Reflections on Last Night

 Hi There, 

It's been a big week here in the small house. I've been leaving for work 3.5 hours earlier than normal, but going to bed only a half hour or so earlier... 

This means I want to sleep, which hasn't given me time to do the things that have defined my morning. These things include breakfast, blogging and games. 

It's fine, and this morning i was able to go back to my regular scheduled program. 

Anyway... 

Last night I watched Luzia by Cirque du Solei. Here is a quick review of what I saw. 

Performance 1/2 star

Production Values 1 star

Direction 1 star

Audience response: 1 star

My response: 1 star

Total: 4.5 stars

So, The set and direction of Luzia were the strongest of the seven Cirque shows I have thus far seen. The set featured a central device which was used for nearly every act, creating a unified device that was technically and visually impressive. As far as direction, choices were made to make call backs to previously made choices. An example of this is that every time a piece of equipment floated in from the sky, birds would be attached higher up the rope. It was an unnecessary choice, but it made the piece feel more than a disjointed collection of impressive acts. 

The performers were a mixed bag of incredible and good. There were a number of drops from the acrobatic team, which is not what I would expect out of a Cirque-level show that's already completed a Montreal run. Likewise, while almost all of the performers had the incredible energy of an opening night show, some seemed to be already phoning it in which makes me curious about their visible enthusiasm in a month or few. I should point out, that the excellent performances were far more prevalent, and I am choosing not to speak of them due to not wanting to spoil the show. Here are some general notes: Audience engagement sections were extremely good and fun. The lead has excellent comic timing. Nearly every performer seemed to love doing their act. Extras and set crew did an excellent job of adding to the visual world of the show and were sometimes my favorite part to watch. 

My experience of the show was that it was, for lack of better word, horny. While circus always features beautiful young strong people, this one really seemed to lean into heteronormative urges. Despite the presence of a two foot long phallus and a comic strip tease act, I don't feel that any act or costume was so explicit to put up a content warning; but if expressions of male-gazed heteronormative sexiness make you uncomfortable, you might want to consider speaking with people who have seen this show. 

The folks around me were a diverse collection of age and experience. In my aisle appeared to be circus performers who praised each of the acts on a technical stand point. Behind me was a cadre of high school aged girls who squealed with delight every chance they got (especially at the comic strip tease act and the contortion act, both of which were had male performers) and oooh'd whenever something beautiful happened. In front of me was a family with two kiddos under five, so were jumping in their chairs they were enjoying it so much. Across my lap was my much older son, asleep by the second act as he is wont to do. 

It was beautiful, the acts were enchanting. I loved it. The audience loved it. too soon it was over. 

I can't wait to tell people to see it.