Olé! Cirque du Soleil's LUZIA brings the fiesta back to Sydney

Put down the flat white and nobody gets hurt. Well, except for your regular barista, but we’re sure they’ll understand because there’s a different cuppa on the menu this year: Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA is bringing the swinging troupe back to the city, aptly nestled within the Entertainment Quarter’s 2024 edition of the Fringe Festival.

Take a seat, lady, this isn’t the Copacabana!

That’s in Brazil, just a bit South. LUZIA, however, is a love letter to Mexico. More accurately, an envisioned Mexico with breathtakingly colorful cultural references woven through dazzling acrobatics and an unparalleled production that will have even the most demure Sydneysiders rolling their Rs like never before.

You’d have to, after all, if you’re going to muster an impassioned "arriba!"

A fiesta for all the senses

Cirque du Soleil is widely known for its acrobatic performances including hoop diving, juggling, trapeze and aerial stunts, contortion acts, and more, all paired with remarkable stage, sound, and lighting design. It’s no surprise they’ve captivated audiences for decades, but it certainly is surprising how the production has morphed from its small-town roots back in 80s Canada into a global sensation.

While one could chalk it all up to spectacle, Cirque du Soleil’s success has far more heart than just smoke and mirrors with pizzazz. This spirit is on full display in LUZIA, which takes inspiration from Mexico’s culture, traditions, and natural environment to create an imaginary Mexico on stage, under the infamous Big Top - a much underappreciated yet important part of this traveling circus acts’ shows.

Bienvenido de Nuevo, Cirque du Soleil!

Cirque du Soleil, for all its glory, does sometimes falter. Thankfully, more so with reviews than with its actual stage acts. They’re certainly not ones to quit after things don’t go quite right, though - you don’t get to the Cirque du Soleil level of expertise without standing back up no matter how many times you fall and boy do these performers know how to fall, and get back up in style!

After various dalliances with water, LUZIA presents one of the most stunning displays of their technological prowess with a “rain curtain,” a warm yet electrifying shower that takes the already daring acts of the show and elevates it into the realm of absolutely magical that must be seen to be believed.

Oh alright, go on and finish your cup of Joe, but make it quick: Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA will unfurl its tent at The Entertainment Quarter’s Showring on November 24, 2024.