24.4.05

I just got back from seeing the new Cirque du Soleil: Corteo and I was completely blown away by the show. I enjoyed the traditional approach the Cirque took this time around by focusing on acts that were simple and straightforward yet definitely crowd pleasers like an incredibly impressive high wire act, acrobats on a teeterboard, and some spectacular juggling numbers.
Some acts were slower and less successful than others such as an odd comic number involving two acrobats being interrupted by a torrential downpour of rubber chickens! But you need to have variety to make everyone happy. The music was also very strong compared to some of the recent shows, incorporating many different styles. For example: jazz songs, songs sung in Spanish, Italian and much more.
Overall a very successful show - I can't wait for the music to come out on CD!

Here's a description of Corteo from the Cirque de Soleil website:

Corteo, which means "cortege" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.
The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries
Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

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