With its high-flying acrobatics, vivid theatrics and live music, there is no better place to enjoy circus entertainment than Cirque du Soleil. But be warned: This isn’t the Ringling Bros. or Barnum & Bailey.
For the first time since 2006, Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil will return to the Washington area at the National Harbor with Kooza, a show featuring acrobatic theater and clowns from around the world.
Written and directed by David Shiner, Kooza is a return to circus tradition, including contortionists, a trapeze and a high wire, Pascale Ouimet, publicist for Cirque du Soleil, said.
“[Shiner’s] idea was really to go back to our roots and mix really pure traditional circus acts, not add a lot of fluff or poetry to it, but really focus and showcase what the artists can really do,” Ouimet said.
The performance will also include a 23-foot human tower as well as its highlight, the Wheel of Death, a rotating double wheel connected by wires, which two acrobats traverse.
Founded in 1984 by Guy Laliberté, Cirque du Soleil sought to combine traditional circus performance with an emphasis on theatrics, according to Ouimet.
Ouimet said what makes Cirque du Soleil so memorable is its “magical way of mixing theatrical to traditional circus acts.” Different from other current Cirque du Soleil acts is Kooza’s attempt to focus more on the performers’ talents and less on what Ouimet called the “fluff” of a regular show.
“People will have their jaw on the floor in a lot of numbers,” she said.
Kooza follows the story of Innocent, a lonely character in search of a better world. He meets the Trickster, who shows him the world of Kooza. Along the way, he meets a cast of characters, including the King, the Pickpocket and the Bad Dog.
According to Ouimet, Shiner was inspired by Indian culture and the show reflects upon its influence, featuring an Indian singer. You can find other touches of India in the set, which includes the Bataclan, a traveling tower that transforms the stage and moves the acrobats throughout the show. The tower is decorated with Indian-inspired artwork and takes over the Kooza set.
In fact, Kooza is derived from a Sanskrit word, “koza,” which means box or treasure chest, Ouimet said. Shiner then added an extra ‘o’ to create the made-up title.
“There’s a lot of wow factor in Kooza. … It’s a show that really focuses on and showcases the talent of the artists that are in it,” Ouimet said, adding that the acrobats and clowns are some of the best in the world.
Cirque du Soleil has long established a tradition of wowing audiences of all ages, and Kooza is another brick in its foundation. Next year, the company will observe its 25th anniversary with an extravagant celebration, though it hasn’t worked out the details yet.
“I think [Cirque du Soleil is] very inspiring just because they are very unique and different,” Ouimet added. “People are surprised by it and touched. I think that’s why we’ve been going on so long. I think it touches and inspires people.”
Cirque du Soleil puts on Kooza at the National Harbor from Oct. 30 through Dec. 14. Tickets are $55 to $125 and are available from www.cirquedusoleil.com.
dnhan@umd.edu
