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They are literally swinging from the rafters… on chandeliers to be exact. There are women on poles suspended in the air (not nailed down to the floor), men jumping on beds, couples spinning in the air and little people performing Romeo & Juliette. There were also balloons, really, really big balloons. This is the circus after all. This is Corteo.
Corteo is one of five arena shows put on by Cirque du Soleil. Along with their six Big Top Tent shows and eight permanent resident shows in Las Vegas and Mexico. You will be able to see a Cirque show somewhere in the world and be entertained by artists representing 50 nationalities and speaking 25 different languages.
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Corteo was a Big Top Tent show for 10 years before it was adapted to suit an arena setting. It took two years to make the adjustments to the stage (which can be seen from either side), the performances and the personnel. Making shows accessible to all is par-of-the-course for Cirque du Soleil. Established in Montreal in 1984, Cirque has entertained more than 180 million spectators. This is also why you want to see CORTEO.
It starts with Mauro, the Dreamer Clown, as he imagines his funeral procession being celebrated by his friends. His funeral takes place in a carnival atmosphere watched over by angels. Mauro narrates the story in both English and Spanish continuing with the tradition of the use of multilingual dialogues in Cirque shows. A live band accompanies the expertly choreographed acts which flow from one dream state to another. We’re entertained by traditional juggling, hula hoops spinning and Cyr Wheel twirling (a person twirling within a giant steel hoop) and amused by the Teatro Intimo.
We are also thrilled by daring aerial acts: a couple performing the dual straps. Suspended by straps and whizzing around the air while holding on to their partner. Her strength and endurance just as impressive as his but her grace and agility making it look effortless. This was my daughter’s favourite act.
Watching Corteo is a great inter-generational activity. My mother loved the thrill of seeing Tournik, the final act of artists (gymnast, really) flying from one bar to the next as they moved in sync.
As they quickly spun around each bar, they flew through the air, releasing and switching positions on the opposite bar. You cringe while watching praying they don’t crash into each other. It was very suspenseful and certainly a highlight of the show. I’m so pleased we went as seeing this on TV does not compare to seeing it LIVE.
Every Cirque show is a story from start to finish. Most are dreamlike and challenge you to use your imagination to trust as you follow the players into a world of magic and whimsy. I find that these are the perfect types of shows to bring your parents to. My 85-year-old mother just loved the show because it was well paced, the music was not too loud, the stage was not too bright and the acts were mesmerizing.
To see families with young children oohing and ahhing as the little performer glided up and down as she was suspended by these giant helium balloons was so much fun. These shows bring together a community.
It was great to hear an interview on CBC Radio London with the drummer/percussionist from the Corteo band. He is originally from Brazil but now calls London, Ontario home. Have a listen to his take on life in a travelling circus!
The musicians are very close to the audience and interact with the characters on the stage. A live circus show is dynamic and changes with every performance. The set up is unique as the stage runs the length of the arena with a circular labyrinth in the middle. You can see the audience across from you. It’s like you see it as the performers see it.
With the turntable-stage, performers, such as those playing crystal glasses and Tibetan bowls, sit still while the stage rotates around so they can be seen from all angles. Another fun feature is the hole in the centre of the stage where artists pop in and disappear without a trace.
Our VIP Behind the Curtain tour gave us a sneak peek into this magical world. Corteo has 52 performers ranging from 20 to 59 years old, bringing a lifetime of experience as artists, dancers, singers, musicians and even Olympic athletes. The company travels with physiotherapists, hair, make-up and costume artists, choreographers and coaches.
There are seamstresses and shoemakers keeping the performers’ clothes looking spectacular. They take care of shoes from a child’s size 3 to a man’s 18 EEE. Every performer goes to Cirque headquarters located in Montreal to have 300 measurements taken to make their bespoke costumes. These costumes have sensors which are connected to lights for perfect illumination as they swing through the air. Every detail is perfectly calculated.
London is stop number 55 on a world tour that began in March 2018. From here it will finish its North American leg in Boston then proceed to Europe for the summer. CORTEO is a cornerstone show for Cirque du Soleil with over 8 million people seeing the show since its inception in 2005. Will you be one of the many?
You should go, I highly recommend this as a family friendly, entertaining show for young and old. There are so many intergenerational activities to do with your family and seeing Cirque du Soleil’s CORTEO should be at the top of the list!
For ticket information in your city: Cirque du Soleil – CORTEO
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Corteo
- Twitter: @Cirque #CORTEO
- Instagram: @cirquedusoleil #CORTEO
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. In exchange for this post, I have received perks in the form of products and/or compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own and are honest. Thank you to Cirque du Soleil for some of the images in this post.
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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.
nice. how to make video like this?