parade and holds the crowd in wonder with Acro Poles, combining Russian Bars and Banquines. The characters of the aristocrats demonstrate incredible flexibility and a sharp rebound in their bouncing over vaulting poles. Some of the night’s highlights are undoubtedly the team segments, among which are the group of Bronx (street rebellious gang), who flip over elongated trampolines in rapid somersaults and acrobatics.

From Samoa, Falaniko Solomona Penesa brings an awe-inspiring feat in juggling with fire to the potent rhythm of the drummer. It’s a hypnotic game of shadows, set ablaze by the rotating spinners his arms had metamorphosed into. A different type of goosebumps are induced in the audience right after the intermission, rising from the theme song Alegría: Yulia Makeeva and Alexey Turchenko embrace each other, pivot on solo, ascend and descend in graceful spirals through their straps, ending on a touching aerial kiss.

Talking about the music, which constitutes one of the significant components of the Cirque du Soleil productions, it’s no surprise the soundtrack has received great success on its own. At times, the score represents the robust spine upon which the stunts are built; at others, the tunes blend in the background fluidly. The modular voices of Sarah Manesse, Singer in White, and Cassia Raquel, Singer in Black, slide into different languages and registers for unobtrusive and yet passionate performances.

The narrative is deftly knitted, with sequences weaved together so that the artists go in and out, acts move on and switch seamlessly, like parts of a book with intersecting chapters. Clowns Pablo Bermejo and Pablo Gomis Lopez are top entertainers. With their conversation sounding like Minion-esque gibberish, the duo provides amusing sketches that wholly capture one’s attention, while the platforms and props are discreetly set. Their act comprises a scene involving an audience member, as well as a romantic snowstorm.

The “wow” effect and crescendo of emotions emerge from a finely tuned concoction of terrific elements: the talent on stage, the craft behind the scenes and the technicians around the hall. After the curtain call, what’s left is a light, warm sensation.

Cristiana Ferrauti
Images: Virginie Viche

Cirque du Soleil: Alegría – In a New Light is at Royal Albert Hall from 11^th January until 3^rd March 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.