Photo © The Walt Disney Company
It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil. I’ve paraded around about it for years and especially celebrated the Las Vegas Cirque productions like my absolute favorite, Ká. The first Cirque I saw was our very own Cirque at Downtown Disney. La Nouba. It sits in the big white tent building at Downtown Disney’s West Side. It was 2007 and I had no idea what I was in for. Because of that I didn’t appreciate the show to its fullest and kept trying to make out a distinct story instead of enjoying this beautiful piece of performance art for what it is. I almost returned for the 15th anniversary of La Nouba in 2013 but had to send friends to enjoy the show instead at the last minute when I unexpectedly lost my grandmother. This weekend I got to make the grand return I’ve been waiting for when a friend from Experience Kissimmee shared some extra tickets she had with me. I saw La Nouba through the eyes of a girl who gets it now and just wants to enjoy the show. So when you go see your first Cirque du Soleil performance, relax and enjoy the excitement, colors and talent in front of you to get the most out of it.
Of all the Cirque shows I’ve seen, La Nouba is closest to what I consider a traditional circus. Minus the animals, of course. Trapeze, silks, acrobats, clowns and characters paint the gigantic, unpredictable stage in this world class, creative interpretation of a circus. Slightly bazaar and endlessly artsy, sometimes I just don’t know what’s going on story wise in one of these shows and I’m totally fine with it. La Nouba is a great example of that. This time I got lost in the music, lights and suspense of athletic artists taking on daring feats.
The highlight of this show for me is the silk act. Graceful and strong, riveting and beautiful, this aerial ballet is just perfect. There is something majestic about circus arts to me. Since I was little and went to the touring circus shows, I’ve always been intrigued by the tight rope walker, balancing act, etc. Cirque has given these arts a place in the professional theatre. Of course, I also was very fond of the trapeze part of the show. I took some trapeze classes in Orlando once and it went swingingly. I’ve had a great love and appreciation for the art form ever since. The stationary Cirque shows give the performers an amazing playground of a stage. The set will surprise and delight you. If you’re dazzled by circus arts, want to see something different in Orlando or are trying to find the perfect date night adventure, I highly recommend making your way to Cirque du Soleil La Nouba. This would be an excellent addition to any Walt Disney World vacation especially if you make a day out of it and enjoy the dining and shopping at Downtown Disney.
La Nouba is 90 minutes long with no intermission and suitable for all ages.
For tickets and more information visit CirqueduSoleil.com.
Photo by Véronique Vial