Show review: 'Dralion' by Cirque du Soleil

Fifty-two world-class acrobats, gymnasts, musicians, singers, and comedic characters. A fusion of traditional Chinese circus and Cirque du Soleil's avant-garde style. Drawing its name from its two main Eastern symbols, the dragon ('East') and the lion ('West'), "Dralion" has thrilled more than eight million people around the world since its premiere in 1999.

“Dralion” is a feast for the senses, mind and spirit. Vivid colors, exquisite costumes, enchanting music and voices, and beautiful dance meet and embrace on stage, under the watchful eyes of five ‘elemental’ masters of ceremony: Azala, the goddess of Air; Gaya, the goddess of Earth; Oceane, the goddess of Water; Yao, the god of Fire; and Little Buddha, the chosen child.  

Cirque productions always feature unparalleled performances. “Dralion” is no exception to this rule. From the bamboo poles and hand balancing, to hoop diving, rope skipping and trampolining, everything is done almost perfectly and with ‘painful’ ease. The result is a truly breathtaking experience.

Overall, “Dralion” embodies what a true "circus" entails: brilliant execution and no real storyline or drama. At times, the comic sequences in between performances feel a little forced — especially during the first half of the show. The second half, which does not rely as much on the clowns to move the action forward, flows more naturally.

A great show!

“Dralion”: Remaining performances in Canada and the United States