Kooza Cirque Du Soleil Reviews
Cirque du Soleil Kooza
Review: Cirque du Soleil's Kooza is not for the faint-hearted 15 Feb, 2019 08:43 PM 2 minutes to read The cast onstage during the Cirque du Soleil KOOZA in Sydney. A nother new year, another Cirque du Soleil juggernaut rolls into town. This one – which has toured worldwide (the £10 programme comes in three languages) – may be new to the UK, but the.
Review
The music is slightly more mainstream than the typical Cirque du Soleil music, which will be appealing to some and might feel like a compromise to Cirque du Soleil purists. It certainly is a matter of taste, but I prefer KA, the production and the CD, over the other Cirque du Soleil productions I've seen / CD's I've heard. Cirque du Soleil returns to Melbourne Australia with their latest circus spectacular KOOZA which graces Flemmington Racecourse. As their famous blue and yellow big top stands tall on these grounds, it is filled with modern circus wonder, humour and some truly jaw-dropping performances that will leave you thoroughly satisfied.
Do you want to run away with the circus at heart? Or are you fan of acrobat stunts? Stooge type clowns? Then Cirque du Soliel is your kind of entertainment, but how is KOOZA different from other Cirque du Soliel performances?
While to date my favourites have been Cirque du Soliel's Dralion (with the trampolines) and Michael Jackson One, Cirque du Soleil KOOZA does not disappoint!
Kooza story centres around a coming of age as a young boy and is -stooge' like clown counterparts help him explore fear, identity, recognition and power.
It's very easy to get lost in the main artists as the audience mouth's gapped open in awe, some so stunned they forgot to clap, faces awash with amazement at these incredible acts.
Highlights:
The Contortion Duo was flawless. This duo is beautifully in sync as they showcased fluid flexibility with grace and control. 'jaw dropping'
The Aerial Hoop performer took command of the ring as she entered with ferocity, it was clear this was to be an intense high energy performance. She spun so hard it made you nervous as she hung there barely touching.
The twin High Wire formation was unique and nerve racking as the skill difficulty and momentum keep building. 'eye popping' was my son's description.
Stay sharp for a devilish time on the Wheel of Death, but keep your eyes focused on the top so you don't miss these fast paced stunts that will have you breathless.
As usual the Acrobats don't disappoint on the Teeterboard showcasing their gymnastic precision as Kooza comes to its finale.
Highly recommend Kooza for a great night of entertainment. Located at Flemington Racecouse, Kooza has plenty parking on site.
Review by: Michelle Warmuz - Femail.com.au & Girl.com.au Editor
About Cirque du Soleil Kooza
KOOZA™ is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil ® that combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.
'KOOZA is about human connection and the world of duality, good and bad,' says the show's writer and director David Shiner. 'The tone is fun and funny, light and open. The show doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's very much about ideas, too. As it evolves, we are exploring concepts such as fear, identity, recognition and power.'
The show starts with the Trickster bursting onto the scene like a jack-in-the-box in front of The Innocent, and that's just the first of many surprises to come. The Innocent's journey brings him into contact with a panoply of comic characters such as the King, the Trickster, the Heimloss, the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.
Between strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, KOOZA explores themes of identity, recognition and power. The show is set in an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprises, thrills, chills, audacity and total involvement.
The name KOOZA is inspired by the Sanskrit word 'koza,' which means 'box,' 'chest' or 'treasure,' and was chosen because one of the underlying concepts of the production is the idea of a 'circus in a box.'
Aerial Hoop
With the ability to fly, swoop, spin, and swing in every direction, the long flowing dynamics of the aerial hoop's motion is juxtaposed against the gripping, high octane acrobatics performed by the artist. The breathtaking versatility of the Aerial Hoop allows the performer to take command of the stage and soar to incredible acrobatic feats while continuously building the excitement to a completely astounding climax.
Balancing on Chairs
The equipment is as simple as it gets: eight chairs and a pedestal, but in this act, the artist uses them to create a 23–foot, (7 meters-) tower on which to perform a balancing act that displays the human body at the very peak of condition and muscular control.
Charivari
The House Troupe burst into action at the top of the show. The act highlights include human pyramids, bodies flying through the air and a 'crash bash'a daring dive into a circle of fabric inspired by the 'Nalukauq', the traditional Inuit game of 'Blanket Toss'
and the landing mats used by firefighters..
Contortion
Young performers work in unison to bring a new approach to the art of contortion. What sets this number apart are the artists' innovations in movements and position, their speed, and the way they work as a team to create tableaux of sculptural beauty.
Cirque Du Soleil Slot Machine
High Wire
The twin high wires are suspended 15 feet (4.5 meters) and 25 feet (7.6 meters) above the stage, and four tightrope walkers add their own tension to the 6,600-pound load on each rope. Their expert ability allows them to perform feats in the air that most
of us would find difficult to do on the ground.
Hoops Manipulation
A hoops act with such a high level of difficulty is a rare demonstration of skill, and the KOOZA artist is one of the best in the world. Combining fluidity of movement, physical contortion, exceptional balance and impressive dexterity, her performance is out of this world, whether she is spinning one, two, three, or even seven hoops simultaneously.
Teeterboard
The Teeterboard flings artists into the air, where they execute quintuple twisting somersaults'and that's just the prelude for acrobats doing the same thing over 30 feet (9 meters) above the stage with double and single metal stilts strapped to their legs.
Unicycle Duo
A twist on the classic unicycle number introduces a passenger to the action. Two performers create a pas de deux in constant motion around the stage with a combination of balance, acrobatic control, physical strength, choreographic grace and a spirit of partnership.
Wheel of Death
KOOZA's 1,600-pound Wheel of Death rotates at heart-stopping speeds, powered only by the two artists who leap and counter-rotate in a death-defying display of fearless acrobatics and astonishing teamwork. Like the High Wire, the Wheel of Death is positioned diagonally, stage left to stage right, in order to break with the usual symmetry and bring the action as close as
possible to the audience.
KOOZA - Cirque Du Soliel
Sydney – finished
Brisbane - finished
Melbourne - From January 20 2017, Flemington Racecourse
Perth - From April 13 2017, Belmont Park Racecourse, Victoria Park Drive (off Farmer Freeway), Burswood
Tickets at www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza
Published on January 21st, 2017 by Andrew Bistak
Summary: Cirque du Soleil Kooza has arrived in Melbourne for 2017 and it's another spectacular from this famous circus troupe!
Cirque du Soleil returns to Melbourne Australia with their latest circus spectacular KOOZA which graces Flemmington Racecourse. As their famous blue and yellow big top stands tall on these grounds, it is filled with modern circus wonder, humour and some truly jaw-dropping performances that will leave you thoroughly satisfied.
The theme of Kooza is magic as we follow a humble kite pilot called the innocent (Vladislav Zolotarev) who is drawn into a truly magical universe that is like something out of a classic fairy tale as it cleverly twists traditional circus into something truly exciting and very memorably. It also draws other influences such as Vaudeville, Carniville, Showgirls and even the Day of the Dead as this international cast of over 50 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors bring you into their extraordinary world of circus talents.
Photo: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil
Kooza commences with some classic clowning led by The King (Ghislain Ramage) that consists of some hilarious audience interaction before we’re introduced to the innocent who receives a mysterious parcel. Upon receiving this parcel, he discovers that this colourful box holds something enchanted and when he opens it, he unwittingly unleashes the Trickster (Mike Tyus) or the ‘ringmaster’ who summons the rest of the Kooza troupe in magnificent fashion. To compliment Kooza, there’s fantastic live music from The Band with singers Lisa Marie Ramey and Alessandra Gonzalez who’s powerful and haunting voices really add to the magic of the show and it even channels music from around the globe like tribal and Bollywood.
Photo: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil
Kooza Cirque Du Soleil Reviews 2018
As mentioned, Kooza is a tribute to the Golden Age of Circus but with its unique Cirque du Soleil makeover that takes familiar performances such as contortion, high wire and clowning, then adds the unknown, the wonder and takes it to a totally new level. For example, the two contortionists Sunderiya Jargalsaikhan and Ninjin Altankhuyag who are both from Mongolia left the audience amazed and bewildered at what the human body can do as they twist, contort and balance on each other that just confuse your senses. To add to the spectacle, costumes and make-up play an important part of Kooza which really makes the performers look like they are from some other world and would probably not look at of place on Mount Olympus as these circus godlings defy the laws of physics… or what us mere mortals (the audience) could never do.
Photo: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil
Another highlight of the show was Marie-Eve Bisson who performed the Cerceau high above the crowd who brought this raw energy and emotion as she carefully swung, balanced and captivated the audience as she showcased her amazing skills and flirted with not just the audience but danger itself. Following Bisson was the Russian Unicycle Duo that again defied logic as Yury Shavro rode his unicycle around the stage as Olga Tutynina used her partner’s body to execute some amazing manoeuvres while the rider demonstrated his amazing balance and strength. It doesn’t stop there because the four High Wire walkers (Vincente Quiros Dominguez, Roberto Quiros Dominguez, Brayhan Sanchez and Flouber Sanchez) who not only performed acrobatics high above the stage but they even rode a dual bicycle on the wire, while another balanced a chair atop of them. It was truly quite stunning!
Photo: Morgan Norman Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt © 2014 Cirque du Soleil
The Wheel of Death (Jimmy Ibarra and Ronald Solis) which is a circus favourite had these performers jumping, flying and cheekily gave the audience a fright as they strutted their mastery of this device high above the crowd as the wheel spun quite fast. Add in an almost seductive hoop manipulation act by Irina Akimova plus a ridiculously high balancing chairs act by Yao Deng Bo and once again, these performers will leave you bewildered with your brain trying to understand how they achieve the impossible.
Photo: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil
Furthermore Kooza features three highly hilarious clowns who “volunteer” two audience members to help with their act and on opening night this included Candace and Max who became part of their joke which left the audience in hysterics. In terms of audience interaction, a group of skeleton dancers that was a cross between Vegas Showgirls and the Day of the Dead moved through the crowd to keep the attendees distracted until the next act appeared just add to the overall enjoyment and interactivity of this Cirque du Soleil brilliance. The final act was the Teeterboard as performers jumped, flew and spun in the air, including men on stilts which was a great way to conclude the show that celebrated a history of circus.
Photo: Carlos Müller Costumes Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt © 2016 Cirque du Solei
Final Thoughts?
Kooza is another wonderful Cirque du Soleil extravaganza that not only pays home to the traditional circus but amps it up to the next level with man-made magic and wonder that will make you laugh, gasp and leave you bewildered as you experience the world’s best circus troupe. So if you have never seen a Cirque du Soleil show before, this will be the start of something beautiful and if you have, you already know what you’re going into, so get ready for another thrilling ride as you witness the marvel of Guy Laliberté’s amazing circus.
The Melbourne season of Kooza runs until March 26 and the Perth season opens on April 13. For information and ticket sales, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.
Cirque Du Soleil Kooza Gallery
Photo:Brau Perez Marti Costumes Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt © 2016 Cirque du Solei
Photo: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil
Photo: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du SoleilPhoto: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du SoleilPhoto: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du SoleilPhoto: Carlos Müller Costumes Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt © 2016 Cirque du SoleiPhoto: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du SoleilPhoto: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil
Photo: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil
Photo: Matt Beard Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt ©2012 Cirque du Soleil