Quidam

According to the press release, Quidam "weaves the story of a young girl who has seen it all and for whom the world now holds little meaning. Her anger shatters her existence and she finds herself in the universe of the Quidam show." Maybe so. But anyone who has ever seen a live Cirque du Soleil performance--and I've had the immense pleasure of experiencing Mystere, La Nouba and O--knows darn well that "story" is not what this Montreal-based circus theatre troupe (which has played to some 18 million theatergoers around the world during the past 15 years) is all about. Sensual, sinister, inspiring, breathtaking, the atmospheric world of Quidam brims over with astounding acts: a woman draped in red curtains far above the stage performs a sinuously seductive ballet, a strongman and strongwoman create unbelievable human sculptures as they balance atop and opposite one another, a quartet of Asian girls whose juggling and acrobatic work bring tears to wonderstruck eyes, the sights and sounds of Quidam immerse the viewer in a world of superhuman--yet extraordinarily graceful--feats. Watching Quidam on video is not the same as seeing a Cirque performance live, but the multi-camerawork does offer unusual angles and close-up perspectives unavailable to the theatergoing audience. With the added benefit of a $22.95 ticket price (as compared to $50-$100 seat prices for the stage shows), Quidam will bring the world of Cirque du Soleil to a whole new audience. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)