Alex: Cirque’s Varekai ‘a fantastic journey’

Cirque du Soleil has returned to Hamilton with another spectacular production.

In the the language of the Gypsies, ‘varekai’ means ‘whatever.’ And that gives Cirque du Soleil the range it needs for it’s fanciful retelling of the plight of Icarus, the young man who flew too close to the sun.

This Cirque begins with his fall into a magical forest inhabited by mystical creatures. So begins a fantastic journey that celebrates the nomadic soul, the spirit, and art of the circus tradition.

We admire the artists who apparently defy gravity and even death with a display of breathtaking skills, assaulting the human body with seemingly impossible contortions. An international cast of fifty performing clowns, jesters, aerial artists and musicians join in a sublime, hold-your-breath pageant that shakes the senses.

One need not dwell on the whys and wherefores of the saga; just let the mind wander and the eyes behold the wonders of a realm created by Cirque du Soleil.

Eeconfigured from the company’s original big top staging to an arena facility, Varekai retains its characteristic uniqueness, blending super gymnastics and hilarity, while we mere mortals admire the complexity and difficulty of the demonstrated acrobatics. We’re left to scratch our heads and wonder, how is that possible?

This Cirque du Soleil spectacular continues at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum through February 2nd.