Cirque du Soleil 2009 - Ovo

[MrDisco]

I just saw Cirque's newest show, 'Ovo', last night. Clocked at 2.5hrs run time (with a 30min intermissin), the show is about the secret life of insects. The Big Top is made in France, houses ~2500 people, and is set along the undeveloped area in Toronto's waterfront. The main tent is supported by smaller tents for the actors, concession stands, VIP entrance, etc.

The main stage area is very compact (as is the rest of the tent). The seats are set on a low rise and tightly packed together - be sure to stretch because I found them to be uncomfortable. Shorter people will have a hard time seeing the floor action if the person in front is tall. Set in a circle, we had section 200 seats, dead center which gave a fantastic view of the stage. Premium tickets at the very front are ~$250, and you have the slight possibility of interacting with the performers during some scenes.

The show's 'plot' is loosely set around the discovery of an egg (ovo) which is brought into the insect's the world. The insect who finds the egg loses it to the apparent leader and through out the show he is on the look out for his stolen egg. Parallel to this, he falls in love with a ladybug and tries to gain her affection.

As is typical of any Circque show, the costumes and set designs are expertly crafted. Performers use the set pieces to defy gravity and balance on limbs, dangle from ropes and wires, juggle, tightrope walk, flip, tumble, scale walls, and fly through the air. The world of insects is dark with alien light illuminating the stage.

The live music is a mix of middle eastern-like beats and vocals. The few performers who do speak do so in a Sims-like manner.

Each segment of the show highlights a different cast of performers who perform their skill (i.e a troupe of asian girls juggle set pieces and themselves with their feet, another performer balances upsides down on a pole, etc).

Overall it was a good show. I would have wanted more of a connecting thread between the different acts and a better ending with regards to the egg. Still it's worth the price of admission.