OVO @ The Royal Albert Hall Review

The beauty of planet Earth lies within its complexity. Multiple factors co-dependently fuelling our day to day. Our knowledge of the animal kingdom expands, but will always remain mysterious to humanity, but this is where the magic lies. Cirque du Soleil’s OVO taps into our fascination with the animal kingdom, returning with their latest show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil.

Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil.

The evening’s set up is a fun one, a giant egg resides on stage, its purpose, unknown but sparking conversation amongst the auditorium, a reminder as to how theatre can plant a seed and spark the imagination. It transpires that the egg belongs to a fly-like protagonist, his aim, to pursue a safe space for it. Cue two hours of adventure fuelled narrative, flourished with an assortment of vivacious creatures and settings.

A Bug’s Life immediately comes to mind when watching this. The large ensemble working meticulously to muster up the energy of a minuscule yet dynamic minibeast kingdom. Critters take centre stage, centipedes leg juggle large slices of kiwi fruit effortlessly, balancing each other by the soles of their feet, grasshoppers encompass the space in large packs, moths glide beautifully on silks over the scuttling community, collaborating to assert their dominance. An enchanting yet lethal spider like creature contorts, eerily bending her body into various positions as if to scare her predators. Insects teem, the action continuous, making for a very entertaining evening.

Our ring master, a colourful cockroach/caterpillar hybrid comically guides the ensemble and the evening, his energy, friendly. A love story also ensues, our protagonist, the fly-like creature falls for a vivacious lady bug, his attempts to woo her continuously unsuccessful, keeping the evening light hearted. Deborah Colker writes and directs a vibrant show. Cirque’s staple of utilising a fictional language fulfils their intention of highlighting their treasure trove of circus skills. Teamed up with Jonathan Dean’s eclectic and atmospheric sound design, a subterranean world of borrows and greenery are realised.

Video projection further magnifies the miniscule world established. Teamed up with Philippe Aubertin’s gymnastic choreography, in particular, trampoline-centric sequences, Cirque further prove just how ambitious they are in scale as the audience witness bugs tumbling from a height only to bounce back to their original position. Bugs clamber up a rock climbing wall, projections of various surfaces creating an aura of magic. OVO is fun, a show for the family to enjoy and a celebration of circus! 4/5

Review written by Lucy Basaba.

OVO is currently showing until Sunday 4th March 2018 at the Royal Albert Hall. For more information on the production, visit here…

Written by Theatrefullstop