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Cirque du Soleil: Corteo on Tour
Like the deceased clown whose festive fantasy funeral it portrays, Corteo has risen again to assume its joyful place in the Cirque du Soleil solar system.
One of some 20 active Cirque du Soleil shows, Corteo closed its "Grand Chapiteau" – or "big tent" – run in Quito, Ecuador, in December 2015 after more than 3,500 performances seen by more than 5 million people since its Montreal premiere a decade earlier. In 2018, Corteo reopened in New Orleans as an even bigger and better arena experience slated for a two-year tour.
If you love clowns, Corteo is the show for you. Taking its title from the Italian word for "cortège," or procession, Corteo offers a parade of brilliant entertainments in a carnivalesque atmosphere. It was inspired originally by "The Grand Parade: Portrait of the Artist as Clown," a 2004 exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada.
That exhibition's vast array of circus life, from 18th-century fairgrounds to Picasso's harlequins, was transformed into an in-the-round big-top experience by director Daniele Finzi Pasca. Pasca founded the Swiss clown troupe Teatro Sunil and directed several other Cirque du Soleil spectacles.
While all of the show's principal characters are clowns – including the Dead Clown, Clowness, Giant Clown, and Little Clown – the 62-member cast, from more than a dozen countries, also features aerialists, acrobats, musicians, jugglers, contortionists, hoopers, and gymnasts in addition to its many jubilant jesters.
Costume designer Dominique Lemieux was inspired by "raw and luxurious" European fabrics from the early 20th century and commedia dell'arte characters from the 16th to the 18th centuries. A labyrinth matching one on the floor of France's famed Chartres Cathedral graces the stage. And French painter Adolphe Willette's fantasy Parisian bohemian scene Parc Domine (1885) inspired the show's elaborate water-colored curtains. Those curtains hide "Patience," an imposing overhead structure holding up the rails traversed by four platform carts.
Its stunning mixture of acrobatics and character-driven acting has been Cirque du Soleil's calling card since 1984, when what is now the world's largest theatrical production was founded in Montreal by street performers Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix. With Corteo, Cirque du Soleil has outdone itself with an epic tribute to the circus world's comical essence: the clown.
Corteo not only trapped you in a clever plot, it did so with minimal technological assistance. Simple circus tricks paved the mystic atmosphere into a great show for any family. Highly recommended if it comes to your city.
Took the whole immediate family and grandchildren to Cirque in New Orleans. The Corteo talent and athleticism of the cast was unbelievable. Great production, exceptionally well done. If you have the opportunity, you need to see "Corteo"!! You won't regret it!
The mastery of each performers' skill level was so impressive; anyone can see their dedication to their talent and trade. They were magnificent! I look forward to seeing what they have in store for us next time and what the theme will be. So exhilarating!!!
Amazing show!!! My favorite one so far! Must see!!!
Not the best show we've seen the Cirque Del Soleil, but well worth the time and money! My wife and I enjoyed the performance very much!
There are few truly family friendly entertainment these days but this show fills that bill. I just wished that the show had been in English so I could have understood each scene. But over all this company is full of great talent that can hold you to the edge of your seat.
I loved everything about the show! This is my 7th Cirque show, but it never gets old. Just amazing!
The show was entertaining. If you are used to the shows of Las Vegas, then this one was ok. Since it’s a touring show. But very nice. Just the smoothie center was a really bad venue, especially because of all the people who work there. The security guards were so aggressive and not polite at all. We are not criminals to be treated like that. We paid to go watch a show not to be mistreated.
Took the family and had a great time. The performance was beautiful. The story was intriguing. My kids sat on the edge of the seats. Wonderful experience that we would do again
The combination of music, costumes, aerial work, acrobats, humor, and the story were just magnificent. Thoroughly enjoyed the show. Was not ready for it to end.
Humorous, excellent music, crowd interaction, brilliant performance. Everything one might expect and hope for. A truly wonderful evening and experience.
Cirque Du Soleil Corteo was great! Music, effects and acrobatics were fantastic!!!
The show was good but if you had no idea what the storyline was before attending, you would have trouble understanding what was going on. A clown's funeral??? There is no clear message that this is what is happening. The acts are mixed in with the brief sketches where the clown appears on stage to act out with some of the cast. Angels continue to fly around, apparently to give you the message that this is a view from heaven?? The cirque acts are good as usual but are overshadowed by the weak performance by the clown. The worst part is the sketch near the end where young Romeo and Juliet have a skit. I still don't understand what the point was, even after discussing it with my wife. It's way to long and boring. I've seen many Cirque shows and this is the worst I have seen. Save your money.
I’ve wanted to see Cirque du Soleil forever and they did not disappoint! I’m looking forward to the next show that comes to our area so that I can see them again!
Professional and entertaining. My 10th crique . Will continue to support
The show was awesome. Loved the way the stage was set up.