Cirque du Soleil explores world of imagination at Suffolk Downs

“Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities” a unique experience filled with bizarre, beautiful, and out-of-this-world creatures

The Seeker (middle) -- seen here along with Klara (right) and the Siamese Twins -- leads the audience through the extraordinary world of Cirque du Soleils Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities, playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.

Raider Times photo / Martin Girard/Cirque du Soleil

The Seeker (middle) — seen here along with Klara (right) and the Siamese Twins — leads the audience through the extraordinary world of Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities,” playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.

Dominika Bondaryk, Raider Times staff

    Cirque du Soleil is taking crowds on a magical ride into the world of imagination with “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities.”

    The show opened May 26, 2016, under the Big Top — 62 feet high, 168 feet in diameter — at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, and will run until July 10.

   Cirque du Soleil’s audience goes along with a Seeker, who is looking for insight, imagination, and new and bigger ideas. By closing his eyes, he steps into a world of bizarre, beautiful, and out-of-this-world creatures. Filled with humor, acrobatics, technique, and structure, “Kurios” has become the spark of stepping out of comfort zones and seriously “thinking outside the box.”

Contortion is one of the many extraordinary acts in Cirque du Soleil's "Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities," playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.
Raider Times photo / Martin Girard/Cirque du Soleil
Contortion is one of the many extraordinary acts in Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities,” playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.

 

    Each time the Seeker imagines a new idea or curiosity, the scene, props, and mood of the stage immediately change. The audience meets dancers, a ringmaster, acrobats, a strongman, sea-like creatures, Siamese twins, dinner guests, and much more.

    Although each act is different, they do not feel separated from one another. “Kurios” is so deep inside the minds of its audience that it does not feel absurd to go from watching an acrobat ride a bicycle in the air to a man holding himself upside down with only one hand.

    “Kurios” is an incredibly unique show. No act is like the previous one — ranging in properties, and style. The setup of the stage, lighting, costumes, cues, and ways to attract the viewer’s eye are what really put the show together. In one moment, the Seeker encounters some man fish running by. In the next moment, a trampoline comes down from the ceiling.

Nico, Mr. Microcosmos, and Klara (left to right) are three of the fascinating characters met during Cirque du Soleil's "Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities," playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.
Raider Times photo / Martin Girard/Cirque du Soleil
Nico, Mr. Microcosmos, and Klara (left to right) are three of the fascinating characters met during Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities,” playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.

     When comparing “Kurios” to other Cirque du Soleil shows, such as “Toruk: The First Flight” (which debuted in Worcester in December), this one is more like an actual circus. There is a story linking the performers, but the show is more structured with specific placements of the acts, as well as a wider variety in styles.

   “Kurios” is more advanced in keeping the audience’s attention because every moment is something new. Every occurrence, distraction, and act is put together smoothly to keep the viewers attention at all times.

    Unlike any show before, “Kurios” takes the concept of one’s imagination and twists and turns it into all possibilities. Following the Seeker through his journey, audience members go on a journey of their own through not only the Seeker’s widening world of thoughts and ideas, but also their own.

Upside Down World is one of the many extraordinary acts in Cirque du Soleil's "Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities," playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.
Raider Times photo / Martin Girard/Cirque du Soleil
Upside Down World is one of the many extraordinary acts in Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities,” playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.

    The show is approximately 2.5 hours in length, with a 25-minute intermission. It is suitable for ages 10 and up. It reaches audiences of all ages, but older audiences will understand it better.

   “Kurios” stuns every individual sitting in the audience (seating approximately 2,600 guests) with its unique and different concept, intriguing costumes, professional acts, and incredible performance.

    If you want to step into your own imagination and learn how to see with your eyes closed, make your way to Suffolk Downs and witness the unimaginable. “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities” will take you on a journey like never before and will make you want to run away with the circus yourself.

(For more information about “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities” or to buy tickets, go to the Cirque du Soleil homepage at https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/kurios.)

Mr. Microcosmos (top) and Mini Lili are two of the characters featured in Cirque du Soleil's "Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities," playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.
Raider Times photo / Martin Girard/Cirque du Soleil
Mr. Microcosmos (top) and Mini Lili are two of the characters featured in Cirque du Soleil’s “Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities,” playing through July 10, 2016, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.

–May 29, 2016–