Cirque du Soleil is known for pushing the limits with its breathtaking shows, and they never fail to amaze us with their unique blend of acrobatics and theatre. In Cirque du Soleil’s latest show, CRYSTAL, they try something never done before by combining ice skating with acrobatics.
In CRYSTAL, gymnasts and skaters perform acrobatics on the ice and in the air. The show features synchronized skating, freestyle figures, and extreme skating alongside acrobatic performances like a swinging trapeze, aerial straps, and hand to hand.
The show centers around a young woman, Crystal, who feels misunderstood and out of sync with herself. To escape her reality, she ventures out on a frozen pond and falls through the ice into an upside-down world. She learns how to bring her imagination to life in this new world, which she uses to bring excitement to some of the mundane aspects of life. In one scene, Crystal uses her imagination to transform a regular day in the office into an amazing hand balancing act.
I’m especially excited to see the Pendular Poles act, which is a first for Cirque du Soleil. The artists swing from the giant poles attached to the ceiling, and the act combines synchro pole work, pole-to-pole jumps, and Russian-swing-style dismounts. It sounds amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing it in person.
Cirque du Soleil performances are always fun for the entire family. CRYSTAL will be performed at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA, with multiple shows Wednesday, April 10 – Sunday, April 14. Tickets are priced from $52-$118.
Photo credit: Matt Beard / Costumes: Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt / 2018 Cirque du Soleil
