The Best Cirque du Soleil shows

Cirque du Soleil has become the premier circus act around the world. Combining incredible gymnastics, physical ability, sets, stories and everything in between, if you want to experience a show you will never forget, Cirque has one.

With touring and resident shows found around the globe, a few stand out from the crowd. Here are 7 of their best productions, and if you were to see only one Cirque du Soleil show, it should be one of these.

Forever innovating, O, the resident show at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas takes acrobatics to a whole new level. First opened in 1998, O plays twice a day and is viewed by over 7000 people.

The show takes place on, and in, a 1.5 million gallon water tank, with aerial acts, ground acts and water acts. The show is also packed with numerous props such as horses, a giant umbrella, carousel horses, and a massive clown house.

Mystere is the longest-running Cirque du Soleil show and a resident show in Las Vegas. It is held at a custom theatre at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino and first opened on Christmas day in 1993.

Mystere takes viewers on a ride for the senses, with the show comprising everything you know and love from Cirque. There are contortionists, comedians, high-flying acts, acrobatics, and a musical score that will have you glued to your seat from the first until the last minute.

Playing at The Mirage, Las Vegas, Love is a combination of Cirque du Soleil magic and the music of the Beatles, the show takes you on a journey filled with acrobatic and athletic acts, dances and performances, all set to the music of the Beatles.

While the show does have the same incredible human feats, it is certainly more focused on being a musical show as opposed to a circus one. However, the critically-acclaimed production has quickly become of the best on the Cirque du Soleil roster and is a must-see for fans of Cirque and the Beatles alike.

The premier Cirque du Soleil show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Ka tells the story of a young man and a young woman trying to navigate love, conflict, and life’s dualities. Many have described Ka as the “most lavish” production in Western theatre history.

The show combines the typical and fantastic music and light Cirque is known for, with a massive stage that allows for bigger and better acts and stunts. With fourteen acts and almost 100 performers, Ka is one of, if not the best, show Cirque has created.

Totem is a touring show that first premiered in Montreal in 2010. It has since gone on the road and held shows across North America, then headed to Europe before returning to North America. It then returned to Europe and travelled to Oceania and Asia.

Totem tells the story of humanity from our primordial state as creatures in the water, all the way to our aspirations of flight. The show also plays heavily into myths and folk tales surrounding people and our history.

Kurios is another touring show that made its debut in Montreal in 2014. Widely regarded as one of the best shows in the Cirque du Soleil arsenal, it has been praised for breaking the mould that Cirque had created, to begin with.

Dubbed as an exploration of mysteries and the unknown, the show is filled with the weird and wonderful, topped off with the awe-inspiring acts, lighting and music that Cirque is famous for.

Another music and Cirque hybrid involve the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Located at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, One combines the music and incredible production quality of MJ with Cirque du Soleil’s dancing and acrobatic acts.

The show centres around four misfits that go on a journey to discover what made Michael Jackson and his music so admired and loved. The show features a number of Michael Jackson hits and numerous reimagined ones made exclusively for the show.

These are easily the best Cirque du Soleil shows on the circuit right now. If you ever get the chance to see any of them, you should buy a ticket immediately. You will not regret it.

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