Behind the scenes

I’ve wanted to run away with the Cirque since I was 12 years old. That’s when I first saw Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría at the Royal Albert Hall, back in 1998.

I bought the soundtrack on CD, listened to it over and over again, and learnt every single lyric. Sadly, it became apparent that my circus skills and questionable singing ability probably weren’t quite up to scratch, and so instead the world-renowned circus’ annual visit to London has remained a constant source of joy.

Fresh from a year in Japan, Cirque du Soleil’s most iconic production, Alegría, has returned to the capital. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Alegría: In a New Light is a revival of the immersive and uplifting original show carefully modernised for a 2024 audience, and performed once again at the magnificent Royal Albert Hall. Its residency lasts until 3 March, and much to the delight of both my 12- and 38-year-old self, I was invited backstage to have a look around.

The sight that met me as I stepped into the auditorium took my breath away; firstly, the vast grandeur of an empty Royal Albert Hall is a sight to behold, and at it’s a centre, a troupe of around 12 trapeze artists were soaring through the air, suspended at a vertigo-inducing 10m above the stage.

“Of all our acts, the Flying Trapeze trains the most because there are so many different elements to it. We perform the show ten times a week, so this training time is just to make sure that the routine is in their bodies and that everything feels right. This act is all about timing,” explains Cirque du Soleil publicist, Francis Jalbert….

Continued here. Published January 2024 on Essential Surrey & SW London