Thursday, 16 January 2020

Luzia - Review

Royal Albert Hall, London


*****



Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca


A moment in Luzia

Cirque du Soleil’s latest show Luzia is currently playing in the company’s seasonal London home of the Royal Albert Hall. Drawn from Mexican inspirations, the show provides a homage to this Latin American nation that reflects much of the country’s culture.

Mexican history, its climate, its art and its dance are all woven into Cirque du Soleil’s imaginative interpretation. Daniele Finzi Pasca has written and directed the spectacle with the programme including a touching tribute to Julie Hamelin who co-concieved Luzia with Finzi Pasca in 2016 but sadly died before this premiere. Much of the visual majesty of the show is also due to Patricia Ruel, its director of creation.

As is to be expected with Cirque du Soleil the skills on display are breathtaking – the aerial work on ropes and trapezes defies gravity almost heart-stoppingly, while the animal puppetry completely convinced in its depictions of horses and leopards – the talents of course extending to the clowning, achieving a hilarious performance solely through the use of outstanding physical theatre.

Moments of exquisite beauty arose in a balletic performance in which the ballerina was so perfectly poised she could have resembled a music-box figurine, matched only by a reptilian performer who displayed a snake-like ability to contort his frame that shocked and enthralled simultaneously.

And throughout, the live music and vocals alongside the design of the show - that include torrential Mexican rains pouring down inside the Royal Albert Hall - never ceases to amaze.

It is barely possible to capture the detailed, magical excellence of a Cirque du Soleil performance. Luzia maintains the company’s exceptional standards, and offers an unmissable evening of world class entertainment.


Runs until 1st March
Photo credit: Matt Beard
Guest reviewer: Kirsty Herrington

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