Cirque Dreams: Elysion

“A breathtaking journey through a land of pure imagination and wonder … an extraordinary adventure into a world of fantasy and awe” promises the blurb, adding “the audience is transported to an ethereal garden atmosphere, alive with animated creatures that embody the tranquillity and chaos of nature”.

If you think the description of the show – a “vivid, three-dimensional world is filled with astonishing acrobatics, captivating choreography, and beautiful costumes” – sounds like Cirque du Soleil, you’d be right; although started independently, Cirque Dreams was acquired by Cirque du Soleil’s owners in 2018 and runs as a kind of junior operation. Its shows are still spectacular demonstrations of modern circus arts and high-tech staging (especially lighting), but they tend to be smaller and perhaps less pretentious than the parent company’s productions.

The current show apparently draws inspiration from the concept of Elysium, “a place of perfect happiness and eternal peace” – in Greek mythology it was the paradise where heroes went if the gods had conferred immortality of them. In the Cirque Dreams interpretation with the adapted name it’s rather different, a garden setting “where every creature, from the tiniest insect to the grandest display, contributes to the tapestry of life … The fusion of an immersive production design, other-worldly costume designs, and the unparalleled skill of our performers brings this blissful garden to life”.

The lustre have gone from the ‘new circus’ idea, and it’s unlikely that Elysion will “redefine the boundaries of circus artistry and theatricality” as the press release suggests; but it should still make for a decent evening’s entertainment – especially with tickets starting at a modest AED 75.

There are two shows a day at 3pm and 6.30pm in a purpose built tent in Al Ain Square, right by Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. The upcoming dates:

25 August 3pm and 6.30pm

30 August 3pm and 6.30pm
31 August 3pm and 6.30pm
1 September 3pm and 6.30pm

6 September 3pm and 6.30pm
7 September 3pm and 6.30pm
8 September 3pm and 6.30pm