Review - Quidam
Date Reviewed: 26th March, 2009
Venue: Manchester Evening News Arena
Roll up roll up, the circus is back in town but perhaps not as we know it. Quidam is the story of a nameless passer- by/ stranger depicted by a large man without a head carrying a bowler hat and umbrella who silently moves about the stage at various points throughout the performance. The show has been dreamed up by Zoe, a young girl who thinks up the world of Quidam as a means of escapism.
This Cirque Du Soleil show is a visual delight which is expertly lit (Luc Lafortune) to create shadows and an mythical feel which draws the audience in and highlights the Acts in the most flattering and effective manner and creates a visual feast.
Quidam moves between fabulous acts that perform incredible high risk acrobatic routines and more traditional circus elements with clowns and audience participation in slap stick routines which can sometimes make the performance seem a little disjointed and can be an anti-climax when following some of the breath taking performances by the featured Acts.
It is difficult to single out any particular one Act as an over all showstopper as each is very unique and demonstrates a different set of skills by the performers. However, some of the biggest reactions of the evening go to the ladies in the Ariel Hoops hanging from every limb imaginable including just their necks and the four young Chinese girls with Diabolos, tumbling and dancing across the stage much to the delight of the audience.
Ariel contortion in silk is breathtakingly beautiful, performed to a haunting melody in which Isabelle Vaudelle seamlessly becomes one with the red cloth enchanting the audience with great effect.
Statue Vis-Versa sees a couple use their bodies, constantly connected to create beautiful statues and assume positions which appear to be impossible to achieve demonstrating incredible balance, stamina and strength which occasionally has the audience wincing in amazement yet unable to take their eyes off the spectacle before them.
Although the back story is a little weak and ineffectually communicated at times, Quidam is a great demonstration of what the human body can do through hard work, dedication and sheer grit and determination and provides some inspired moments and is sure to be a firm favourite with audiences of all ages.
-Ruth Lovett