Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Crystal’ makes a dazzling debut Down Under

Cirque du Soleil has long been known for its big surprises but this astonishing interaction with the audience took the magic to a whole new level. CRYSTAL REVIEW

Cirque du Soleil’s much-anticipated Australian debut of ‘Crystal’ on Friday night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre did more than just impress — it left audiences in sheer awe.

The two-hour extravaganza took spectators on a mesmerising journey that showcased the theatrical wizardry this internationally renowned troupe is famed for.

Cirque Du Soleil's new show Crystal. Picture: Matt Beard.

As soon as the spectators filled their seats, the magic began.

The winter wonderland setting, complete with skaters, acrobats, live music, and snow, transported the audience into the parallel universe of Crystal, a suburban teenager yearning for more from her life.

As the show unfolds, we see the protagonist tumble into a world of imagination after falling through the ice of a frozen lake.

The narrative, while captivating, served as a beautiful backdrop to a breathtaking array of acrobatics and ice skating, delivered with synchronisation, precision and undeniable courage.

Despite ‘Crystal’ being Cirque du Soleil’s first foray into ice-skating performances, the art form melds so perfectly into their traditional circus act style that you would believe they’ve been doing it since the company’s inception.

Highlights included a death-defying tower-of-chairs balancing act, a nailbiting trapeze sequence, and ice skaters backflipping over each other at breakneck speeds.

Cirque Du Soleil's new show Crystal. Picture: Matt Beard.

The performance wasn’t only about daredevil stunts, the inclusion of live music, featuring chart-toppers from Sia, Beyoncé, and U2 kept the energy levels up throughout the evening, with spectators quietly singing along.

The spectacle was further amplified with choreographed dance sequences, as well as lighthearted comedy, including a snowball fight with the crowd, much to the delight of the younger members of the audience.

The performance was not without hiccups, as a fall or two occurred during the act, however, these were artfully integrated into the performance as if choreographed.

Since its debut in 2017, ‘Crystal’ has captivated almost two million spectators in 18 different countries.

The Brisbane performance was the first of seven, ahead of 12 shows scheduled for Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Crystal’ tickets are still available at premier.ticketek.com.au.