Cirque du Soleil’s OVO made a spectacular return to Toronto for its 15th anniversary with a vibrant opening night performance that lit up the iconic Pavilion tent, thrilling audiences with its joyful celebration of life beneath our feet. OVO —meaning “egg” in Portuguese – is a family-friendly production invites guests into the whimsical and electrifying world of an insect colony, where acrobatics, live music, and stunning visuals merge into an unforgettable theatrical experience. From crickets leaping up towering tramp-o-walls to ants juggling fruit (and each other) with their feet, the performance is a nonstop display of physical prowess and precision.
Set Design
- The immersive and breathtaking set, designed by Gringo Cardia, mimics the structures of insect nests with a curved, organic layout that’s both forest and fantasy. The show’s central feature, a towering climbing wall adorned with massive shifting leaves, transforms seamlessly to support the performers’ gravity-defying feats.
Costumes
- Costume designer Liz Vandal, who has long been fascinated by insects, brings the creatures to life through futuristic, armour-inspired ensembles. With intricate pleats, lacy wings, and bold textures evoking shells and antennae, each costume becomes a moving piece of art. Vandal’s designs manage to balance realism with whimsy, reflecting the insects’ forms, taking inspiration from haute couture and Renaissance fashion.
Music
- OVO pulses with Brazilian energy. Composer Berna Ceppas fuses samba, bossa nova, funk, and electro with live insect sound samples to create a living, breathing soundtrack. Performed live by a seven-piece band, the score adapts dynamically to the performers’ movements in real time—bringing additional life to the magical world on stage.
Acts
- Highlights of the evening included the elegance of aerial butterflies in a mid-air dance, a dragonfly’s balletic balance among twisted stalks, and the suspenseful slackwire act where a spider treads a rocking leaf in heart-stopping defiance of gravity. Each act brings a unique story to the stage, wrapped in humour, beauty, and a deep sense of wonder.
Whether you’re a longtime Cirque fan or discovering it for the first time, OVO is a must-see. It’s a kaleidoscopic reminder that even the smallest creatures can spark the greatest sense of awe.
Cirque du Soleil’s OVO is performing in Toronto from May 1st to June 28th. Don’t miss your chance to step into this surreal and spectacular world!
Tickets: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/canada/toronto/shows
Address: 2150 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto, ON M8V 4V8
Instagram:/ovo.cirquedusoleil
Facebook: /ovo
Photos by Nick Lee and Janey Tso
