Kids in London: Cirque Du Soleil – Totem at The Royal Albert Hall

About five years ago I took a couple of teenagers and a six year old to see Cirque Du Soleil – I can’t remember, but I think it was Dralion – the East meets West show. I remembered being thoroughly entertained and the kids loving it. So I booked tickets to go and see the new show Totem – hoping that the Native Americans on the advertising featured strongly.

The £35 tickets bought us seats up high up in the circle but I remembered that as there was a large amount of aerial acrobatics that this wouldn’t be a problem. I’d probably get a bit closer to the stage if I went again. We were surrounded by all manner of people – couples, families with young kids, grandparents with their little ones. It was a Sunday afternoon at 3pm and we were expectant. The Albert Hall was atmospherically dim with low blue and green lights. On the stage was what looked like a giant turtle, a stunning rippling visual depicting a stream containing lively fish and giant reeds screening some drums.

The opening sequence was breathtaking. A single aerial acrobat – smothered in silver sparkles (I guess representing the moon or a star) descended and joined the colourful tree frog dancers on the turtle frame and bouncing on a trampoline beneath. The gymnastics were awesome and we were spellbound. Then a Native American appeared and generated animal shapes using four hoops.

It cut to a scene with some guys in bathing suits on the beach which raised some laughs and some audience participation. Some more incredible stunts with trapeze type structures. The music shifted from jungle and Native American beats to a more bhangra sound and there was even a bit of break dancing in the routine. Something for everyone.

The koi pond visuals returned and several young girls in Japanese style outfits on tall unicycles rode around the stage in formation juggling little gold bowls between them. Graceful and skilful. Another fun scene emerged with a row boat and fishing and then a volcano scenario with avatar influenced costumes and women spinning cloths on their feet. The drums switched again and there was a rock music element and excellently acted apes shared the stage while some guys performed feats on some rather tall pools. My young companion was biting her nails with excitement.

After an hour there was a 25 minute break to collect ice cream and drinks and we returned with an Italian theme and some larking about evolving into a Spanish bullfight routine. We expected the woman dressed as a flamenco dancer to do a piece but she didn’t. Fun with a water skiing sketch and more of those Native Americans with hoops, acts on roller skates, a rather surprising and sensual gymnastic/dance arrangement with two men and daring feats climbing around on elevated wooden posts. The whole thing was a riot of colour and an explosion of energy and high tension stunts.

Yes, we thoroughly enjoyed it. And I would recommend it for kids of all ages. But I recollect that in the previous show that there was a loose theme/story running through the event and the reappearance of some characters – and this was missing this time. Also, some of the acrobatic acts went on rather longer than expected. Critics might argue that this is really just an upmarket and beautiful choreographed collection of circus acts. But it was high quality entertainment for kids of all ages and grownups. The merchandise was stunning although expensive - the beautiful top at £50 was left on the shelf and we made do with a rather striking mug for £8.