Cabinet of Curiosities: Cirque du Soleil’s KURIOS

Inspiring. Whimsical. Imaginative. Breathtaking. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the magical journey we experienced at KURIOS last week. From a thought-provoking dinner scene where parallel worlds collide to an enchanting invisible circus act that challenges perceptions, KURIOS is truly captivating. Having watched 12 Cirque shows since the early 90’s (I’m a bit of an addict), I’ve seen some spectacular performances (Alegria and Corteo come to mind) and a few disappointing ones in recent years. But I’m happy to report that KURIOS is one of the best shows the company has put on in years…

With mesmerizing acts, a haunting score that evokes deep emotion, lavish costumes and beautifully woven storyline, KURIOS delivers on just about every front. In my opinion, Michel Laprise (the writer and director) has breathed new life into the Cirque empire with his delightfully eccentric show.

From the moment the steam engine train circles the stage during the first scene, the audience is whisked away to another realm where anything is possible and reality is relative; imagine La Belle Époque with a futuristic twist. A visual feast with the most charming characters imaginable – like Mini Lili – a 3’5″ beauty who stole the audience’s heart…

As I sat glued to my seat inside Le Grand Chapiteau, a childlike wonder took over me. But I wasn’t alone, one quick glance at the audience and I could tell that everyone had surrendered themselves to The Seeker’s cabinet of curiosities. Smiling from ear to ear, we watched as the show unfolded before our eyes. Every detail – from the clock that stood frozen at 11:11 to the ingenious lighting – added to the magic…

It’s rare to experience a show as imaginative and uplifting as KURIOS . I’m thrilled to see that 30 years and 35 productions later, Cirque is still able to produce some of the most inspiring and unique entertainment around. As Pablo Picasso once said, “everything you can imagine is real” and KURIOS is a beautiful testament to that. I hope you get a chance to experience the journey in your city: the show is Toronto until October 26th and travels to San Francisco, Seattle and Calgary next!

Oh, and don’t be afraid to ride the big wheel on your way in – if I can do it in heels and a dress, anyone can hop on for a little fun.

Special thanks to Cirque du Soleil for hosting us. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.