‘Cirque Dreams’
Robinson Center
Nov. 14

I don’t know what it’s like to have a bad LSD trip, but after seeing “Cirque Dreams” on Monday I have a pretty clear idea. The agile and athletic performers could not make up enough stunts to compensate for the lack of coherence on stage.

Unlike those of similar theater/acrobat touring companies such as Cirque du Soleil, this group’s performance did not have a unifying theme or a plot line. Throughout the show I kept asking myself, “What is going on and how many times are these gymnasts going to jump between each other’s legs?”

Advertisement

The characters bumbled about, unmotivated in their use of gesture and movement. The dance numbers were simply a choppy sequence of yoga, lyrical ballet and acrobatics, and at times I wondered if I was watching a high school dance team. The audience was forced to endure an insufferable series of laughable songs by a character who appeared to emulate the Chiquita banana lady.

The most disappointing aspect of “Cirque Dreams” was its effort to break down the barrier between the performer and spectator. Cirque du Soleil knows how to do this and make it funny for all; not “Cirque Dreams,” however. A few victims were chosen to engage in activity that reduced them to mere fools. The audience was compelled to laugh at fellow ticket-holders shaking their asses and ringing bells. At one point a jester/alien-type character conducted several audience members in ringing bells as background music slowly swelled. Was this to evoke some sort of impulse to shout for joy and forget about a corrupt government, disease and hunger because we are triumphant human beings who can ring bells at once? The act exceeded the worst form of escapist art.

Advertisement

Shame on you, Celebrity Attractions, for numbing the minds of Arkansans with this weak production.

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Go Get It Next article Orval Nov. 24