I, like many others, have mixed feelings about the circus. The strange, slightly eerie clowns, with their painted-on faces that denote a ‘seedy underbelly’ kind of demeanor…Hmm, ok, maybe it’s just the thought of clowns that make me slightly cringe at the thought of spending an evening down at the circus. (Ok, going to be delving into any and all past childhood experiences with less than reputable clowns to get to the bottom of their immediate recoil effect on me… Stay tuned for future psycho-analytical clown-based blog posts…)
Last week, I decided to fully give myself over to the slightly discombobulated feeling that comes with being under the big top, at the opening of
Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza down at Stampede Park.
As with any Cirque show (this was my fourth production), the show starts before the show. Clowns (and other show characters) roam the crowd in full character, often engaging the audience members in cheeky pranks. (I think it best not to make direct eye contact at this, or any point. Simply best if trying not to provoke any kind of audience participation. Although it is always fun to watch others being led astray...Notably our mayor Dave Bronconnier, a very good sport indeed.)
And then it begins—the full circus spectacle that has become synonymous with Cirque du Soleil. The lavish costumes, the sleight of hand tricks, contortionists (wow!), and of course the death-defying stunts that still make me close my eyes, and yelp—ok scream—as I clutch to the person next to me.
And that, in the end is the magic that comes with giving yourself over to the circus: The slightly disoriented feeling that comes with an endless barrage of the strange, funny, exhilarating, and in the end touching and beautiful.
Even with scary clown or two thrown in.
Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza plays in Calgary through October 24.