Cirque du Soleil, the world-renowned circus, has made its way to Korea to begin its world tour of Alegria, a magical show full of acts that must be seen to be believed. Alegria is a circus show that was first launched in 1994, and its music is some of the most famous in Cirque du Soleil’s portfolio. The show follows its main protagonist, Mr. Fleur, and his clumsy attempt to rise to power following the mysterious disappearance of the previous king. The music is haunting and emotional, although the language it is sung in is unclear to viewers. Rather than simply English or Korean, Cirque du Soleil exists in a space in-between with its use of *Cirquish*, a made-up language accessible to all.

During the show, viewers can expect to see amazing feats such as men playing with fire, acrobats balancing on thin poles high in the air, trapeze artists launching themselves into the air, and much more. Between the bombastic acts, a pair of clowns in aristocratic garb fumble their way onto the stage to keep the crowd entertained and interact with them by speaking a few basic words in Korean. The entire circus cast offers something new to see, and there is not a dull moment to be had.

Performing in front of a foreboding castle-like set, the different acts are accompanied by live singing and a band, adding to the atmosphere of mysticism and intrigue. The opening number, appropriately named Alegria, immediately causes goosebumps as the soaring notes coincide with aerial acts, flips, and twists that make members of the audience grasp their chests and sit on the edge of their seats in awe. The story is easy to understand from the start; a power-hungry character attempts to become king and is then trapped between his love of charming others and his insatiable desire for higher social status. His journey is both humorous and a cautionary tale, as the world of Alegria quickly falls into disarray.

A Tale of Power

Throughout the show, the story of authority and struggle echoes in every act. With the use of light and darkness, sometimes in a very literal sense, the performers manage to challenge the audience and portray their narrative in a captivating manner, especially when singers wearing black and white take the stage. The Singer in Black and the Singer in White work together to deliver a complete performance that provides balance. The Singer in Black sings powerfully and deeply, contrasting with the Singer in White, who uses lilting tones and conveys a gentleness otherwise missing from the melody. The combination of their voices reflects the struggles of protagonist Mr. Fleur, adding another profound dimension to the visual acts and tricks. As the protagonist struggles to balance his newfound status and his humanity, the songs soar and fall along with the aerial acts and summersaults.

The power of Alegria resonates with audiences of all ages, and this is clearly seen in the ensemble as they carry out unbelievable gravity-defying acts. When men begin using the stage as a trampoline to flip and twist in mid-air, the spectators can feel their strength and literal power surging through them just from a glance, with gasps heard all around. Even the comedic relief of the clowns carries a certain power, as can be seen in the particularly exciting fight during a snowstorm right before the show’s intermission. Confetti swirls around as the music swells, and the strength of the wind is felt by all those sitting in the circus tent.

Evergreen Struggles

Alegria also explores the relationship between youth and old age. The aristocratic yet cartoonish characters saunter around the stage in ridiculous outfits, chasing only what will benefit them and keep them relevant with an elevated social standing. In stark contrast to the absurdly dressed aristocrats are the nymphs, winged creatures symbolizing youth and purity. Their delicate performance and dance are in direct opposition to the domineering aristocrats, further exemplifying the difference between the new and the old. These nymphs also reflect the inner struggle of Mr. Fleur through dance and help the audience to better understand the discord in his mind.

From every possible angle in the circus tent, audience members can see the detail and care put into the show, which remains enjoyable without any knowledge of its themes or characters. Even first-time circus visitors can truly immerse themselves in the world of Algeria; attendees who know nothing of the characters or concepts before coming are still amazed by the otherworldly acts, regardless of the section they are in.

is true what they say- there is no bad seat in Cirque du Soleil.

Performance Information

Title: Alegria in a New Light

Venue: Under the Big Top, Jamsil Stadium 

Date: October 20, 2022 to January 1, 2023

Running Time: 125 minutes

Ticket Price: B seat 70,000 / A seat 90,000 (Prince range from 70,000 to 290,000)