Stephane Roy

There are generally two kinds of audiences at Cirque du Soleil shows. The first kind is usually by far the majority: excited, expectant, often slack-jawed at the amazing feats and ready to clap at any opportunity. Then there’s the rest: hesitant chin-rubbers who still hold out hope after seeing one too many over-hyped shows from this billion-dollar company, non-plussed by the standard circus tropes rolled out in the show-specific costumes or staging but quite ready to rave about whatever makes this production genuinely special. Hello, my name is Franco and I’m a Cirque cynic.

Last week in Montreal at the Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products presented a sneak peek of the new Cirque du Soleil resident show set to open at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in spring 2020.

Last week in Montreal at the Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products presented a sneak peek of the new Cirque du Soleil resident show set to open at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in spring 2020.

See enough Cirque du Soleil productions and the formula becomes clear very quickly.  It's a given that you'll be treated to a collection of world-class jugglers, balancers, acrobats and daredevils displaying skills that would make all but the most jaded widen their eyes and let out the occasional gasp.  But it's the packaging that always varies, though you can always expect a threadbare plot (more concerned with mood than story), forgettable songs and a troupe of clowns whose antics are, on occasion, genuinely amusing.