Review: Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO at the AO Arena is ‘an acrobatic, Jean Paul Gaultier-inspired marvel’

Do you remember lifting a brick in your garden when you were a child and being wowed by what was crawling underneath?  Ants, woodlice, and worms would jostle for your attention. There was a whole world of wonder outside in your backyard. It was a great deal cheaper than flying out to David Attenborough’s documentary destinations.

Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO at the AO Arena

Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO is described by the promoters as a “headlong rush into a colourful ecosystem teaming with life.”

It is exactly this, but life-sized, well, actually, arena super-sized, and slightly more bonkers than anything you might find underneath your dad’s brick barbecue.

If you’ve seen a Cirque Du Soleil show before, you kind of know what to expect.

Old style clowning around

Clowning around is used to fill in set changes and gaps in the narrative and the slapstick is reminiscent of silent movies and old-style Bouffon clowning.

It is all very French, quirky and a beautiful sight to behold. And if you do get bored during some of the clowning skits or musical numbers, there is always something death-defying being set up for the thrill seekers.

Very French, quirky and beautiful

Tickets are not cheap but you do get bang for your buck as the show features fifty acrobatic performers from 17 countries.

My favourite was a carnival of crazy crickets. Just watching their marvellous moves was exhausting.

This is definitely not one of those shows where you find yourself saying: “Pah, I could do that!”

Trapeze acts

The trapeze acts scale the heights of the arena. In one scene they jump back up the wall they have just jumped from. Seeing is believing, as they say. 14m high yet the performers are completely fearless, bouncing around with ease and dexterity.

The three clowns who fill the gaps between acts speak gobbledygook and for the most part these sections are completely nonsensical. But there is something familiar and old school about this mainly silent comedy.

Comedy that speaks a universal language

It appeals to everyone from toddlers to grannies as it relies on a universal language – slapstick comedy. And for the most part it works wonderfully well.

It jars a bit after the third appearance but there are some lovely audience participation moments and if you’re lucky enough to sit on the floor, these clowns are amongst you.

What you really appreciate as you sit in awe of this huge bug-filled extravaganza is the skill involved and the artistry.

Skill and artistry

This is a variety show with a difference, from the Jean Paul Gaultier-style costumes beautifully designed by Liz Vandal through to the superb sound design and the high-flying trapeze artists and gifted comedy acts, and the moments of pure beauty and stillness.

Tickets for Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO at the AO Arena

Sure, you will find more about bugs in your back garden and a ladybird book. But where else can you see crickets with detachable legs, a 30m trapeze net designed for giant bugs to jump for your love, and a mysterious OVO (egg in Portuguese) which may crack open in time for Easter?

Cirque Do Soleil’s OVO is at the AO Arena until 31st March and can be booked here.