For these planning to attend Cirque du Soleil’s new Christmas present, Twas the Night time Earlier than, on the Meridian Corridor in downtown Toronto, count on one thing slightly totally different from the same old high-flying extravaganza. This newest vacation providing is a extra intimate, Broadway-style manufacturing, however it nonetheless bursts with the vitality, quirkiness, and awe-inspiring expertise which have made Cirque du Soleil a beloved establishment.
Cirque du Soleil a staple of Toronto’s vacation season, historically organising its iconic massive prime tents in Toronto. These performances have been outlined by breathtaking high-wire acts, somersaulting acrobats, and eccentric storylines that go away a lot open to interpretation. Twas the Night time Earlier than departs from that system barely, providing a cozier expertise tailored to the smaller stage of the Meridian Corridor.
Based mostly on the basic 1823 poem “A Go to From Saint Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, the present provides the timeless story a contemporary twist. With a soundtrack that blends techno, pop, and rap interpretations of acquainted Christmas carols, this manufacturing firmly grounds itself within the current day.
The story facilities on Isabella, a contemporary, tech-obsessed teenager who spends her time doing TikTok dances and listening to music via her headphones. On Christmas Eve, her loving father items her a shiny new bicycle and proposes their annual custom of studying Moore’s poem. Isabella, caught up in her personal world, rejects his gesture.
Issues take a magical flip when a sudden snowstorm whisks Isabella from her bed room to a fantastical world inhabited by Santa’s playful and mischievous elves. From this level, the present transforms into a visible feast of acrobatics, juggling, and dance, with Isabella as a largely passive observer.
Among the many standout acts is a mysterious juggler who may simply be Santa Claus in disguise, a duo of curler skaters who evoke a Xanadu vibe, and a troupe of sugar plum fairies who carry out acrobatics atop a eating desk. The present additionally incorporates a diva-like character who turns a resort baggage cart right into a high-wire prop and a goddess determine who swings gracefully over the stage, suspended solely by her hair.
Probably the most placing performances comes from a bunch of 4 performers clad in puffer jackets, who use neon-lit diabolos (spinning tops on strings) to create dazzling gentle shows that reach out into the viewers. In a pleasant interactive second, two viewers members are invited on stage to change into a part of the act, surrounded by the spinning diabolos.
All through the present, Isabella’s father wanders the unusual and magical world, trying to find his daughter. His journey culminates in a powerful high-wire act that includes a lamp, a second that highlights each his acrobatic talent and the story’s emotional core.
Ultimately, Isabella embraces the magic of Christmas. Reunited together with her father, she lastly will get her second to shine. Balancing on the bicycle her father gifted her, she performs a powerful collection of stunts that change into one of many present’s most memorable highlights.
However the grand finale nonetheless awaits. The enigmatic juggler reveals himself as none apart from St. Nick, whereas his “reindeer” — a troupe of hoop divers — take flight. The performers leap via an more and more tall stack of golden hoops, and regardless of a number of fumbles through the Thursday media preview, the viewers responded with enthusiastic applause after they nailed the daring feats. Watching the acrobats soar 10 toes into the air to clear the hoops is a testomony to the talent and thrill that Cirque du Soleil is thought for.
Ultimately, Twas the Night time Earlier than delivers 90 minutes of pure vacation pleasure. Whereas some die-hard followers of Cirque’s grander productions may miss the spectacle of the large prime, this present affords its personal model of festive magic and family-friendly enjoyable. It’s a heartwarming expertise that’s positive to elevate your vacation spirits.
And for individuals who crave the Cirque du Soleil expertise, there’s excellent news. The present will likely be on stage in Toronto till January 3 2025 and tickets are nonetheless accessible.
#CirqueDuSoleil #TwasTheNightBefore #HolidayShow #TorontoEvents #FamilyFun #ChristmasInToronto #CirqueMagic
