From its humble beginnings in 1984 on the streets of Montreal, Cirque du Soleil has grown into an empire with shows all over the world. Luzia was first introduced in Montreal nine years ago. Once again, we are blessed with the creative story of Luzia in Montreal this summer until August 24th. And if you have never gone to a Cirque du Soleil show before, you are in for a treat. After Allegria, this is my all-time favourite Cirque du Soleil production.
When I reviewed the show then, I brought my oldest son with me, and he loved it. This time, I brought my second oldest son who is now a teenager, and he said it was his favourite show to date of Cirque du Soleil.
What is Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia About?
Each Cirque du Soleil show has a story. There is always a theme, and main character and a story that begins and ends with a message for the audience. Much like a ballet or an opera, Cirque du Soleil curates performances within the story, and creates a full picture.
In a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA takes audiences on a surreal escape to an imaginary Mexico – a sumptuously vibrant world suspended between dreams and reality. Smoothly passing from an old movie set to the ocean to a smoky dance hall or an arid desert, LUZIA journeys through a colorful tapestry of multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity. Poetically guided by light (‘luz’ in Spanish) and rain (‘lluvia’), LUZIA chronicles the encounters of a parachuted traveler with the culture, nature and mythology of a dreamlike land inhabited by a mystifying menagerie of characters. Refreshing and unexpected, LUZIA enchants by artistically incorporating water into the acrobatic presentation – a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production.
What has changed and what has stayed the same
I had to really go back into my memories of the first time I saw Luzia nine years ago to remember what was different this time around. I’m sure over time, Cirque du Soleil tweaks its performances and edits its stories. While some original performances were not included in our date’s show, they may change sometimes within the production. The absolute showstopper remained as the key element in the production: the running woman with monarch butterfly wings! This is the one of the very first scenes and it pays tribute to the annual migratory journey that monarch butterflies take from southern Canada to central Mexico. Each wing is six meters long and is made of silk. It is truly a beautiful sight!
The Element of Water in Luzia
I am not 100% certain but I believe even more water elements were added into the Luzia production. Yes, you read right, water plays a major part in the performances, and it is breathtaking and unbelievable. Just for the sheer creation of acrobat performances on stage with water pouring down on and around the artists…I was in awe. How? Well, not only was it a massive technical challenge, it had to be safe for the performers. The water is filtered, disinfected and maintained at a constant 39°C for the artists. A total of 10,000 liters of water is used during each performance BUT it is recycled for the entire duration of a stay in each city.
A bridge suspended 14 meters (46 feet) above the stage supports the water reserve and the set of 174 nozzles. The structure can rotate 360 degrees. The nozzles can be individually controlled to create two-dimensional images using water droplets and blank spaces. The water in the basin is channeled to an external 3,000-litre tank where it is treated and pumped up to the bridge 17 meters (56 feet) above the stage.
To see the water elements happen live with each performance is incredible. We held our breath a few times! Just to create this innovative concept on stage meant finding new ways to create costumes, shoes, and more.
Fun (and Amazing) Cirque du Soleil Facts:
- The Big Top seats more than 2,600 people.
- The entire site set-up takes 8 days. This includes the installation of the Big Top, the Concessions Tent, the VIP Tents and the rehearsal spaces.
- The Big Top stands at 19 meters (62 feet) high and is 51 meters (167 feet) in diameter.
- The Big Top can withstand winds up to 120 km/h (75 mph)..
- A total 115 people from 26 countries are part of the touring cast and crew of LUZIA.
- The 47 artists alone represent 18 different nationalities – how beautiful!
- There are more than 40 different job titles on site.
- Each costume is custom-fitted for each artist and handcrafted at the Cirque du Soleil International Head Quarters in Montreal. The average lifespan of the Luzia costume pieces is 1 year.
- For Luzia’s water performances, new types of soles had to be designed for shoes, while a system to dry costumes between shows had to be developed.
A Superb Teen Activity for the Summer
Montreal families, you will love this performance! I want to take my whole family to see Luzia, and I would love to see again too. Teenagers will really enjoy the strong men and women performers – it is mind-blowing to see what they can do on stage. Given that my boys are into lifting, they will no doubt be thoroughly impressed with each performer. As I mentioned to a friend, there are some Cirque shows that tend to lean too much for young children, and some that are a little too artistically out there for kids to enjoy.
While Cirque du Soleil always pushes boundaries for the audience to see art in different ways, and some costumes might surprise your teen, the whole performance is an entertainment overload! The music is lively and fun (my favourite song is Marimba no.7), the costumes are colourful and brilliant, and the performances are truly incredible. Luzia is a show for all ages, so if you have the opportunity to go, I know your children (young and old) will enjoy it.
Thank you to Cirque du Soleil for inviting me once again to see Luzia. I am and will always be a fan, inspired by your work. Merci!
Disclosure: I was gifted tickets to see Luzia. I was not required to write a review; I just really wanted to share our experience! All images provided by photographer, Anne Colliard of Cirque du Soleil.