The OVO show, by the amazing Cirque du Soleil group has arrived at the Royal Albert Hall. Cirque du Soleil has many of their permeant residencies in Las Vegas, and every year, they bring a different show to the Royal Albert Hall for us to see. Every January, the touring production has a residency for a few months, where they thrill the London audience, before they embark on their UK tour. OVO means ‘egg’ in Portuguese and the show focuses on colourful bugs, insects and glided movement. As this was the London premiere, there were many celebrities in attendance, including Lottie Moss, David Jason, Derren Brown, Matt Johnson, Candice Brown, John Bishop and Sir Ben Kingsley, to name but a few, who all graced the ‘green’ carpet!
The Cirque du Soleil performers are all immaculate perfectionists, who are complete masters of their craft. After many years of intense training, the finished result is pure polished perfection and watching them move is pure beauty. Many of them train as gymnasts, and they are able to contort their bodies in every shape imaginable, with such grace and controlled movement. They make the most difficult and complex sequence of events look as though it is the easiest thing in the world to do. They move with a feather-like quality and do so with such talent and poise.
OVO is a sensual feast for the eyes. The set is a colourful display of light and greenery. The performers are dressed as grasshoppers, various multicoloured bugs and as various insects, bringing their multicoloured costumes to life. The show is theatrically stunning, with the most amazing acrobatic delivery and elegance.
There were several moments where my jaw-dropped: the time a performer dangled from the roof of the Royal Albert Hall with just the tips of her toes holding on to the rope, as she danced and twirled in mid-air. And the time a performer rode a uni-cycle with his mouth, to ride along a thin piece of rope! When they weren’t making my jaw drop, they were making me smile. Alexandra Burke was plucked out of the audience by a giant bug, to go onstage for a few minutes of dancing. She was made to wear bug-wings, and a hat and she was a great sport and seemed to really enjoy herself.
OVO brings a carnival feel and so much joy to the Royal Albert Hall, it is a must-see show. It is a show that is suitable for all ages, and we think that the extravagance of the bug costumes would make children feel like they’ve been imported to a magical land of wonder. There is an element of slapstick to the show, which adds humour. OVO is another phenomenal show by Cirque du Soleil, that had me in complete awe. If you haven’t seen a Cirque du Soleil show, make sure to add it to your bucketlist.
Theatre: Royal Albert Hall Performance dates: 7th January – 4th March 2018. Writer, Director and Choreographer: Deborah Colker.
