Cirque du Soleil OVO Review: A Dazzling Insect Spectacle at Royal Albert Hall
Roll up, roll up – the circus has truly arrived in London with a spectacular transformation. The iconic Royal Albert Hall has been turned into a glittering big top for a two-month residency by the world-renowned French-Canadian troupe, Cirque du Soleil. Their latest offering, OVO, which first premiered in 2009, celebrates the fascinating world of insects in a show that proves far more captivating than its theme might initially suggest.
A Mesmerising Display of Acrobatic Prowess
At its heart, OVO is a breathtaking series of acrobatic feats that showcase the incredible capabilities of the human body. The performance features an array of stunning tricks, including foot juggling, slackwire acts, glow-in-the-dark diablo displays, trampoline wall routines, and of course, spectacular aerial acrobatics. Each act is performed by different groups representing various insect species, all clad in elaborate carnivalesque costumes complete with shell-backs, wings, and antennae, creating a truly otherworldly visual spectacle.
Just like their insect counterparts, the performers – portraying spiders, ants, grasshoppers, and numerous other creatures – demonstrate both delicate grace and astonishing physical robustness. They contort their bodies in ways that appear almost non-human, making it easy for audiences sitting still in the stalls to forget they share the same species as these remarkable acrobats.
Innovative Stage Design and Thrilling New Routines
The insect theme proves particularly inspired for set design, with stage ropes cleverly transformed into intricate webs and climbing apparatus reimagined as towering, magnificent flowers. This visual feast is complemented by an upbeat, Brazilian-inspired soundtrack that infuses the entire production with infectious energy and vibrancy.
A particularly impressive addition to this performance is a new aerial cradle routine performed by the cast's scarabs. Featuring three platforms suspended high above a safety net, separated by a full six meters, acrobats launch themselves through the air in increasingly precarious maneuvers. The genuine sense of jeopardy had the audience gasping audibly during one heart-stopping moment when a performer almost missed their catch, only to be saved by a peer's hand at the very last second.
Where the Show Stumbles Slightly
Interspersed between the breathtaking acts is a somewhat halfhearted narrative thread – a PG-rated romance between a shy fly and an assertive ladybird. Together with Master Flipo, the colony's cranky head bug who emerges from the crowd wielding a giant fly swatter, this trio serves as the show's comic relief. They gabber on stage in the troupe's invented language (sounding like Pingunese to untrained ears) with slapstick setpieces revolving around a mysterious egg – "ovo" meaning egg in Portuguese, presumably representing themes of life, rebirth, or growth.
While this narrative element mostly functions as distraction during set changes rather than providing genuinely affecting storytelling, it's a minor quibble in what remains essentially a traditional circus format. The clowns' antics, while entertaining enough, don't quite reach the same heights as the acrobatic performances.
The Human Body Pushed to Its Limits
Ultimately, OVO explores the fundamental question of how far the human body can be bent, pushed, and contorted before becoming unrecognizable. This concept can sometimes breed audience greed – a constant desire for more spectacular feats. There's an interesting paradox at play: the more skilled performers become, the more effortless their performances appear, potentially hiding the true extent of their abilities. The key for audiences is to appreciate both the extraordinary humanity on display and the very real physical limits these artists navigate.
A Perfect Venue for Spectacular Entertainment
OVO delivers everything audiences have come to expect from Cirque du Soleil – it's kaleidoscopic, tremendously fun, and hugely impressive in its execution. While there are only so many tricks the human body can perform, and only so far physical limits can be pushed, the show delivers exactly what it promises. Staged within the plush, historic surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall, the production feels like a particularly special treat – the perfect opportunity to settle in, switch off from daily concerns, and simply allow oneself to be amazed by human artistry and physical achievement.
Cirque du Soleil's OVO continues its run at the Royal Albert Hall until 1st March 2026, offering London audiences a chance to experience this dazzling insect-themed spectacle for themselves.
