By Patrick Hurley
Cirque du Soleil returns to Los Angeles with its all new bog top show Volta.
The show, which plays into the contemporary fascination our world seems to have for reality shows combined with the brevity of online videos, is quite an impressive spectacle. The show starts closer to an actual narrative than most other Cirque shows featuring a show-within-a-show called The Mr. Wow Show. Mr. Wow (Andrey Kislitsin) is the host of a talent competition show- much in the vein of America’s Got Talent. One of the competitors is a dancer named Waz (Joey Arrigo) who wows the crowd with his moves, but when his hat is removed he is quickly ridiculed for his different colored hair. This sets off an internal landscape that becomes the traditional dreamlike Cirque show we’re all familiar with. The main difference here is that the show wants to incorporate a theme of inclusion and acceptance, which are ubiquitous themes to the art and entertainment world of the twenty-first century. It ultimately doesn’t changewhat this show is, and feels completely obligatory, but it also doesn’t diminish the show in any way.
The acts are, as always, impressive feats of physical prowess, some of which leave you wondering how any human can do that. It’s a mix of aerial artists, acrobatics and, in once instance, an impressive hair suspension act that absolutely has to be a literal pain in the neck. The trampowall routine was one of the highlights for sure. For those unfamiliar with Cirque, this is when trampolines are lined at the base of constructed walls and acrobats bounce and flip on and off in what appears to be feats of defying gravity. This time around there is also a crazy impressive finale with BMX bikes.
The show is infused with highly dramatic music, which adds a cinematic element to the acts. Singer and violin player Camilla Bäckman and singer Eric DeShan layer each act with evocative songs, punctuating the drama, emotion and awe-inspiring beauty of what the human body is capable of. Every aspect of the show play into the theme of urban, contemporary transformation- while in true Cirque form still manage a dreamlike quality. The massive set pieces have a refurbished modern feel. And the costumes, designed by Emmy Award Winner Zaldy Goco, were dazzling. The show is pure adrenaline, excitement and beauty. But what else would you expect. It’s a Cirque show.
Cirque du Soleil’s Big Top returns to Los Angeles with its first sports-inspired Big Top production, VOLTA,
performing under the Big Top at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
Through March 8, 2020
and at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa March 18–April 19, 2020!
Tickets, starting at $49, are available for purchase by visiting
or calling 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).
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