The Stage

Cirque de Soleil - Dralion

Published Monday 12 January 2004 at 15:55 by Liz Arratoon

Cirque du Soleil returns with another mix of technical wizardry and dazzling artistry. Often criticised for its corporate vision of circus, Dralion is essentially what we have come to expect of the French-Canadian company; a flashy set, elaborate costumes, loud music and most of all, stunning acts.

This time it adds its unique touch to ancient Chinese circus skills, and whatever anyone may think of the spectacular packaging, the performers are amazing.

In a mostly Chinese company, lone British artist Colette Morrow performs an elegant and touching pas de deux on cobalt blue aerial silks with Igor Arefiev. The trio somersaulting on rolling balls are thrilling and the accompanying dragon/lion (dralion) dance, with its gold and orange banners and intricate costumes, is a joy. Tiny pedestal balancer Zhao Yasi, stylish juggler Viktor Kee, the double trapeze with breathtaking casting and catching moves, and the bizarrely dressed hoop divers are most impressive. The teeter-board number and tableaux of girls standing on point on light bulbs are unfortunately heavily lunge-assisted.

Sadly, Cirque fails again with its clowns, apart from when they reprise the other acts, and the music/singing wanders all round the globe, seldom complementing the action. Overall, the impression is rather a mish-mash played out on a set that includes a grid-patterned climbing wall, a huge circular construction, which is lowered, raised, rotated or tilted either transporting artists or simply for decoration and a gorgeous circular veil dropped at the interval.

Dralion may not be Cirque du Soleil as its very best, but, as ever, it enraptures the audience.