Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo at Royal Albert Hall

Reality is left at the door as we enter the dreamland that is Corteo in a specially reconfigured Royal Albert Hall. Cirque du Soleil once again take residence at the venue with a show that originally premiered in 2005. This marks its second outing on British soil following a run at the O2 in 2022 and serves to celebrate an incredible 40 years of the contemporary circus company. As such, all we have come to expect from these masters of their craft are featured in a two-hour spectacle. From trapeze artists to juggling acts to puppetry and pole dancing, we are presented with a rich visual feast.

Plot and narrative are superfluous here, with only a thin story for us to grip onto. It involves Mauro, a dreamer clown who has died but is currently between this existence and the next. Imagining his own funeral playing out, our protagonist reflects on various aspects of his life. This permits a jubilant, festive energy to ensue with the unconstrained air of a carnival.

The flip side of this is that the production occasionally feels a tad too chaotic while other moments feel padded out with disappointing filler material. We know what the troupe are capable of, so such episodes feel frustrating as they lessen the overall impact of the show. Far better to cut the running time by ten or so minutes to allow for more of the sheer brilliance that dominates. A segment involving a human golf ball seems especially out of place and a muddled Romeo and Juliet sketch feels under-rehearsed and redundant.

These failings are more than made up for by the incomparable skill on display. There is nothing quite like the awe and admiration one experiences when watching the aerial acrobatics synonymous with Cirque. Here, we are gifted stunning visuals such as a member of the ensemble floating over the audience with the aid of oversized helium balloons. With spectators required to push the artist back into the air and into the right direction, there is a pleasing level of interaction, which injects further fun into proceedings.

Other notable acts include dancing on a suspended pole, the acrobatic ladder, mesmerising hoop routines, Cyr wheels, bouncing beds and the traditional circus teeterboard. Artists swinging from moving chandeliers make for a memorable aesthetic, while an aerial duo leave us yearning for more with their simply breathtaking performance. With live music throughout, one cannot help but become immersed in Mauro’s surreal and abstract world. Credit is of course due to the multitude of technicians and behind-the-scenes creatives who help bring the show to life.

This is very much a family-friendly affair. While ardent followers familiar with Cirque du Soleil might argue it doesn’t surpass the benchmark they have previously set for themselves, those new to the experience will undoubtedly be transfixed by the remarkable talent on offer.

Jonathan Marshall
Photos: MajaPrgomet, Johan Persson, Aldo Arguello

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo is at Royal Albert Hall from 9^th January until 2^nd March 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.