Corteo Cirque Du Soleil

Royal Albert Hall

An extravagant experience that enchants the whole theatre with a story of the passing of the main character 'Mauro the Dreamer Clown' as he goes on his journey into his next life. The story is Shown through circus skills, movement and song, a magnificent visual experience.

Corteo Cirque Du Soleil is a divine theatre experience and will have you biting your nails with anticipation. The Royal Albert Hall is the perfect venue for this extravagant display, featuring the most astounding circus performers, from all around the globe. The scenes show the story of Mauro The Dreamer Clown's funeral, how the characters celebrate his life and keep his memory alive. Each scene is symbolic and there are some stunning images that get your mind working to piece together the meanings of the choices made. A range of languages are spoken in this piece, French, Italian, English and many more. The dialogue is not what your focus is fixed to, it's the visual content, and it speaks louder than the spoken word. The story is shown through images and key moments, your mind is kept piecing it together.

A high range of skill is showcased within the duration of 100 minutes, acrobats, contortionists, the skill of teeterboard, juggling and an abundance of insane circus tricks. The cast make hanging from the ceiling look simple and elegant. The element of danger and anxiety silences the audience; when the performers perfectly execute their crazy tricks the whole theatre roars in admiration of their skill. Angels glide across the ceiling and hang from hoops, Mauro, played by Stephane Gentilini, interacts with them and tries to get as high up as them to connect with them. This symbolises how he is a good, well-loved man and he is on a journey to passing over to another realm. The people that cared for him visualise him with the angels, showing who he was to the characters in the story. 'Duo Straps' was the most intense and amazing act, this was in act two. Hitomi Kinokuniya and Oleksandr Kunytskyi perform this act as a duo and their chemistry is electric. The beautiful movements and shapes they form are out of this world. Each scene is a gift that keeps on giving.

The music was stunning, there were live singers that sang alongside the orchestra. There were emotion filled opera numbers and they were very big and compelling. The orchestra are dressed as clowns, which extenuates the colourful, vibrant tone of the show. Although, the funeral aspect of the show gives the story a black and white beginning, how they include all the colour and vibrance through music, skills and costume is breathtaking. The songs leap from the instruments around the theatre and into the audience ears. It is a grand and classy choice of music. It fits the tone of the show and symbolises the colourful character that Mauro clearly was!

This dream world is created by the splendid, spectacular set design and props; the show genuinely transports you to another world. In act two, Mauro cycles in the air, as he is dangled from the ceiling on a bike. This makes you think of him passing through people's minds, in their memories or him finally peacefully passing into another realm. This is a thought provoking and moving moment created by the set. Another moment is where Mauro climbs a huge ladder to meet the angel in the sky, the combination of set and his acrobat skills blend together to make this stunning, picturesque moment that makes you realise that the other characters see him as such an important and good person that he is on the same level as an angel. It is beautiful. Each scene transition, set change is quick and smooth and they completely change the setting in a matter of seconds! There is this impressive moment where 'The Clowness', a glamorous, charming character played by Valentyna Paylevanyan is strapped to a bunch of huge balloons and floats into the audience, this shows the parting of her and Mauro. It is a moving, symbolic moment and the audience are encouraged to push her up into the air, it gets the audience engaged and involved. This is a fantastic and magical use of props. So many grand set and prop designs.

You would be insane to miss out on this moving, beautiful display and it is worth every single penny. There is not a single moment that does not keep you on the edge of your seat, loving each moment and admiring the high level of talent these performers show. You will laugh, gasp and leave the theatre impressed! I assure you this is one show that will get you thinking and talking. The message of the show, the portrayal of grief, funeral and the colourful spiritual world is moving. Such an important meaning behind the show, that will resonate with each audience member in so many differing ways. This is a show that I would love to see how they adapt it each year and alter the concept. You would be a clown to not get tickets for this show.