This show is like life itself. You know it has to end, but you wish it won’t.
It vaguely draws on the storyline of “Alice in Wonderland”, in that the artists are named after the characters in that classic children’s story. However, the greater connection is that the performances bring about a Wonderland!
The show is an enthralling combination of true artists performing feats of breath-catching athleticism that the human body was simply not designed for, accompanied by mood- shaping lighting and well-chosen classical music.
It opens with a gifted violinist, Raphael Papo [“the White Rabbit”] playing Hungarian Czardas music, followed by Layla Schillert, as Alice, who has a stirring voice and who makes a spectacular entry into Wonderland. Other truly marvellous performers include an amazing acrobatic duo, Temesgen Zada and Leul Ashebir [“Tweedledum and Tweedledee”], and the dazzling aerial displays of Vladyslav Tsarov plus, as the “Flamingos”, Anna Stelmakh and Evgenii Slepukhin.
Special mention must be made, however, of “The Mad Hatter”, Paul Dabek, who appeared in both halves of the show. Blessed with many talents-he is a first-class comic, magician, raconteur and shadow puppeteer- he lifted an already heady show to new heights of delight.
Full credit must also be given to the design and production teams, as well as the dancers, for helping to create a performance that never falters. Indeed, such is its excellence that on its opening night it deserved, and received, a full house standing ovation!
Even the concluding segment is uplifting [albeit somewhat at odds with the “Alice” theme]- a presentation of the entire cast to the rousing beat of the Can Can.
This reviewer has no hesitation in awarding the production of “Cirque Alice”– four and a half stars!
Dr Ron Desiatnik
