BWW Reviews: Cavalia Returns with a Beautifully Riveting ODYSSEO

Odysseo/conceived and directed by Normand Latourelle/Big White Tent on First Street in Burbank/through March 24

Cavalia has always hit the mark by putting man and horse together in a breathlessly singular way, and now in Odysseo with the beauty of nature as backdrop, they are more in tune than ever. Cirque, equitation and equestrian arts meet once more in a spectacular display!

To say breathless is surely apt, for the view of the enormous 160 foot-wide stage with 37 acrobatic performers and 21 stallions (of a total 60 horses, the other 39 are geldings) moving around in a dazzling display of equestrian and aerial/acrobatic showmanship is just that. There are 11 breeds of horses represented including Spanish Purebred, Arabians and Lusitanos. Aerialists swing from above and horses circle the entire stage as in riding competition, sometimes with rider and other times unbridled, like the Arabian horses with trainer/Sedentaire Elise Verdoncq, who, akin to a horse whisperer who literally talks to the horses, has them moving symmetrically in groups and in perfect unison as they perform a dazzling array of feats.

The men and horses connect, sometimes, even touching, as the aerialists swing down onto the horses and the horses vault over the poles held by the acrobats. It's an amazing sight. Behind the live spectacle is a humongous backdrop that serves as a screen with unbelievably vivid projections of wilderness, woods, ocean and other waterfalls, and castles amongst many other scenes that change and radiate every color of the spectrum. We are transported to the Middle Ages and back even further to primitive times. Latourelle stated that his mission is "to make people dream", and so the audience visually travels to a myriad of virtual settings. Above stage left and right are the musicians and onstage as an integral part of the show is a singer, lovely Anna-Laura Edmiston - also with Alseny Bangoura on some vocals - all of whom perform live. Michel Cusson's score is needless to say hauntingly gorgeous, invoking a sensuality that only comes from an array of international music.

The dream world represented here is exhilarating in scope. And the trust and respect between man and horse, as the horses listen and follow human lead proves a rarely seen compassion and respect. It's one thing for a single horse to respond, but 9 at once and in sync? Incredible artistry! I can only add that the entire panorama is like a museum painting in which all of the elements come passionately alive. You enter it... and just for what seems a fleeting moment... experience its richly wild and perfect beauty.

Odysseo has many fine moments especially the Carusello or rotating carrousel of Act I where aerialists contort on rotating poles, and Act II's grande finale in water Odysseo (at left), before which water literally floods the stage. This entire scenario with activity in, on and above water brought to mind the Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show O at the Bellagio... then add on the horses, of course... it becomes an adventure of super imaginative proportions. Lighting design by Alain Lortie, set design by Guillaume Lord and costumes by Georges Levesque are one-of-a-kind brilliant and add a spectacle of color to Odysseo along with the great sounds of Cusson's musical score. This is a family show, so bring the kids and visit the horses in the stables on the grounds after the show!

http://www.cavalia.net/en/odysseo