THE circus is in town - with Cirque de Soleil's Quidam at Sheffield Arena until Sunday, April 12, 2009. Read our first night review and watch our behind the scenes video.
Click the green button to see Cirque Du Soleil's amazing acrobats rehearsing backstage as Quidam Artistic Director Sean McKeown talks about the spectacular show to Digital Editor Graham Walker.
Review: Cirque Du Soleil's Quidam at Sheffield ArenaThursday, April 9, 2009.
by Nancy Fielder
HOW do they do that?
The ultra bendy and death-defyingly-daring Cirque Du Soleil cast a magical spell over their audience with stunts that really have to be seen to be believed.
On their first night at Sheffield Arena the international cast struck poses and performed stunts that should be physically impossible.
But while they may have become renowned across the world for their flexible skills, South Yorkshire was treated to something unique - with the combination of clown Toto Castineiras and local humour.
Audience participation is key to all the clown's performances so unsuspecting visitors were transformed into a bum-scratching director, a scorned Romeo, and romantic lover.
The more ridiculous the impromptu acting became, the more the audience howled in delight.
It was a welcome break from the gasps and sharp intakes of breath that accompanied the most extreme acrobatics manoeuvres in Quidam.
The performers threw themselves in the air, twisted and turned then landed on nothing more than two pairs of outstretched hands.
Props as simple as skipping ropes and diabolos were used as centrepieces for displays so impressive the audience was unsure where to look next.
The diabolos whizzed through the air as a team of four young girls performed leaps and cartwheels - never failing to make that all-important catch.
There were aerial hoops, a German wheel, Spanish webs and aerial contortion in silk, as well as a constant backdrop of live music and colourful charades.
Every inch of the stage and large areas far above it were used to full effect but the Arena's seats were far from full.
The credit crunch may have put many families off a pricey night out but those who still have some spare cash were whisked far away from their problems and into a world where nothing is impossible - for a couple of hours at least.
For photographs and more see The Star Friday, April 10, 2009.
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