JADAR

★★★★★

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo at the Royal Albert Hall is a remarkable blend of artistry and athleticism. From the moment Mauro, the Dreamer Clown, invites you into his imagined funeral procession, you are swept into a world that hovers between the ethereal and the earthly, with airborne angels (“mon petit ange!”) punctuating the acts.

The Royal Albert Hall, transformed into an intimate circus arena, offers a unique vantage for every seat, making the larger-than-life acts feel startlingly personal. It was my first time in the iconic venue, and it was the perfect host for Corteo, elevating the experience. The historic building’s elliptical plan makes for a traditional circus ring.

The traverse stage splits the audience into two halves, creating a mirrored experience that deepens the immersive magic of the performance.

The aerial feats are jaw-dropping. Stephanie Waltman’s suspended pole act is a masterclass in strength and elegance, and the Paradis sequence, with performers flying between cradles and bouncing off a trampoline net, is breathtaking. The first act was one of my favourites – four aerial artists representing Mauro’s past lovers swing from three large chandeliers. The staging is beautiful, and the synchrony of the dazzling chandeliers and its performers is mesmerising.

But it’s not just the large-scale spectacles that captivate. One of the most heartwarming moments comes with Valentyna Paylevanyan’s helium balloon performance, where she floats above the audience, relying on delighted spectators to keep her afloat in a moment of play with the audience.

Visually, the production is stunning; alongside the decadent chandeliers, the production draws on Commedia dell’arte influences with rich harlequin costumes. The soundtrack, a fusion of European folk and orchestral moods, pairs perfectly with the otherworldly atmosphere. Performers played live music just off the stage, dressed to fit in with their peers.

While Corteo skirts a cohesive narrative, the disjointed structure feels intentional, like a mosaic of memories rather than a linear tale. The comedic interludes, including a playful reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet, offer lighter moments that help make the show the family-friendly affair that it is, as the sense of humour keeps the kids in the audience entertained.

Corteo is a celebration of life, anchored by Stéphane Gentilini’s charismatic performance as Mauro. He dances between English and Italian, which keeps the show straddling different planes of existence. The music is in Italian, French, and Spanish, and the show blends the three (along with Mauro’s English asides) seamlessly. This stunning feat of artistry and athleticism is not to be missed.

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo runs at Royal Albert Hall until March 2.

Photo: Anne-Marie Forker