Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo comes to London

THEATRICS, drama, musicality, and stunts-aplenty, it’s no wonder that Cirque du Soleil is loved globally, and since it’s formation in  the ’80s, it’s grown to become the largest contemporary circus producer in the world, with over 400 million tickets sold in over 400 cities to date.

Over the past forty years, with more than 50 creations, 19 of which are currently being performed, Cirque du Soleil continuously reinvents itself with original shows that are fully immersive, pushing the imagination to the limits – and the shows are brought to life thanks to a whole host of creators, artists, and artisans from various disciplines.

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo. Photograph: Maja Prgomet

Following the sell-out success of Alegria – In A New Light last year, the performers are back in action with Corteo at the Royal Albert Hall. Translating to “cortege” in Italian, this is Cirque du Soleil’s 18th creation and its a joyous affair with a storyline that centres on a procession as imagined by Mauro, The Dreamer Clown.

Expect themes of friendship, solidarity and kindness, and in true CdS style, it’s complete with plenty of acrobats that plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy, spontaneity and mystery. Action packed, there’s aerial acrobatics on chandeliers, rotating platforms, bouncing beds, giant helium balloons, suspended poles, and contortion-like shapes accompanied with a live band that’s visible to the audience.

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo. Photograph: Johan Persson

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo. Photograph: Maja Prgomet

The man at the helm, Daniele Finzi Pasca says, “I used poetry to tell the story of Mauro, a moonlit clown, delicate in his way of moving in a world inhabited by nomads and street performers.” In a troupe that consists of 117, Corteo features 53 artists, and there are more than 175 costumes that are custom-made in Cirque du Soleil’s workshops, envisioned by Costume Designer, Dominique Lemieux. On the the tour Daniele says, “After 10 years of touring under the Grand Chapiteau, Corteo has been adapted to visit arenas worldwide, bringing new creative visions to life.”

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo. Photograph: Johan Persson

The production, which has been seen by over 10 million spectators in 22 countries, is the first Cirque du Soleil show to feature a bilateral stage where the audience is seated face to face; this unique setup allows the audience to both watch the performance and also experience a performer’s view of the crowd – it’s set to be a fantastical feast for the senses.

by Felicity Carter

Corteo will run until the 2nd of March 2025 at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

See more on cirquedusoleil.com.