Kurios, Cirque de Soleil
Royal Albert Hall
Reviewed on Thursday 12th January 2023 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Since its creation forty years ago, Cirque du Soleil, the Quebec based circus, has performed a number of shows with a variety of themes, always including their spectacular aerial and acrobatic routines. Currently playing at the Royal Albert Hall, Kurios is more of a traditional circus show, mixed with a whole heap of steampunk elements.
The storyline is incredibly loose and doesn't really matter, but it basically follows a 19th century inventor who creates a machine that opens the doors to a mystical new world. The cabinet of curiosities reveals a number of oddities that truly amaze and have you on the edge of your seat.
Thanks to Stéphane Roy's set design, The Royal Albert Hall has been transformed in to a vintage wonderland, with old-school lightbulbs and suitcases adorning the stage, while music is poured out of record players; all creating a transformative atmosphere that sets the tone without overpowering the performances. There's also some excellent lighting (Martin Labrecque) which helps to further the esoteric vibes of the whole thing.
Performance wise you couldn't really ask for more in terms of skill and energy, and I can only imagine what the physio and insurance bills must be for such an über talented cast. From trampoline somersaults to otherworldly contortion, there are tricks which have you holding your breath and hoping for the best. The precision with which the cast perform is impeccable to watch and the sheer amount of acts is quite impressive. At the start of the show, it's such a maelstrom of action that you need a hundred eyes to not miss anything.
It's hard to discuss the show's contents much more because a lot of the magic comes from being surprised so I don't want to give too much away. What I will say is that this show is a steampunk extravaganza, with some incredible wow moments, and Kurios is absolutely worth a visit for an evening like no other.
Tickets for Kurios are available at https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
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