Varekai (Cirque du Soleil) – Royal Albert Hall, London

Writer/Director: Dominic Champagne

Composer: Violaine Corradi

Reviewer: John Roberts

The Public Reviews Rating:

Hitting the UK shores with their latest production Varekai, Cirque du Soleil are currently performing at the Royal Albert Hall to sell out crowds and it is easy to see why. Premiering in 2002 Varekai tells the story of Icarus who falls from the sky, hurt and wounded he lands in an unknown world full of mystical beings and fantastical creatures. As Icarus is brought back to health he explores his unknown world and forms relationships with some of the inhabitants of the land, which it seems culminates in the ultimate fairytale happy ending.

Director/Writer Dominic Champagne attacks all senses with his vibrant and stimulating production. There is so much taking place in this theatrical wonderland that it is simply impossible to mention everything that wows or mesmerises in this 2 hour tour-de-force. If anything this is perhaps the shows weakest link as no matter where you look, you will always miss something equally exciting somewhere else on the stage.

As with all Cirque du Soleil shows creating an environment that is full or mystery, excitement and atmosphere is paramount to helping the audience engage emotionally to the experience, as let’s be honest the narrative seems to be an almost second thought, brought in to link the various acrobatic displays on show rather than being its main driving force. Alongside Champagne’s direction the show is stunningly underscored by Violaine Corradi’s uplifting gypsy folk melodies and haunting tones beautifully sung (one would love to name the performers personally but with not being given a programme, and one not willing to present £12 of my hard earned money to buy one, I am unfortunately unable to) by two dynamic performers.

The cast perform on a striking metal forest like set, with up high thrusting tree-house like walkways designed by Stéphane Roy, and aided by striking lighting by Nol van Genuchten and engrossing video projection by Francis Laporte, but the stand out of all the production elements must be given to Eiko Ishioka, whose costumes were a slice of creative genius in their originality and vibrancy.

One cannot praise the performers more highly, each of them giving their all from start to finish. Each performer highly trained and physically at a peak that without years of training would almost be impossible to achieve, but as this is a review you can forgive me for pointing out a few of the performance highlights.

The Actor playing La Vigie (The Skywatcher) brought many laughs to the proceedings with his unique physical comedy as do the two clowns who helpfully break up the forest action to give much needed light relief for the audience and for the performance on stage. For the actual acrobatic acts credit must be given to the 3 young performers who do the Water Meteors Act, not only did they take command of the stage but did so with skill and grace that performers three times their age would die to give. Icarian Games and Russian Swings have to be this reviewers highlight of the whole show, this is what real Circus is all about, death defying acrobatics that could (and very nearly did) cause serious injury, that leave you as a member of the audience gripped to the edge of your seat.

Varekai is a stunning and vibrant mix of Circus, Dance and Acrobatics that will leave you spellbound and in awe, not only at the physical duress displayed by the performers but the stunning set, costumes and electrifying music…make sure you catch them either in London or next month when the show lands in Manchester.