Cirque du Soleil has announced the London run for one of its most critically acclaimed touring shows – KURIOS — Cabinet of Curiosities.
Opening on 13 January, audiences are invited to escape reality and step into a world of extraordinary imagination at the iconic Royal Albert Hall for a limited series of performances.
Taking aesthetic inspiration from the Victorian era and 19th-century industrial revolution, KURIOS fittingly arrives in 2023 at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London, the venue where the show truly belongs, with the residency coming to the hall during the venue’s 150th-anniversary celebrations.
The run of KURIOS marks the 26th year that Cirque du Soleil has performed at the renowned venue, having graced the stage over 1,200 times and having sold almost 3.8 million tickets since 1996.
The Royal Albert Hall is the only historic venue worldwide to have installed permanent technology to accommodate Cirque du Soleil’s wondrous performances.
This year the Royal Albert Hall, in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, has installed additional steelwork beneath the stalls to strengthen the venue in specific locations allowing this and all future Cirque du Soleil shows to be bigger and better than ever before.
Work began on the steel installation in January 2022, and the nine-month-long project is expected to be completed this week.
In addition, for the first time, the production of KURIOS at the hall will require the floor to be elevated to accommodate the unusual set design, transforming the venue’s ground level to the eyes of the regular visitor.
KURIOS at the Royal Albert Hall promises to be a circus event like no other. Michel Laprise, Writer and Director of KURIOS, said: “KURIOS was an absolute joy to create.
“Inspired by one of the most creative and forward-thinking periods in time, the second half of the 19th Century, we created it with inventiveness in mind as a way to celebrate life and bring people together more, with the intention that the audience would reconnect with the optimism and the feeling that everything IS possible.
“During the creation period, we were already dreaming of the day when KURIOS would arrive in the iconic setting of the Royal Albert Hall as they are meant for each other. We’re so excited to perform the show’s European Premiere in London!
“The Royal Albert Hall has always been an incredibly special home for Cirque du Soleil in the UK, and we’re proud to be celebrating its 150th anniversary with KURIOS, our Cabinet of Curiosities!”
Craig Hassall, CEO of Royal Albert Hall, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Cirque du Soleil back to its London home, the Royal Albert Hall.
“This long-running partnership has consistently captivated audiences over the last 26 years, and we cannot wait to see the steam-punk-themed production they have in store for us with KURIOS.
“Cirque du Soleil are renowned for creating immersive experiences with their performances, and it is an honour to have them here, marking their European debut of KURIOS in this historic venue.”
A “KURIOS” Experience like no other
Critically acclaimed the world over, KURIOS — Cabinet of curiosities astonishingly revisits the signature Cirque du Soleil style of performance by weaving jaw-dropping acrobatics with a refreshing touch of poetry, artistry and humour.
Featuring never-seen-before acts, KURIOS is a mind-boggling escape from reality, unveiling a festive, steampunk-inspired universe where the unexpected lies at every corner.
In an alternate yet familiar past, KURIOS steps inside the mechanical lab of an inventor, convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams await.
Once the inventor succeeds in unlocking the door to this world of wonders, time comes to a complete stop, and an uplifted cast of otherworldly characters invades his curio cabinet, bringing his makeshift creations to life one by one.
As the visible becomes invisible and perspectives transform, KURIOS bursts into a celebration of the power of the imagination.
Written and directed by Michel Laprise, he joined Cirque du Soleil in 2000, having worked previously in theatre for nine years as an actor, director and artistic director.
Since then, he has co-written and directed the Virtual Reality movie ‘Kurios: Inside The Box’ which won three awards, including the Emmy Daytime award in the Outstanding Interactive Media category, and also wrote and directed Cirque du Soleil’s 40th production, ‘SEP7IMO DIA – No Descansaré’.
Additionally, he has collaborated with pop star Madonna, directing her 2012 MDNA tour – providing artistic direction to her Super Bowl XLVI halftime show – and directing the opening show at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Russia.
Premiered in Montreal in 2014, KURIOS has mesmerised over 4.5 million spectators in 30 cities worldwide, with over 2,000 performances brought to life by its cast of 49 world-class artists.
Watch the official KURIOS London trailer
About Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil has redefined how the world views the circus – from small-town talent to a household name.
Based in Montreal (Qc), the Canadian organisation has become a global leader in live entertainment with world-class immersive and iconic experiences across 6 continents.
Working with artists from 90 countries to bring their creativity to life on stages globally, the company aims to positively impact people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art.
Cirque du Soleil connects with audiences by being genuine, human and inclusive. Over the years, more than 215 million people have been inspired in over 70 different countries.
