Cirque Éloize, Amsterdam

Last week I was invited to the press opening of iD, Jeannot Painchaud’s fabulous Cirque Éloize extravaganza. The show is a mix of circus arts and urban dance, brought to life by a talented and energetic cast. The show was at The Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam, which was actually built in 1887 to be a full-time circus building!The theater now houses plays and musicals, but acrobats and tightrope walkers are still part of the theatre’s regular programming.We were ushered into a large, red seating area, and asked to sit wherever we fancied.We put our belongings down in the front row, and were then treated to a sneak peek back stage. The energy was buzzing, while the cast conducted final preparations and the crew scurried around, readying the set. Shortly after we returned to our seats and the show began. I’ve been to a Cirque du Soleil show in the past, and therefore knew to expect a new-era of circus arts. iD featured a rainbow of acrobats, cyclists, jugglers, and gymnasts – men who slung tennis balls by the dozen at walls, twirling and dancing in between, others who bounced on trampolines, running vertically up and down a shifting cityscape. The costumes were bright and lively, and the music, which featured mostly hip-hop, was upbeat and vibrant, inviting the audience to clap and sing along. You can find the ID tour calendar here – the show is in Amsterdam for a few more days, before heading to Foxwoods in the US (which I’ve actually blogged about in the past!!!) I would highly recommend a visit to see iD – it is a modern-day circus, filled with colorful energy and delight. You can find out more about the show here.