The Canadian circus company, Cirque du Soleil, was founded in 1984. The Montreal-based act is the world's largest contemporary circus company that has entertained more than 378 million people on 6 continents and 86 countries. If you are wondering what 'contemporary circus' is, well, unlike 'traditional circus,' 'contemporary circus' rarely uses animals but relies on music, theatrics, and mechanics to give a memorable experience to their audiences. 

I first learned of Cirque du Soleil in 2011 during a trip to Las Vegas, where they stage shows yearly. We always wished to attend at least one of their shows, which we finally did on 30 September in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We had the pleasure of enjoying 'Bazzar,' an eclectic, creative production that is inspired by the sights, sounds, and colours that one can find in a bazaar. 

Photo: Wara Karim

Once inside the temperature-controlled main tent, one begins to feel the magic of Cirque du Soleil right away. Audience expectations are always very high at any Cirque du Soleil show (they are the world's best after all). You will understand why the expectations are so high as soon as the show begins with dramatic music and the appearance of the Maestro, who is the clown as well as the leader of the troupe.

Photo: Wara Karim

If someone asks me which act I liked most, it will be difficult to answer, for all of them were impeccable and awe-inspiring. The jaw-dropping performances of an acrobatic duo in roller skates and another duo in trapeze left the audiences exclaiming in amazement; they were so smooth and swift in transitioning from one position to another! The artistic bicycle balancing act made the spectators applaud over and over. 

Many of Cirque du Soleil's performers are adept gymnasts, some of them Olympians! In a circus production, I think it is the aerialists who steal the show. Cirque du Soleil's top-notch artists perform dangerous acts in the air with so much fluidity that you can watch them worry-free, although, at the back of your mind, you always know that a tiny mistake can cost a performer his/her life.

Photo: Wara Karim

Eclectic music filled the tent in the entirety of the 125-minute show. There was live as well as prerecorded music. In addition to instrumental music, the euphonious voice of Grande Âme or the singer of Bazzar enchanted the audience members. 

In the darkness of the tent, the lighting effects along with the music created an immersive experience for the spectators; we were instantly transported to a fantasy world, where everything was possible, where joy abounded, and where energetic dance and exuberant music filled everyone's life to the brim. In short, the show was an out-of-this-world theatrical experience.