Cirque du Soleil returns to its roots with KOOZA
This article was updated on May 26, 2022.
Montréal is North America’s circus hub, and Cirque du Soleil is one of the artform's crown jewels. A cornerstone of the city’s world-renowned creative je ne sais quoi, Cirque du Soleil’s local reputation is so ingrained that locals refer to it simply as “Cirque”. And in spring 2022, our beloved Cirque is returning to its foundational roots in clowning and acrobatics with their latest show KOOZA.
An immersive story
Following the journey of The Innocent through a world of characters including the Trickster, the Obnoxious Tourist and the King in search of their rightful place in the world, KOOZA blends eye-popping immersive stage sets with awe-inspiring acrobatic feats of derring-do and contortion. Featuring straps, hoops, high wire, soaring acrobats, unicycle and the wheel of death, audiences are guaranteed an unforgettable tribute to the skills and artistry of circus performers at the top of their craft. A truly human story, KOOZA also pays loving tribute to the warm traditions of clowning, all under Cirque’s epic Big Top in the Old Port of Montréal. The latest in a long line of world-renowned circus productions, KOOZA is sure to take its rightful place in the pantheon of Cirque du Soleil’s greatest accomplishments.
A summer spectacle under the big top
Inspired by the Sanskrit word for box (koza), Cirque’s latest promises an infinite box of surprises in one of the summer’s biggest spectacles where the team behind the scenes is just as exciting as the acrobats on-stage. Drawing inspiration from equal parts Klimt and Mad Max, The Wizard of Oz and marching bands, costume designer Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt created over 1,000 custom made items for the show’s performers. Inspired by traditional Indian music and 1970s funk, Jean-François Côté’s score ranges from small ensembles to full-blown orchestrations. Stéphane Roy’s set design features large-scale moving parts and brightly decorated multi-tiered stages sure to thrill the senses while simultaneously paying homage to the circus tent and 19th century lighting effects. The true definition of a destination performance, KOOZA makes for a perfect exclamation point on a summer jaunt, ideal for the whole family. Tickets and special packages are available now!
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, an internationally-touring musician with his projects Woodpigeon and Frontperson and a graduate studies student of history researching LGBTQ+ activism in the city. He’s lived in Montréal since 2015, during which time he’s most often spotted atop a BIXI bike usally running a few minutes late.