Cirque du Soleil – Quidam

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Cirque du Soleil
Ricoh Coliseum
Dec. 20 to 30, 2011

Cirque du Soleil created Quidam in 1996. It’s been touring as an arena show since 2010.

Cirque defines a quidam as a nameless person, a voice trying to express individuality. A little girl called Zoé, played by singer Alessandra Gonzalez, is ignored by her parents, and the circus show is her retreat into her imagination.

Themes tend to be backgrounders, however. A basic Cirque show is the circus acts punctuated by clowns and choreography.

Quidam is a quiet show, meaning more craft than razzle dazzle. This allows you to concentrate on the masterful skill of the performers.

For example, a spectacular act called Statue features Natalia and Alexandre Pestov in slow motion balances. At one point, Natalia is upside down, her shoulders on his, and that is the only point of contact.

The clowns are also very funny.

Quidam continues at Ricoh Coliseum until Dec. 30. The show then tours to Oshawa at the General Motors Centre, Jan. 4 to 8.