Review- Le Grand Cirque
August 28, 2008
Venue: The Lowry
Date reviewed: 28th August, 2008
Cirque Du Soleil is a hugely successful franchise with shows playing all over the world, but if you have seen any of these productions, you may have found your patience tested with their stock Euro-pop soundtracks and the irritating clowns.
Thankfully, Le Grand Cirque has all of the breathtaking elements of the genre and none of the filler, and as the title suggests everything is done on a grand scale.
From the opening scenes, you are dazzled into submission by a variety of human spinning wheels, acrobats and contortionists, all displaying extraordinary talent.
The pre-recorded music gives the show a strong whiff of gorgonzola as it is so old school, reminding you of Siegfried and Roy but this is all part of the fun, alongside the pearly white teeth, perma-grins and over-the-top costumes. Visually, there is so much going on, that you can hardly pause to take note of any flaws.
There are a few though; namely the fact that most of the acts have been seen in some form somewhere else. Also the audience participation sections, particularly the Stomp style clapping are a tad overlong. But the audience on opening night would probably disagree with me, as they had a ball joining in.
The ringmaster/mime artist is a great host, as he links all of the acts together, entertaining the audience along the way, by somersaulting into their hearts. Talking of elastic limbed individuals, my favourite act are the silver-suited acrobats who jump through every hoop/ring managable, delighting the audience at every turn.
Another act, features two contortionists, almost joined at the hip via movement. True, that you may snigger as they step onto the stage in tight pants, almost bound by their homo-erotic moves, but this is classic Big Top stuff.
If you are longing to see some good old fashioned, family entertainment, then Le Grand Cirque has it all including; plate spinning ladies, human towers, an aerial hunk in ripped jeans and some acrobats who literally stand on the heads of others.
All this and more will leave you thinking Oh, What A Circus!
-Glenn Meads
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