If you’ve seen a Cirque Du Soleil show before, then you will understand when I tell you that KOOZÅ is more than an experience, more than a show, and more than a feeling; it’s a gift. At this moment in time, in a world that requires us to seek out joyful experiences more often than usual, KOOZÅ is the playful spectacle we all need.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to see a Cirque du Soleil show yet then now is the time to experience KOOZÅ in Gatineau (until September 25th) before it’s gone for good when it moves on to Guadalajara. Here’s why KOOZÅ is so special.
The Setting
Part of what makes a Cirque Du Soleil show so unique is that their venue often comes with the show. While that might not seem like a big deal on the surface, it is in fact a very big deal.
Over the years I have been lucky enough to enjoy Cirque du Soleil shows in three of their custom made tents and one arena. I won’t bore you by asking you to guess which venue offered the best experience. Cirque du Soleil tents, aside from lending tremendously to the experience, ensure that there are no bad seats. The audience experience is paramount to Cirque du Soleil, so every part of the event is managed from the atmosphere outside the tent to the seats, sound, and lighting inside.
The Show
KOOZÅ felt “lighter” to me than previous Cirque du Soleil shows I’d seen. If that shift to a more traditional circus feel was intentional I do not know, but I will say that it is exactly the vibe the world needs right now. Our society is filled with the walking wounded (present company included) after over two years in a pandemic and a never ending string of bad news. KOOZÅ is a reminder that good things still exist.
The cast of characters in KOOZÅ include hilarious clowns, death-defying acrobats, and world-class musicians and singers. Broken into two parts with seven acts in each parth, KOOZÅ highlights include the aerial straps, the high wire, and the heart-stopping wheel of death.
What struck me this time, as someone who has had the privilege of seeing a few Cirque shows, is how the transition between each act becomes a captivating part of the show. The set-up and tear down of props is carefully choreographed for safety AND production value, no small feat considering that one missed safety check could result in death for the players. Of course, this is all accounted for and adds to the heightened emotions of the audience which brings me to real value of KOOZÅ, the feeling.
The Feeling
Although not listed under the official acts, the most impressive act of any Cirque du Soleil show is the puppet show; in which the audience is the puppet, and the puppet master is the players on stage. KOOZÅ toys with your emotions and senses from the opening Charivari and doesn’t let up for the entire 2 hour and 10 minute journey. You will laugh, gasp, and marvel when the puppet master says you will and the best part is, you’ll love every moment of it.
During KOOZÅ, I noticed something about a Cirque du Soleil show that I had previously been either too enraptured with the show or too oblivious to grasp, and that is the language. During Totem and La Nouba, I had heard a passing word that might have been English, could have been French, or was that Spanish? I never could quite put my finger on it. As it turns out it’s Cirquish or Cirquespeak, a unique language that combines many world languages into one. Cirquish conveys emotion and meaning without singling out or favouring one demographic, it’s a unifier. Perfect.
Disclosure: I was invited to experience KOOZÅ on opening night by Cirque du Soleil. All opinions expressed are mine.
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