Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo, a mesmerising celebration of life and dreams, has premiered at the Royal Albert Hall. Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, it masterfully explores human vulnerability through a whimsical journey of acrobatics, music, and theatre. With spine-tingling feats from some of the best acrobats and clowns in the world, Corteo is a high-energy, captivating spectacle.
Corteo, translated as ‘procession’, honours Mauro the Dreamer Clown with a majestic funeral – his carnival parade. In the company of a chorus of angels, we follow Mauro as he comes to terms with death, navigating a fantastical circus one last time. Despite the sombre theme, the show unfolds as a vibrant celebration of life, inviting you in with childlike wonder.
The Royal Albert Hall makes a perfect backdrop for Corteo, with dizzyingly high ceilings and a stage viewed from all angles. The in-the-round seating has been converted for a traverse stage setup, allowing the equipment to be arranged seamlessly out of sight. The grand setting is aptly reminiscent of a traditional circus setup.
Once the show begins, Mauro is met with a caucus of clowns and characters, and the excitement begins. The surrealist scape then fades away for the first acrobatic feat. Four women twirl from chandeliers rising above Mauro’s bed, reaching for the heights of the Royal Albert Hall. The air of nostalgia between Mauro and his former lovers sweeps the audience up in their mesmerising dance and sets the stage for an evening of thrills.
The show includes familiar circus feats, such as pole acrobatics, Cyr Wheels and juggling at elite levels. At every turn, the performers up the ante to stunts I can still barely believe. If you’ve never imagined balancing on a straight 20-foot ladder to meet an angel, Corteo can help.
The aerial stunts are, of course, what Cirque Du Soleil is known for, and Corteo doesn’t disappoint. The performers executed awe-inspiring flips, splits, turns and all else in immense displays of strength and precision. The adaptation of the Russian Cradle was outstanding, with multiple gymnasts being thrown and caught in unison, and the bar spin finale included more perfectly choreographed flips than I can count.
To top it off, the show was full of unique clowns with extraordinary skills. The Clowness, Valentyna Paylevanyan, stole the show in her helium balloons. Held buoyant by the balloons strapped to her waist, she bounced around the audience, pushed afloat by the crowd. Completely unexpected, the room was full of awe and laughter at the fantastical display.
While the show doesn’t have a traditional storyline, it weaves together a series of vibrant, dreamlike moments with funny cameos and theatrical displays. The combination of live music, stunning visuals, and the incredible talents of the cast ensures that Corteo is everything you could want from a modern circus show.
In a celebration of imagination and human connection, Corteo offers something for everyone—whether it’s the heart-pounding athleticism, laughter-filled antics, or ethereal beauty of the performances. It’s a show that reminds us of the magic in life, beautifully captured in Cirque du Soleil’s signature whimsy.
NEED TO KNOW: Corteo plays at the Royal Albert Hall until 2 March 2025
