Review: Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza at the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza 
Royal Albert Hall

Reviewed on Tuesday 6th January 2015

★★★★

Since its birth from humble beginnings in 1984, contemporary circus group Cirque du Soleil has grown into a global phenomenon with no less than 18 productions currently running around the world, including two lucrative residencies in Las Vegas. 

Cirque du Soleil return to Royal Albert Hall next year

It has been confirmed that Cirque du Soleil will return to London next year with KOOZA. Check out pictures of the cast in action below (click image to enlarge).

Running at the Royal Albert Hall from 6th January for a limited engagement, KOOZA is described as "an adrenaline rush of acrobatics in a zany kingdom."

The story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world, KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendour and fragility, presented in a colourful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humour.

Review: Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam

Royal Albert Hall

Reviewed on 7th January 2014

As part of their world tour, Cirque du Soleil have brought Quidam to London for the final time. This amazing production showcases some utterly incredible performers. As I watched act after act, my brain could not digest what I was seeing as all of Cirque du Soleil’s performers are so extraordinarily talented. I didn’t know it was possible for the human body to do such things!

Photo Feature: VIP guests attend opening night of Cirque du Soleil‘s Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil‘s award-winning production of Quidam officially opened at the Royal Albert Hall last night (7th Jan). 

The performance was attended by many VIP guests, including: Arlene Phillips, Beth Tweddle, Brendan Cole, Craig Revel Horwood, Esther Rantzen, Hannah Barrett, Hayley Tamaddon and Nigel Harman. Take a look at pictures of the VIP guests attending the performance below (click on an image to enlarge).

VIP guests also included: Aaron Buckingham, Alex Reynolds, Alex Zane, Amal Fashanu, Amanda Lamb, Amy Willerton, Annabel Giles, Andrew Castle, Ashley James, Brix Smith Start, Camilla Rutherford, Cara Theobold, Dakota Blue Richards, Danielle Lloyd, David Emanuel, David Webb, Denise Pearson, Fay Ripley, Future Kicks, Gail Porter, Gethin Jones, Greg Rutherford, Helen Fospero, Jo Wood, Joanne Page, Karren Brady, Kelly Hoppen, Kimberley Garner, Lisa Snowdon, Mark Foster, Matt Johnson, Natasha Kaplinksy, Nicholas Parsons, Olivia Inge, Ollie Baines, Plum Sykes, Rick Parfitt Jnr, Siobhan Finneran, Sir David Jason, Sir Paul Smith, Stephen Boman, Tamara Ecclestone, Tamera Foster, Tanya Burr and Vanessa White.

Interview: Cirque du Soleil’s Alessandra Gonzalez

Alessandra Gonzalez is currently starring as Zoe in the world tour of Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam which comes to the Royal Albert Hall next year from 4th January until 16th February.

Quidam received its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. Since then the production has toured on five continents and played to over 10 million patrons worldwide. During the run of Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall, Cirque du Soleil will welcome its 3 millionth London patron. 

Prior to joining Cirque du Soleil, Alessandra starred in several musicals in Italy where she is from. Her roles included Satine in Moulin Rouge, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Wendy in Peter Pan. 

Alessandra happened to see a casting call for Zoe in Quidam back in 2010 on Facebook. Following an audition at Cirque du Soleil’s International Headquarters in Montreal she was offered the part (2,000 girls applied for the role) and began performances in 2011.

Alessandra chats to West End Frame about being offered the role, how she felt the first time she saw Quidam and why she’s so excited about bringing the production to London…

Can you tell me a bit about your role, Zoé, in the Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam?

Zoe is a young child who feels neglected by her parents. Like every child she wants to play and find fun in her life. Then a mysterious character, Quidam, appears and brings her to his magical world where she meets John and Target, two companions to share her journey. 

Cirque du Soleil brings award winning production to the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil have announced that they are bringing their award winning production 'Quidam' to London next year. The show will open at the Royal Albert Hall on 7th January 2014 (previews from 4th January) and will run until 9th February 2014. 

Quidam received its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. Since then, the production has toured on five continents and played to over 10 million patrons worldwide. During the run of Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall, Cirque du Soleil will welcome its 3 millionth London patron. In December 2010 Quidam embarked on a new journey, performing the same production in arenas throughout the world.