Aristocrats from Alegria (credit: M-A Lemire ©2019 Cirque du Soleil)
There’s never been a better time to see Cirque Du Soleil, with the revival of one of their most popular shows ever to hit the stage; Alegria.
Presented at the Big Top in Montreal, Alegria is the story of mysticism and hope with incredible feats of acrobatics that Cirque Du Soleil is famous for. The memorable characters clad in beautiful costumes make magic across the stage with flawless choreography designed to take your breath away.
A retelling of one of their most famous shows, Alegria is one of the most popular productions Cirque Du Soleil has ever released. First premiering in 1994, it was seen by over 14 million people in 255 cities around the world before it’s farewell tour in 2013.
More than well-attended, Alegria was a defining production for the company with its extravagant costume designs and artful gymnastic stunts. This unique aesthetic blew audiences away, and brought Cirque Du Soleil onto the world stage.
Now, this legendary show has returned to delight audiences once more. Fans will find familiar themes in their stunning set designs and in the epic struggle between the light and the dark of a strange world the performers make come alive.
The modern Alegria shines a fresh light on this classic story with all-new musical and choreograph arrangements and fabulously designed costumes that allow you to submerge yourself into this presentation of acrobatics and fire.
Set in a world without a ruler, we see factions compete to preserve the “old ways of life” and others who want to find a brighter future.
Their conflict plays out on stage as a fluid dance between the bejeweled aristocrats and celestial angels that take flight overtop of a waiting audience, with trampoline flips, high-flying trapeze and a fire knife dance that will make you gasp as he touches, breathes, and eats the flames.
In the midst of these incredible feats of skill, the story offers a look inside a kingdom searching for peace and order.
However, there is still room for humour, as we watch two dazzling clowns add their own hilarious commentary to this stirring performance. Their eccentric dress and zany mannerisms often lead to mishaps (such as a duel that never quite finishes), but their friendship never wavers.
The scene transitions alone are glorious to watch, whether it is troupes of dancers spinning elegantly passed one another, ziplines reaching from roof to floor, or a sudden flurry of snow that blocks out the light before descending over the performers and audience members alike.
“Alegria is the most iconic Cirque Du Soleil experience,” says Francis Jalbert, Senior Publicist with Cirque Du Soleil. “You’ll be transported to an imaginary world with amazing acrobatic acts set to live music, combining all of the themes that Cirque Du Soleil is famous for!”
This renewal is not merely a memoir, but a spectacle of what daring and perseverance can accomplish. The story is a reflection of our transforming world, a balance between both modernism and legacy, revelation and reverence.
The show will run in Montreal until July 21, before traveling to Casino Lac Leamy to appear in Gatineau from August 1 to September 1. Tickets for Alegria can be purchased on their website for Montreal, Gatineau and Toronto showings, and more information can be found on social media with the hashtag #Alegria.