LUZIA by Daniele Finzi Pasca and Julie Hamelin Finzi (Cirque du Soleil). At the Grand Chapiteau, in the port lands. Runs to October 16. From $49. cirquedusoleil.com/luzia. See listings. Rating: NNNNN
The Olympics opens this weekend, but for some jaw-dropping feats of physicality that get top marks for artistic impression and pure fun, its hard to beat Luzia, Cirque du Soleils sun-drenched, colourful ode to Mexico.
Its one of the most beautifully consistent Cirque spectacles yet, with the design, direction and acrobatics all poured into one playful pinata. Clearly, director and co-writer Daniele Finzi Pasca has been inspired by the countrys thrilling natural life. Insects embark on a parade, noble animals gallop, prowl and prance. Even the lowly prickly cacti get a couple of moments in the spotlight.
All the earths elements get a nod, but one in particular gets a mini-tribute: water. No surprise if youve ever been caught in a sudden Mexican downpour. Theres a cute bit in which scuba divers, suspended from wires, appear to be swimming in the ocean. A couple of aerial stunts use water to fine effect, including one in which a Tarzan-like figure (Benjamin Courtenay) twirls and plummets vertically, occasionally whipping his long mane in the water and out into the audience.
But the most breathtaking use of H2O starts off as a simple clown turn in which the nimble Eric Fool Koller, wanting water for his canteen, keeps missing the rain. What follows I can only describe it as descending water sculpture is simply stunning.
The acrobatic acts are beautifully integrated into the show. Mexicos charming cinema of the 1920s is given a lovely homage in a scene in which a muscle-bound lifeguard (Ugo Laffolay, making each action look effortless) balances on flexible canes that rise higher and higher while a director shouts below and people move mechanical waves.
Laura Biondo and Abou Troare have great fun as a pair of soccer players whose balls seem a part of their body. Troares soccer-themed reference to Michael Jacksons Moondance gets a huge ovation.
Alexey Goloborodkos contortion act is thrilling from his first appearance, when he looks like some large mollusc and then appears to reassemble his limbs like a child playing with a plastic toy.
And Luzia even manages to breathe new life into juggling. Rudolf Janeceks manipulation of shiny, hypnotic pins is so good and the performer so charming and modest that even when he occasionally drops an item youre rooting for him.
Simon Carpentiers lively music, as well as Giovanna Buzzis costumes and Eugenio Caballeros sets and props all add to the overall effects, and thanks to a slowly revolving stage, even audience members at the extreme sides get a good view of certain stunts.
Gold medals for all.
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glenns@nowtoronto.com | @glennsumi
