After the success of Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia in 2024, the Canadian circus masters are back with the Australian premiere of Corteo
It’s hard to believe that Cirque du Soleil has created more than 50 shows to stun audiences around the world since the Canadian company was formed in 1984. And many of those shows, like Corteo, have never been to Australia. This September, Cirque brings Corteo to Sydney for the first time, with a show that really goes back to the circus roots, with Mauro the Dreamer Clown as the star.
The show premiered in 2005, so we have been waiting a long time to see the fantasy world of clown Mauro, who in a dream-like state thinks he is watching his own funeral corteo, the Italian word for cortege – funeral procession. Mauro goes on a journey, seeing friends pay tribute to him in a world which seems to be between heaven and earth.
“My grandfather always used to say, ‘Life is like riding a bicycle,’” Mauro says. “If you go too fast, you’ll get too tired and have to stop. If you go too slowly, you’ll lose your balance. Find the right pace, Mauro.’”
Lustre artist Kristi Wade is the only Australian performer in Corteo and has a feature role in the start of the show, swinging from giant chandeliers as one of Mauro’s four former lovers. These are no ordinary lights, adorned with 4,000 sparkling jewels which mesmerise Mauro as the aerial acrobats perform incredible tricks above his bed as the chandeliers spin.
“Everybody can relate to this show,” says Kristi. “It’s very moving and very poetic. It’s also fun and it’s a celebration.”
There is nothing to catch the four acrobats as they hang off the spinning chandeliers by their feet and hands, performing all the incredible feats we have come to expect from Cirque shows. Simply stunning.
Kristi (left) says everyone can relate to Corteo
Giant Cyr wheels which spin with their artist, a ‘marionette’ who incredibly controls dozens of strings, and acrobats who seem to fly to the sky when pushed up on a bendy teeterboard are just some of the sights in store. There is also the Clowness who defies gravity and floats over the stage with helium balloons. “My favourite moment is the lady that we have fly under the balloons (the Clowness),” says Kristi. “It’s unique to Corteo, it’s very special. You can interact with her and you can push her by her feet.”
One of the unique aspects of Corteo is that it features a ‘bilateral stage’ where the audience faces each other. This gives a distinctive perspective to the viewer, seeing things also from the performer’s viewpoint.
You are always guaranteed the spectacular when you see a Cirque show, and the roll drop curtains are like a work of art, depicting cherubs flying around couples who dance, hand-painted in France.
“Corteo is a celebration that tells the story of friendship and the joy of dreaming together,” says director Daniele Finzi Pasca. “It is a show deeply dedicated to circus.” Corteo was Daniele’s first ever Cirque show (number 17 for the company), and he also produced the stunning water piece, Luzia.
So come along and dream with Mauro and his friends as they celebrate kindness and humanity in a unique setting.