First review: Cirque du Soleil Luzia at the Adelaide Showground

Set in a whimsical Mexico, Cirque’s astonishing new show – featuring a mind-blowing contortionist and a stunning ‘rain curtain’ – not only exceeds expectations, it smashes them.

There’s an audible gasp from the crowd as contortionist Aleksei Goloborodko slowly uncurls his long limbs from around his head.

Defying everything we thought we knew about the human body, the Russian twists and turns his back with all the flexibility of a snake sunbathing on a rock.

At one stage, Goloborodko’s head is touching his backside, then it’s resting against his thigh – before he coils his spine into yet another mind-bending position.

It’s stomach-turning stuff, but no one in the opening night audience dare looks away.

Goloborodko is just one of several mesmerising acts in Cirque du Soleil’s new production, Luzia, which is at the Adelaide Showground for the next month.

Back in Australia for the first time since the pandemic – save for their foray onto ice last year – Cirque’s remarkable show not only exceeds expectations, it smashes them.

Set in a whimsical, wonderful Mexico, Luzia brings to the fore everything we know and love about the acclaimed circus troupe – then takes it to another level.

Helena Merten in Cirque du Soleil's Luzia. Photo: Anne Colliard

Contortionist Aleksei Goloborodko in new Cirque du Soleil show Luzia. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Cirque du Soleil Luzia. Supplied imagery.

There’s plenty of jaw-dropping acrobatics, plus an array of hoop divers, jugglers, trapeze artists and aerialists, among the cast of almost 50 from around the globe.

But an added spectacle is the show’s stunning ‘rain curtain’ – a first for Cirque – created using an intricate, recycled water system which drops up to 10,000L onto the stage each night.

During a number of scenes, aerial performers gracefully glide and somersault amid a tropical ‘downpour’, while another spins around below on a cyr wheel.

Cirque du Soleil Luzia. Pics: Supplied.

Cirque du Soleil Luzia. Pics: Supplied.

At one point, an artist emerges from an on-stage pool, showing great strength as he twirls in mid-air, suspended from straps high above.

Other highlights include a caped superhero on a giant 360-degree swing, and a lifesaver’s heart-in-mouth balancing act more than 20m off the ground.

While some of the acrobatics might seem familiar, rest assured it’s been elevated to a new standard – and given an extra creative touch.

Few opening nights are without missteps, particularly one filled with so much daring. A couple of tricks failed to land but if anything, proved the very real danger presented by some of the acts.

Hapless clown Eric Koller provided a lighter touch to the evening, and his tongue-in-cheek interaction with the audience gave us some comedic respite amid the breathtaking sequences.

The emotive use of various musical styles, combined with the stunning sets cleverly designed for the circular stage, complete a magical experience under the Big Top.