Cirque Du Soleil is back in London with its show Ovo, running at the Royal Albert Hall until 4 March 2018. Has it managed to wow the critics?
The Guardian: ★★ “But the context is dispiriting and the industrial scale of the whole ultimately distancing. Ovo is a throwback. New circus has moved on.”
The Daily Mail: ★★★ “Ovo has enough ‘Ooh, look, mummy’ moments to keep you gawping. But it is certainly no breakthrough for this increasingly predictable global circus brand.”
Musical Manda: ★★★★ “It felt very similar to other Cirque du Soleil shows and perhaps lacked originality. However, this insect-inspired production will no doubt attract fans of Cirque du Soleil and would also be a fantastic way to introduce families and children of all ages to the spectacle of the circus.”
Time Out: ★★ “If only the basic formula didn’t essentially adhere to that of every other Cirque du Soleil tour to rock up here in the last decade. The insect concept is promising, but ‘Ovo’ swats away any hint of risk.”
The Stage: ★★★ “Choreographer/director Deborah Colker directs with plenty of zip although her inter-act dance sequences are woefully lacking in character or invention.”
The Telegraph: ★★★★ “Very clever, very droll and just what the winter requires: quelle joie to find a Cirque show that banishes the usual bugbears.”
Evening Standard: ★★★ “More warmth and wit wouldn’t go amiss. But this is still a celebration of the wonder of movement, and the performers twirl and tumble gloriously.”
London Theatre.co.uk: ★★★ “A lot of the show feels padded – not least the insufferable ‘clown’ act. As much as I’m always gobsmacked by the talent on offer, the packaging nowadays feels so joyless and pointless.”
British Theatre.com: ★★★★★ “The only problem with Ovo by Cirque Du Soleil is that it all looks so easy. So talented and skilled are these performers that it looks effortless. Don’t be fooled though it’s not!”
Express: “Sure, the storyline is slim at best, but after some previous offerings with loftier ambitions, this is rather a relief.”
The Times: ★★★★ “It’s as warm as it is slick and ranks as one of the best-designed extravaganzas in Cirque’s huge body of works.”
Reviews Hub: ★★★★ ”When a show takes as much care as this to ensure every minute is as entertaining as possible, Cirque du Soleil is onto a winner.”
West End Wilma: ★★★★★ “If you want a fantastic, magical evening, Cirque Du Soleil’s Ovo at the Royal Albert Hall is the perfect ticket for you.”
The Upcoming: ★★★ “Offers a quintessential Cirque du Spectacle as well as providing entertainment through panto-like acts, so it’s a solid entry point for younger audiences to have their first Cirque du Soleil experience.”
Broadway World: ★★★★★ “Do not come to the show expecting to see detailed narrative, but as a piece of performance theatre, it is virtually flawless and a joy to watch.”
Metro: ★★★★ “Cirque du Soleil on a downer? No way, with Ovo they’ve cracked it again.”
