’Magical experience’: Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia dazzles

Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. If you’ve never been to a Cirque du Soleil show before, you couldn’t ask for a better introduction than the show that’s just arrived in Brisbane.

Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. If you’ve never been to a Cirque du Soleil show before, you couldn’t ask for a better introduction than Luzia.

If like me you’ve been lucky enough to see a few, get ready for some breathtaking surprises.

It was 25 years ago that the Canadian-based touring company first arrived in Australia with its captivating show, Saltimbanco.

Up went the magnificent Grand Chapiteau, its iconic Big Top at Victoria Park in Herston (before the inner-city bypass was constructed) and up rolled excited ticketholders young and old.

Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA.

A young university student at the time, I got a casual job working on the show as an usher and watched on night after night as audiences were left spellbound. It’s the same magical experience now as it was back then.

The swell of excitement when you first spot the Big Top – a sight to behold in its own right – the smell of popcorn as you enter the foyer, the roving entertainers that play with the audience while people find their seats, the incredible artistry of the sets and costumes, the other-worldly music and last but not least, the spectacular acts.

Caught up in daily life, it’s easy to forget the transformative power of the arts. How it can melt your worries away in an instant and access the world of emotion swirling around inside you.

How it can make you feel hopeful, uplifted, lighter. How it can make you remember the wonder and awe our world has to offer if only we can sit still long enough to see it.

Luzia is Cirque du Soleil’s 10th show in Australia. While each show the company creates is unique, Luzia truly stands out.

Inspired by Mexico, this colourful and dazzling production is Cirque du Soleil’s first touring show to incorporate rain on stage. The added element of water takes the production to a whole other level of wonder. It is used so beautifully, cleverly and magically as the artists perform mesmerising acts including the cyr wheel, trapeze dance, straps and more.

The impressive rain show at LUZIA.

A feast for the senses, the show includes hoop diving, adagio quartet, canes, football dance, Chinese poles, juggling, contortion, the death-defying swing to swing and a magical scene where rain falls in intricate shapes from the sky.

It was a joyous night out, made all the more special because my husband and I stayed the night at Rydges South Bank, an easy 20-minute drive from the show site in Eagle Farm.

Centrally located in the city’s cultural heart, Rydges has long been a big supporter of the arts, partnering with touring productions to provide theatregoers the ultimate city escape and night off from reality. Our stylish, spacious king suite offers a large living area and separate bedroom as well as glimpses of the Brisbane River from the open balcony.

I planned to take a soak in the big island bath before the show, but failed to wake up in time from a late afternoon nap on the super soft, super comfy king bed.

The view from Rydges South Bank.

In another win for theatregoers, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant Bacchus offers a pre-theatre dining menu that ensures you won’t go to the show hungry or needing to raid the candy bar at intermission.

If you have time, there is also a tasting menu or a la carte menu on offer.

On our visit (post-nap, pre-show), we are treated to the chef’s selection of mouth-watering amuse bouche, entrees of delicious house-made focaccia, delicate kingfish sashimi and smoky baby squid, mains of fragrant lemon risotto and fresh Murray cod, and a decadent apple dessert with honey, cinnamon and blue cheese.

It had all the best adjectives and was topped off with matching wines presented by a knowledgeable sommelier.

The apple dessert at Bacchus at South Bank.

If you’re after a more casual meal, the Soleil Pool Bar offers a comprehensive cocktail and grazing menu of smaller and larger dishes such as pan fried haloumi with olive and caper salsa, a mezze plate, pizzas, a classic cheeseburger and more.

If you’re having trouble choosing from the cocktail list, consider trying their signature drink, Secret Garden Party, prepared with whatever is in season. The food offerings don’t end there, with a full buffet breakfast and high tea in Bacchus.

Rydges is just a hop, skip and a jump from the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and QAGOMA, and with the new Sky Deck at Queen’s Wharf almost on your doorstep, Rydges South Bank is the perfect base to explore some of Brisbane’s brightest offerings.

The writer was a guest of the operators

Rydges South Bank

9 Glenelg St, South Brisbane

Stays from $285 a night

rydges.com

Bacchus Restaurant

9 Glenelg St, South Brisbane

bacchussouthbank.com.au

Luzia, Cirque du Soleil

Under the Big Top next to Royal Queensland Golf Club off Curtin Ave East, Eagle Farm.

Until November 10

Tickets from $84

cirquedusoleil.com/luzia