Reaction Paper: Cirque du Soleil

            Surreal. Sensational. Phenomenal. That’s what come to my mind while watching the documentation of the performance of Cirque du Soleil, to think that was just a recorded version, how much more when being there as they perform live? I might be breathtakingly delighted. I agree a million times that they are “world class” performers. Though, I am bothered as they perform astonishing levels of thrill and grace, I can’t help asking “What if someone accidentally dies?”, “Are the errors intentionally done or part of the show?” Nevertheless, the casts are still very powerful-looking , rather deceiving. I wonder if they are actually human beings at all, not only because of their incredible and unique stunts but also because of the costumes which are definitely artistic and interesting, I almost cannot see humans except that they all are.

            Another thing that struck me was the production which greatly contributed to the surrealism of the play. The setting in the Worlds Away made me believe more in “multiple universes”. It was indeed beautiful: the pond, the aquarium, the desert, the battlefield, the stage, even. The effects in Kooza exhilarated me, just like the main character, I can’t help whispering “Wow”. The music greatly affected my emotions; I think that they were playing with my feelings. And what I think impressed me more was the fact the sound effects were all live.

            One more thing was the plot/storyline. It wasn’t really emphasized but it was the first thing I noticed. I think they made it as a Segway but it was creative. Kooza was about a simple, innocent man who was shown the world of circus by the man or the trickster from inside the small box—the Kooza, and by that, they put in everything they have. Worlds Away was a love story about an ordinary girl who fell in love with an aerialist, she literally fell into another dimension trying to find him—which was how they presented different acts, although some acts were present in the Kooza which I think about Worlds Away is the collection of all their performances in their other plays.

            I actually included ‘to watch Cirque du Soleil perform live’ in my bucketlist, though I know doing so will cost indeed a lot of money, it will be worth it. I really believe Cirque du Soleil is yet the best circus show in this time.