Throughout the years, I've heard of cirque de soleil, but never really knew what it was about. My cousin, Ava Bradley, who is currently starring in a separate show in Las Vegas, upon my visit there, urged me to definitely go check out a cirque de soleil production, as it is a "must see." Cirque de soleil is an entertainment company based in Canada and self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." I was invited to come to the city of the company's inception, Montreal, Canada, where the show, Kurious, is being showcased, not having yet made it to the United States. The entire city reminds me of Paris, France, but with a friendlier feel.
Picking up tickets in will-call was quite the experience. One of the main plazas in Montreal, Place des Arts, is complete with a palace of performing arts. You could feel the artistic energy of dancers & entertainers. The building where the show comes to fruition is just steps away! The ticket counter was located in a walkway where I got the chance to not only mingle with other Americans, but also people from all over the world, who were touring or picking up tickets as well. You also get to climb atop a real circus bicycle, similar to one they would use in a show!
From there, I met with friends & got a chance to make my way through Old Montreal, a historic district where a few buildings even date back to New France (year 1655). The architecture and artistry of the buildings is quite fascinating to see. Even the coachmen of the horse-drawn carriage is dressed and ready to entertain you on a beautiful tour. There are also many restaurants located within this historic strip. We stopped and had an awesome dinner and full-bodied wine at Vieux-Port Steakhouse, where our waiter was the absolute best! Afterwards my friends & I made our way down to where the show was located. The port to the circus tent is breathtaking, and reminds you a bit of the Pier 40 at Hudson River Park we have in New York City.
The large circus tent made onlookers eager to see the show, everyone racing to the tent, but pausing to take selfies, the energy quite high and incredible. Before my friends and I entered the tent, I wanted to take a photo of the circus bicycle that they had located in front of it. Each time I wanted to take a photo someone was on the bike, and the show was about to start. I began taking pics with someone on the bike -- after she got off she started shouting, what I could tell were obscenities at me, in another language. She was not much to look at, and I definitely wasn't trying to take a picture of her, but more so, the bike. Although I am from the south-side of Chicago, and usually don't "play that," I noticed she needed some moisturizer -- I simply said, "Bye ashy!" and walked away. I still managed to take my photo. 😄😎
I digress, the show was absolutely beautiful. The entire show was in French, a language I don't understand; however, I was still thoroughly entertained. A live orchestra plays in the background the entire time, while a gorgeous soloist belted out an at least 5 octave range. A jazz number, scat singing, mime artists, a damsel doing a pirouette in the air on a bike, all this in a scene reminiscent of the Charlie Chaplin era. Sometimes the show had little to no speech, even interacting with audience members. Early 20th century entertainment, before we had iPads, iPods, or anything electronic -- all carefully constructed to give us modern day folk incredible beauty in classicality. Ornament yet basic, complicated simplicity, a beautiful nightmare, vampiric angels-- the show all an oxymoron yet one of the most beautiful and artistic things I have ever seen. Complete with all the bells and whistles of any Las Vegas show, but with the authenticity only Montreal could truly portray. Below is a pre-show photo, because I don't want to give the excitement of the show away!
Hopefully, Kurious makes it to the United States, but regardless it is a "must-see," quite worth traveling to the great city of Montreal for! Ciao, or as they say in French, au revoir!
-William Nero-
Twitter:@williamnero
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