It’s no easy feat to introduce a new act into a massive stage production like Cirque du Soleil’s action-packed KÀ. Out of all Cirque’s Las Vegas shows, the one that’s been in residency at MGM Grand for more than 15 years is perhaps the most precisely structured and choreographed, famous for the moving stage that offers the foundation for an amazing array of acrobatic stunts and over-the-top adventure.

Photo by: Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

But the creative artists behind this show know it’s important to refresh things every so often. That’s what they’ve done with the recent arrival of Icarian Games, an act consisting of two pairs of foot-juggling acrobats from Ethiopia. It’s a truly unique presentation that makes KÀ an even more memorable experience.

“We had a pretty aggressive deadline with (the cast) and coaches to not only create the act in KÀ but making sure it was the right integration from a storyline perspective,” said Kati Renaud, the show’s senior artistic director. “The beginning of the show has to make sense and it can’t be an act that appears out of nowhere. Obviously it’s a big show to integrate new artists and we want to make sure the artists don’t feel rushed.”

The performers first arrived in Las Vegas at the end of the summer and just five weeks later, Icarian Games was part of the show’s already daring opening sequence. These two duos take the stage as the royal family of KÀ is being introduced and entertained by demonstrations of martial arts styles Wu-shu and Brazilian Capoeira. One partner acts as the base, catapulting the other with his hands and feet and creating a fast and furious acrobatic phenomenon that must be seen to be believed.

“They’re all very polished performers. Their acts are very impressive,” said Rob Dawson, the show’s head coach. “We took the skills they did, we mash it to the music, we mash it to the stage and just let them do their thing.”

“It was a proud moment for us welcoming this beautiful act into the show, and it was also a proud moment for them,” added Renaud. “It’s a real testament of their work ethic and how we work together as a team, coming together and feeling passionate about making the show better and touching our audiences.”

Photo by: Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

It’s a brief but thrilling addition to KÀ, which continues to set the standard in its genre on the Strip. The big scenes really resonate because the action is heightened by the constant back-and-forth in the plot, peaks and valleys of cinematic battles juxtaposed with quiet, intimate moments. For example, when the daughter of the seemingly villainous chief archer frees the heroic twin brother and then performs a beautiful baton act—a single small and colorful character alone on a vast, dark stage—the audience is mesmerized by her intricate, agile movements. It’s a peaceful moment compared to an earlier sequence where four frantic heroes are being pursued and attacked by a group of archers, climbing, flipping and spinning across a stage that’s rotating at a 45-degree angle.

It’s easily one of the most remarkable single scenes in the history of shows on the Strip, and it’s one you’ll wish you could watch over and over again.