For over two decades, Cirque du Soleil has been one of the most visually stunning and physically impressive stage shows in existance. For those who do not know, Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian entertainment company including everything from standard circus acts to street performers to artistic theater and more. While typically seen in areas of high tourist traffic like Las Vegas and Disney World, Cirquie du Soleil also features a number of touring companies and shows. The latest show to hit Indy, Quidam, was originally conceived in 2010 and has been touring the country (and the world) since.
Like many of Cirque du Soleil’s shows, Quidam features a central but ambiguous narrative. Here, we see Zoe, a young and curious girl, as she comes upon a mysterious blue hat which seems to unlock a miraculous world filled with dreamlike landscapes and amazing performers. Although it may sound odd, it was one of my favorite aspects of the entire show and, I feel, one of the defining elements of Cirque du Soleil. The artistic and dramatic flair of the show leads to some of the most emotional and visually interesting moments I have ever seen on stage.
After a few moments of initial story building, the show quickly ramps up with incredible act after incredible act. Everything from juggling to amazing trapese acts to more unusual acts like Diablos and Spanish Webs are on display in a one-after-another rapid fire of amazing physical prowess and coordination.
The highlight of the evening and the act that garnered the most reaction from the audience was undoubtedly “Statue.” For this act, a man and a woman, both painted entirely white and wearing nearly nothing at all, trade off balancing one another in amazing and seemingly impossible ways all while dramatic music plays in the background. At one point, the man’s arms were held firmly against his sides as the woman hung upside down in the air with her arms to her side, held only by her shoulders resting against the shoulders of the man. It was breathtaking, dramatic and beautiful.
Although it has been nearly a decade since I last attended a live Cirque du Soleil performance, I can easily tell you that every single one has stuck with me. Despite the company’s extreme growth in popularity and spread across the world, the quality of their production and their performers seems to have only increased over the years. Combining dream-like artistic moments with amazing physical stunts and a childlike focus on wonder and the impossible (or what you perceive as being impossible), Quidam is another wonderful addition to Cirque du Soleil’s long history and an absolutely unmissable show.
Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam is running now through July 1 at Indianapolis, Bankers Life Fieldhouse. For tickets and other information, please visit CirqueduSoleil.com.
