Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities

This is the touring show first seen in Montreal, French Canada in 2014. Kurios had a major New York outing with sparkling reviews two years later, and now arrives in Sydney on the first stop of an Australian tour that includes Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. It’s in a huge Big Top setting that took 10 days to construct, with a line-up of top international acts – a must-see for all lovers of the Circus, which Cirque du Soliel has now fundamentally eclipsed, killed off.

The important thing is to find a link that knits the various brilliant acts together. Here Michel Laprise has gone back to legendary French filmmaker Georges Melies whose A Trip to the Moon in 1902 created a bizarre world in which anything can happen. Costumes, props and settings are instantly solved, even the fantastic music (of Raphael Beau and Bob & Bill) features gypsy jazz to a foot-stomping degree.

The bunch of characters thus created (which includes Rima Hadchiti as the most astonishing mini-person I have ever seen) lead us on while the major scenes are quickly cleared and/or established behind.

Here there’s plenty of marvellous talent to choose from. A French lady cyclist takes off and, suspended in mid air, does impossible cartwheels. Four Russian girls go through extravagant contortions while perched on a giant hand. A magical tea party builds on stage until you realise that it is mirrored by an upside-down party high above: the two parties meet and interact with each other.

The second half is even better. ‘Siamese Twins’ from the United States (does Trump know about them?) do amazing things above us on ropes, a Taiwanese spinner of yo-yos demonstrates his mastery of the toys, and – top of the pole! – a troupe of 10-man 2-lady gymnasts fling themselves about in a display of synchronised acrobatics rarely seen.

The appreciation of the audience grew as the evening progressed: by the end we had clapped and cheered ourselves hoarse. Mind you, it’s not cheap: $240 a seat, maybe $355 if you want the VIP package. That’s what you get when you clear out the elephants and tigers.

Frank Hatherley

Images: D-CORD (Keiju Takenaka). Costumes: Philippe Guillotel © 2018 Cirque du Soleil