REVIEW: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Volta’ raises the bigtop with bravery
Photo: The “Daydreaming” sequence in Cirque du Soleil’s Volta is a highlight of the show. Photo courtesy of Patrice Lamoureux / Provided with permission.
The company members of Cirque du Soleil’s Volta put on brave faces for their current engagement in the Meadowlands of New Jersey. The production was delayed by a few weeks because of a horrible tragedy that took the life of performer Yann Arnaud in Florida, and there seemed to be uncertainty about the Garden State run of performances.
The fact that these Cirque employees continued on with the show, no doubt facing difficult obstacles on an emotional level, is a testament to their dedication to the art form and fortitude to overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles.
Volta tells the story of Waz, a young man who seeks fame on a reality competition show. He soon realizes that his pursuit is a misguided one, and it takes wondrous acts of theatrical artistry to convince him of his transformation.
The show represents Cirque’s 41st show (18th under the big top), and, for the most part, the circus antics were met with rapturous applause at a recent performance in the Meadowlands.
Some of the highlights among the acts include the single and double Dutch rope-swinging sequences that set the performance on the right foot — literally. The impressive “Shape Diving” found a variety of performers sending their bodies through an increasingly difficult set of hexagons stacked on top of one another. The BMX finale, featuring acrobatics on bicycles, served as a fitting conclusion.
The overarching story of Waz and his journey to appreciate freedom didn’t work as well as the high-flying acts. The opening sequence involving a reality show competition came off as odd and misplaced, and the interludes featuring the main character seemed like a disruption from the main draw.
The clown scenes were minimal and also didn’t earn the expected laughs. There was also no audience participation like other Cirque shows. Thankfully, the singers and band filled in the blanks with that unique brand of Cirque music.
Throughout the entire performance one could not stray from the bravery of the acrobats. They were offering thrilling and dangerous sequences for the crowd’s delight, only a few weeks after losing one of their friends under that big top. Their dedication to entertainment and artistry is greatly appreciated.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Cirque du Soleil’s Volta continues through May 6 in the Meadowlands of New Jersey and then travels to Uniondale, New York, starting May 17. Click here for more information and tickets.
