Spaced Out Forum > Cirque Du Soleil

Ade

Nov 15 2005, 06:13 PM

Cirque Du Soleil

At the recommendation of an Aussie friend, I went to see the Cirque Du Soleil show Quidam in early 2001, when they set up camp at Battersea, London. Having no prior knowledge about this Canadian performance troupe, I was utterly gobsmacked at what an incredible show it was - theatrical, dazzling, surreal, exciting, colourful, spellbinding - I fully intend to see them again once they return to our shores. Anyway, I was just intersted to find out if anyone else here has been to see them at all, and if so, which show was it, and what did you think of it?

And in tandem with that, I also wanted to find out what other shows folks might have attended (or enjoyed activities/visited places) that were likewise a little bit left of the norm - a refreshing alternative to the usual weekend venture such as pub, cinema or shopping spree - and I’m really looking for something a little more original than, say, paintballing or go-karting...

kateykinz

Nov 16 2005, 09:16 AM

The first time I saw them was in Melbourne in 2001 - I'd never heard of them but my travelling companion was adamant that we go and I was so pleased that I did. We saw Alegria and it was absoloutely awe-inspiringly fantastic. The music was top notch, the performances left me with my mouth hanging open (and cringing when the contortionists came on), and the characters and clowns were really great as well.

Since then I have watched the 3D film "Journey of Man" at IMAX and gone to see 2 more of their shows - Saltimbanco and Dralion - at the Royal Albert Hall. Alegria was my favourite I think, purely for being the first time I ever saw such an amazing thing. Dralion is brilliant though - you should try and check that out.

I've also watched many of their DVDs and Quidam was actually my least favourite just because it has such a mournful air to it.

They've been doing a performance at the Royal Albert Hall every January for the last couple of years. This January it is Alegria - you should buy your tickets now! I expect most of the best tickets will have gone by now, but because they try to recreate the big top within a hall there are hardly any really bad seats in the house.

kateykinz

Nov 16 2005, 09:21 AM

In regards to out of the norm things to do on a weekend I would recommend heading to Puzzle Wood in the Forest of Dean - supposedly some of the inspiration behind Tolkein's Lord of the Rings scenery.

From an article in The Guardian:

QUOTE

Puzzle Wood (a name not created for the tourists) is a pre-Roman open-cast iron mine reclaimed by nature. Weird rock formations are covered in bright green moss and surrounded by tangled vegetation and higgledy-piggledy trees, falling and re-growing as nature dictates. The maze of paths is kept clear and safe, but the rest is fantastically untamed.

The moment we entered, the boys shouted, "Fangorn" (the wood in Lord Of the Rings) and, in fact, Tolkien almost certainly came here while writing The Hobbit. The owners of Puzzle Wood have set visitors a challenge; seek out six landscape features - then find the way out. We split into pairs and Luke led me a merry dance, like a forest sprite, hither and thither until he'd found it all - then he dived back in and did it again.

Puzzle Wood is not to be missed. Here the under- and over-ground worlds of the forest meet, the past and present, human and natural combine - and the magic is irresistible.

It's best to go in the spring when all the bluebells are out as it makes the place even more beautiful.

Ade

Nov 16 2005, 07:14 PM

Cheers Kateykinz! Puzzle Wood does indeed sound a nice day out!

I knew the Cirque Du Soleil shows had been running at Albert Hall this last few years, but I never managed to get around to sorting out tickets - anybody here interested in going if there are any left?

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