Cirque du Soleil launches 'Kooza' in London
- 11 years ago
Cirque du Soleil's latest circus spectacular lands in London.
Combining death defying acrobatics with dazzling production, 'Kooza' kicked off its European tour at the Royal Albert Hall
Artistic director Michael G. Smith said 'Kooza' takes Cirque du Soleil back to its roots.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL G. SMITH, 'KOOZA' ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SAYING:
"It's really our tribute to the traditional art of circus. The show is very dependent on the performers themselves and we have some very scary, high-risk acts in the show."
Among the high-risk acrobatics, a breathtaking Wheel of Death - an act the company has never before presented under the big top.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL G. SMITH, 'KOOZA' ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SAYING:
"That's the fear and wonder of circus. That's what people come to see; they want to see the impossible. And these people deliver the impossible - and I sweat along with it."
Among the show's celebrity fans out for the gala performance, actress Olivia Williams was in awe of the show's creativity.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) OLIVIA WILLIAMS, ACTRESS AND CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FAN, SAYING:
"This is live singers, original composition and just the most amazing imagination that goes into it. So yeah, I'm a gushing fan."
Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley, along with son and fellow actor Ferdinand, said they were long-time fans of Cirque du Soleil.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SIR BEN KINGSLEY (LEFT) AND SON FERDINAND KINGSLEY (RIGHT), ACTORS AND CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FANS, SAYING:
"I first went in Montreal in the nineties when they were just getting started. I was absolutely blown away by it."
(FERDINAND KINGSLEY SAYS: "You use to bring me when I was little as well")
"You saw 'Alegria'"
(FERDINAND KINGSLEY SAYS: "And 'Saltimbanco'")
"And 'Saltimbanco'. Huge fans for ages. Love them"
'Kooza' has captivated close to four million spectators in North America and Japan.
It will now hope to do the same as it heads out across Europe.
Combining death defying acrobatics with dazzling production, 'Kooza' kicked off its European tour at the Royal Albert Hall
Artistic director Michael G. Smith said 'Kooza' takes Cirque du Soleil back to its roots.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL G. SMITH, 'KOOZA' ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SAYING:
"It's really our tribute to the traditional art of circus. The show is very dependent on the performers themselves and we have some very scary, high-risk acts in the show."
Among the high-risk acrobatics, a breathtaking Wheel of Death - an act the company has never before presented under the big top.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL G. SMITH, 'KOOZA' ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SAYING:
"That's the fear and wonder of circus. That's what people come to see; they want to see the impossible. And these people deliver the impossible - and I sweat along with it."
Among the show's celebrity fans out for the gala performance, actress Olivia Williams was in awe of the show's creativity.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) OLIVIA WILLIAMS, ACTRESS AND CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FAN, SAYING:
"This is live singers, original composition and just the most amazing imagination that goes into it. So yeah, I'm a gushing fan."
Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley, along with son and fellow actor Ferdinand, said they were long-time fans of Cirque du Soleil.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SIR BEN KINGSLEY (LEFT) AND SON FERDINAND KINGSLEY (RIGHT), ACTORS AND CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FANS, SAYING:
"I first went in Montreal in the nineties when they were just getting started. I was absolutely blown away by it."
(FERDINAND KINGSLEY SAYS: "You use to bring me when I was little as well")
"You saw 'Alegria'"
(FERDINAND KINGSLEY SAYS: "And 'Saltimbanco'")
"And 'Saltimbanco'. Huge fans for ages. Love them"
'Kooza' has captivated close to four million spectators in North America and Japan.
It will now hope to do the same as it heads out across Europe.