REVIEW: Cirque du Soleil OVO – Ovo Hydro Arena, Glasgow
From the moment the audience enters the arena, we are immersed in the sights and sounds of a fantastical rainforest as Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO returns to Glasgow.
Post-pandemic, some new acts have been added while still retaining the original and familiar storyline. `
It is into a bustling, thriving eco-system teaming with vibrant life that a mysterious egg appears accompanied by an eccentric stranger. A lonely ladybug catches the eye of the voyager and the prospect of a different future beckons for the colourful bug and her insect friends.
To be perfectly honest this narrative takes second place to the spectacular display of physical and artistic skills that are synonymous with Cirque du Soleil. The jaw-dropping display of almost inhuman skills is awe-inspiring:
To gasps from the audience, a team of red ants perform gravity-defying moves on the Chinese Poles.
A graceful dragonfly balances on the slender stalks and tendrils of an exotic plant.
A cocoon descends from the sky to perform a metamorphosis in the form of a solo contortion on an aerial silk.
Moving in perfect unison, in the most impressive flying act, a pair of butterflies swoop, glide and soar in an aerial ballet.
A giant slinky-like worm bends and contorts across the stage and while momentarily intriguing to look at, in comparison to the skills on display around it, it is somewhat uninspiring.
The Russian Cradle performed by a team of spectacularly costumed scarab beetles is eye-wateringly impressive. However, depending on the angle you are viewing the action, it is largely obscured.
To the backdrop of a spider’s web, a contortionist performs moves that to any reasonable person – quite frankly anatomically impossible.
Bringing some personality to the proceedings is the Firefly juggling four spools in his Diabolo act.
The duo trapeze combines acrobatics, dance and a phenomenal show of strength and agility.
There is an astonishing display of artistry by Mexican artist Danira Quintanar. Dressed as a lace bug she hangs suspended by her hair many meters from the ground while performing a moving and graceful dance through the air.
Rounding off the proceedings as always is the colony of crickets, bounding up, onto and along the eight-meter vertical wall as if gravity does not exist.
The balance of acts, the changes of pace and tone, the set, costumes, and music combine perfectly to deliver the complete package, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The changes to the show from previous incarnations ensure that it stands up to repeated viewings.
Every superlative has been thrown at Cirque du Soleil since they came to international prominence, and deservedly so. OVO is a work of infinite quality and no-one does spectacle quite like them.
Runs until 24 March at the OVO Hydro Glasgow
