It's hard to believe that, despite their 250-year history, circuses are still finding new ways to captivate audiences.
Cirque du Soleil is globally renowned for leading the way among big top spectacles and its current touring show Totem does not disappoint.
Its acrobats display an unparalleled combination of strength, precision and flair in performances full of thrills, and - thankfully - very few spills.
Many of the acts are traditional circus fodder: unicycling, balancing, clowning. What sets them apart is the way each pushes new boundaries. The five unicyclists toss and catch metal bowls while tottering sky high; the balancing acts show such power and daring that all rational thought suggests they should end in disaster.
Each act is carefully choreographed to build towards a show-stopping finish. Time and time again I found myself thinking, "No no no, they're not possibly going to...oh, yes they are!"
The unicyclists are the definite highlight of the first half, which also features some beautifully subtle clowning.
The second half has a slower start, but the pace is elevated by the coquettish fixed trapeze duo, who lithely twist and turn around each other in blissful ignorance of the gaping expanse of air below them. The equally daring acrobats navigating the flexible Russian bars bring the show to a thrilling end.
As with previous Cirque shows, Totem has a loose theme which mostly serves to inspire costumes and a few recurring characters. It explores human evolution, traversing several cultures and time periods guided by hominids, a Darwin-esque scientist, tacky tourists and extra-terrestrial beings. There is little in the way of narrative but this ensures the focus stays firmly on the circus acts.
It is fantastic to see Cirque back under the big top for the first time in several years - it is much more intimate than its previous home at Vector Arena, which could never conjure up the same nostalgia associated with the traditional tents.
It did seem a shame though that more use was not made of the vast space. I yearned for more of the daring swoops above the crowd made by the rings trio.
Totem dazzles in plenty of other ways though - vividly detailed costumes, an incredible transmogrifying stage and acrobats whose talents will be sure to wow even the greatest circus cynic.
Cirque du Soleil's Totem is at Auckland's Alexandra Park until September 28. Watch highlights in the video player above.
3 News
source: newshub archive
