It’s hard to believe that Cirque du Soleil is celebrating the silver anniversary of “O”, its second production to open in Las Vegas. The splashy spectacular at Bellagio was revolutionary a quarter-century ago, the next step in the Cirque approach to entertainment, which was established on the Strip five years earlier at Treasure Island with Mystère. Late director Franco Dragone drew on the liquid of life as a theme to innovate and expand on aesthetics and possibilities.
Whether returning or attending for the first time, there is no better way to see the show than La Grande Experience. There may be other VIP experiences, but none seat you in an exclusive suite with the same view from which the creators gazed at the stage as they developed their concept. Up to four people share space comfortably with a panoramic vista and five speakers generating maximal dynamic sonic ambience.
For the Experiencers, the evening starts preshow in a backstage lounge where champagne is served with a selection of light bites that, before the last 7 p.m. Saturday performance of September, included servings of fruit, nuts, prosciutto and cheese. Host Jordyn gave background on the show to a small party that included a family of three who had enjoyed the show sufficiently enough in the past to return for a special young lady’s 12th birthday.
As Jordyn explained along with a video presentation, the title of the show is derived from the French word for water, “eau.” Some cast members, four of whom would shortly enter the lounge for a meet-and-greet and photos, would need specialized skills in swimming, diving and other feats that could require a degree of submersion as well as skills with fire and whips.
Cast members come from far-flung places such as Mongolia, Russia and Great Britain. La Grande Experience allows them to relate what it’s like to be a part of the show with its fast pace and multiple costume changes. A photo opportunity with the costumed Cirque performers concludes the meet-and-greet before they prepare for curtain call.
Ostensibly about the journey of Sicilian boy Guifà through a magical realm under the guidance of ghostly theater manager Eugen, the abstract storyline need not be followed for the show to be accessible due to acts such as an aerial hoops segment that represents the hydrological relationship between surface water and sky.
Eight world-class acrobats express grace and strength on a floating barge. A steel-framed ship is constructed to combine the traditional circus discipline of the aerial cradle with gymnastic parallel bars. Contortionists descend from the rafters to interpret the beauty of the human form through body language. Trapeze artists and synchronized swimmers enable expression above and below water, while high divers plunge 60 feet into a small exposed area of the pool.
Then there are clowns, of course, as well awe-inspiring stage production where center-stage is alternately a dry surface and a body of water. It’s an amazing show from any sightline in the house, but for the ultimate “O” memory, La Grande Experience will not disappoint.
Bellagio, 702.693.7068
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