The world famous company are back in London with the European debut of Kurios .
Broadway World: **** “Cirque goes above and beyond for Kurios in terms of props and costumes and props (thanks to Stephane Roy and Phillipe Guillote respectively) but they are the cherry on top of the ballistic magic which complements the show’s commendable dramatic ballast. Whether you are a Cirque cynic or someone more open-minded, there is plenty to get your teeth into here.”
The Guardian: **** “It’s how visceral your reactions can be, that’s the appeal of circus. A lurching stomach when an aerialist plummets towards the floor, or an involuntary gasp when an acrobat nails a tricky catch. So, when someone jumps the full height of the Royal Albert Hall on a giant trampoline, and your heart leaps to join them, that’s pure joy; vicariously free and flying, all from the safety of your seat.”
Time Out: **** “The second half is a more confident, satisfyingly balanced combination of eye-popping spectacle and inventive playfulness. From the nautically designed, Jules Verne-inspired Acro Net, act to the staggeringly far-flung bodies of the Banquine acrobatics, the show pops with precision-timed adrenalin. But there’s also room among these circus feats for Nico Baxias’s irresistibly sweet Theatre of Hands, which uses cameras and projections to bring us into a miniature world.”
Metro: ***** “Any lull is merely designed to catch you off guard; the second your attention slips the next climax immediately reveals itself. And once you’re well and truly dumbstruck, they’ll find a way to dazzle you some more. As with all things curious, this is a show that must be seen to be believed.”
WhatsOnStage: **** “ultimately this is about enjoying the way such a big, bold spectacle can bring out the child in all of us. Kurios is a show that has its feet planted firmly in the sawdust, even as its astonishing acrobats soar high above us.”
British Theatre.com: ***** “This year’s show was a visual feast with stunning sets and props designed by Stephane Roy and Costumes by Phillipe Guillotel, augmented and enhanced by a talented pool of musicians and a team of choreographers who had the troupe moving with a frentic energy that was ever so infectious.”
Evening Standard: **** “Past shows have felt a little too corporate. Kurios has an earthier feel. Beware though. You will spend so much time gazing up in awe you might wake with a stiff neck. But it will be worth it.”
London Theatre.co.uk : **** “Approaching its 40th anniversary next year, by now it’s no surprise that Cirque du Soleil is a well-oiled machine. Kurios continues the circus mastery, as director Chantal Tremblay weds the ethereal and the earthly to create an all-encompassing fictional world. To adapt a line from Alice in Wonderland, this show leaves its audiences Kurios-er and Kurios-er.”
The Reviews Hub: **** “The show has its climaxes, soaring (literally and otherwise) to the heights and is seldom grounded. Served up withe customary panache. Kurios… may not have many surprises, but it is hard to think of any disappointments.”
London Theatre1: **** “Kurios has a promising theme/conceit: a cabinet of curiosities brought to life into a steampunk world. A Victorian (?) inventor/explorer is transported via one of his creations to this place (called Curiosistan) and tours the wonders there. I say promising, because while the sets are gorgeously realised, and the background characters add fun colour, It comes across at times as sexless and sterile, beyond what’s necessary to make for what is, no doubt, a family show. This doesn’t come across as the richly detailed world of, for example, last year’s UK Soleil tour, Luzia. That show, meticulously researched and inspired through company visits to Mexico, combined imagination with those happenstance discoveries that only come from visiting a real place and having preconceptions shattered by what you encounter. In comparison, I found Kurios, woven of pure imagination, somewhat flat. Many of my favourite acts were those with minimal evidence of the theme on show, and the music and movement interstitials used to connect disparate elements never quite reached the evocative highs I know Cirque du Soleil can attain.”
Rewrite This Story: **** “It’s hard to discuss the show’s contents much more because a lot of the magic comes from being surprised so I don’t want to give too much away. What I will say is that this show is a steampunk extravaganza, with some incredible wow moments, and Kurios is absolutely worth a visit for an evening like no other.”
West End Wilma: ***** “Cirque du Soleil is known around the world as the preeminent contemporary circus producer and their Kurios does not disappoint. Ladled with attitude and Victorian grit, each act takes the stage and stuns the audience; winning them over again and again with astounding feats, expert agility and masterful skill.”
West End Best Friend: **** “Cirque are the best at knowing how to evolve and transcend the acts that audiences have come to expect in their shows, and they have achieved this once again by adding an aerial dynamic to a number of the acts. We were especially delighted watching Louis-Phillipe Jodoin juggling clubs whilst suspended high in the air and could barely watch with nerves when Volodmyr Klavdich, way above ground, sends Ekaterina Evdokimova tumbling through the air before catching her hands last minute. One sweaty palm, one hand out of place and the results could be disastrous, but the pair are clearly masters at what they do and couldn’t have been more in sync.”
The show continues to play at the Royal Albert Hall until the 5th March. To book tickets click here.