[Herald Review] ‘Quidam’ brings dreamy enchantment to Seoul

Nothing short of jaw dropping, Cirque du Soleil’s performance of “Quidam” is a shining example of how a live production can both defy gravity and Murphy’s Law by making the impossible possible.

Returning to Korea for the first time in eight years, the Franco-Canadian circus extraordinaire introduced itself to the Korean masses for the first time in 2007 and set a new record for performances, ranking No. 1 in ticket sales for more than nine consecutive weeks to become the most-watched live show that year. 

The whimsical “Quidam” takes the audience into a pleasantly welcome unrealistic realm full of wonder, creativity and death-defying aerobatics and stunts that will assuredly keep spectators on the edge of their seats. 

The show centers on the tale of young Zoe, who finds herself bored with nothing to do. In dire need to escape from her distant and aloof parents and drab life, the young girl decides to wander off into a world of fantasy and unforgettable imagination, where characters inspire and perform the most dazzling acts. 

From beautifully statuesque hand-balancing acts, spectacular displays of juggling precision with a diabolo (Chinese yo-yo) to flying through the air while contorting like a pretzel on silk sheets, the undeniably gifted stage performers of “Quidam” pull out everything in their arsenal, forcing everyone to redefine their once preconceived perceptions of what is humanly and physically possible.

Whether it is climbing over each other and stacking up like Lego pieces or somersaulting into the air -- with no regards to feasibility -- and landing on someone’s palm, the performers somehow manage to take to each act so effortlessly it seems as though they are doing something as common as tying their shoes.

The Cirque du Soleil’s production of “Quidam” will be staged at the Jamsil Sports Complex until Nov. 1. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won ($51) to 250,000 won and can be purchased online at www.interpark.com.


By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)