Last week I was privy to the opening night of Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities, the new show by Cirque du Soleil running in Toronto until October 19th, 2014. First off, I am a serious Cirque lover; I think I went to my first show at 15 years-old and have seen many of them since. Second, I grew up in the same town (St. Bruno) as where Cirque du Soleil’s founder, Guy Laliberté, lives in a beautiful home on the lake. Just a fun little tidbit I love to share… But in all seriousness, Kurios is fantastic – and unlike many of Laliberté’s other shows, this one actually reminds me of a real circus.
Approaching the blue and yellow tent I was immediately brought back to the very first show I saw in Montreal when I remember being completely blown away. Then I noticed some circus people on the roof making noise and entertaining the crowd as we entered the tent. Already I knew we were in for something other than what we’re used to with Cirque’s other more acrobat/dance-like shows.
Once the show started it felt like we escaped to see a 1920s crazy circus troupe featuring the true freaks of the circus. Then a tiny little old woman popped out – and I mean tiny. Like, smaller than a 3-year-old… But costumed as an 80-year-old woman from the 20s. I actually whispered to my boyfriend, “Is that a puppet?” but no, she was far from a puppet and actually quite real.
The show proceeded to blow us away as we were taken from what felt like a journey through the years of the circus – from freaks to jugglers, acrobats to balancing acts, all of which reminded me of the more traditional circus – and ending up in a more modern one like what we’ve seen more often than not from Cirque du Soleil. It didn’t feel like a story, which I normally get from Laliberté’s shows. I loved it because not only was it incredibly entertaining, it was very true to what a circus should be.
Running until October 19th, this is an entertainment investment I would highly recommend.
Are you going to get “kurios” this year? Comment below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe!
