It has taken more than two decades for this Cirque du Soleil show to make it to Australia

It has taken more than two decades for this Cirque du Soleil show to make it to Australia. This is why.

A Cirque du Soleil show that has taken more than two decades to get here is finally ready to dazzle Australian audiences.

Tickets are on sale now for Corteo, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, ahead of the national run of shows kicking off in Perth on August 8 before dates in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Cirque du Soleil is bringing new show Corteo to Australia. Picture: Supplied

Corteo has wowed up to 12 million people in 30 countries over four continents with 2025 marking the 21st birthday of the acclaimed production.

“Corteo is a real celebration of life that blends comedy and never-seen-before acrobatics into a unique staging arrangement,” Cirque du Soleil’s Mike Newquist said.

“Australians who fell in love with the breathtaking artistry and storytelling of Luzia will be equally captivated by Corteo.”

The production follows the hugely successful tour of Cirque’s Luzia, which was coincidentally also directed by Pasca.

Corteo tells the story of Mauro, a clown, who pictures his own carnival style funeral procession taking place as caring angels watch over him.

Cirque du Soleil's Corteo being performed on stage. Costumes: Dominique Lemieux. Picture: Johan Persson

It is an upbeat celebration of a colourful life, highlighting the strength and fragility of the clown as well as his wisdom and kindness.

The onstage cast is 53-strong with the travelling show taking 500 road cases and 117 people in total around the world.

It is Cirque’s first show where the stage is central in the arena and divides the venue in half with audiences on each side facing each other.

In Sydney, Corteo will play Qudos Bank Arena from September 4 to 7 with tickets on sale now via Ticketek.

Originally published as It has taken more than two decades for this Cirque du Soleil show to make it to Australia