 
O
By Chuck Rounds
| O, the show
at Bellagio by the renowned
company of Cirque du Soleil,
is playing at the O Theatre.
The show is amazing. It is a
step into the surreal. Basic
elements of water, earth, fire,
and air are mixed and mingled
in a variety of spectacular
performances of dancing, swimming,
acrobatics, and clowning. It
is difficult to say, "the
show is about...," because
the themes and the elements,
and how the performers interact
with these things, are what
the show centers around. The
show is a triumph in exploring
the boundaries of performance
with the elements. |
 |
As soon as you walk
into the theatre, you know that
you are in for a treat. The theatre
is designed in the style of a European
opera house, complete with tiered
balcony seating. The classic architecture
and the beauty of the setting is
a bit of a surprise. It is not what
I was expecting from one of the
most technically challenging and
advanced shows to ever be produced,
but when it comes to Cirque du Soleil,
one often gets the unexpected.
| The name of
the show "O" is a
homonym for the French word,
"eau," which means,
"water." The central
element of the set is a large
pool built into the stage. The
pool contains more than 1.5
million gallons of water and
reaches a depth of 25 feet.
Within the pool there are several
stages which emerge from the
water to form a variety of differently
shaped conventional stages.
From the sea, to the land, to
the air; the stages and the
settings inspire the imagination.
|
 |
Then, of course,
there are the performers. These
inspired artists have the ability
to create magic with their movements--whether
it be simplistic or fantastic. The
performers have not only mastered
their arts, but they are able to
make that connection with the audience
beyond the proscenium and are able
to touch us and move us.
There are always
multiple things to watch on the
stage. Pictures and images are continually
being created and recreated. One
act flows into the next. The time
seems to slip by very easily, and
in what seems to be only a few mo
ments, the show has ended.
The only unfortunate
aspect about "O" is the
cost: $90. - $110. per ticket. The
expense of the ticket limits average
families and individuals from being
able to see the show. It is just
too expensive. The production isn't
hurting for audiences. On the contrary,
they are sold out every night. I
think that it would just be nice
if people of lessor means could
see the show as well.
O is an amazing
show. On the one hand, it tests
our concepts of what "theatre"
is supposed. On the other hand,
it does what theatre is meant to
do--inspire our imaginations and
touch our hearts.
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