Cirque du Soleil’s OVO ( which means egg in Portuguese ) has returned to Montreal, bringing its vibrant exploration of the insect world to the Bell Centre from December 26, 2024, to January 5, 2025.
This two-hour spectacle captures the energy, beauty, and curiosity of life in a miniature kingdom, blending stunning acrobatics, whimsical characters, and live music into a dazzling production by a cast of around 53 cast members.
The Story
At its heart, OVO is a celebration of nature’s tiny wonders. The show takes the audience into an insect colony buzzing with life, where the creatures work, play, fight, and seek love. When a mysterious egg—a symbol of life’s cycles—appears carried in by a bluebottle fly, it piques the curiosity of the colony, sparking a playful and heartfelt narrative that unfolds through a series of skilled performances.
Performance Highlights
From the moment the show begins, the audience is transported into a vibrant, imaginative world through a mix of live music, intricate costumes, and dynamic acrobatics.
Trio Acro: Three insects combine dance, athleticism, and acrobatics to create mesmerizing geometric shapes, evoking the harmony and creativity of insect life.
Cocoon Tissu: A captivating solo contortionist portrays a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, twisting and gliding gracefully on aerial silks.
Creatura: This part-insect, part-spring creature offers a playful and unique choreography, showcasing its quirky movements with humor and charm.
Diabolos: A firefly spins and twirls bobbins in a masterful display of balance and precision, leaving the audience in awe.
La Rosée Orvalho (hand balancing) : A dragonfly artist balances delicately on the stems of a giant plant, combining elegance with feats of strength.
Papillons: A butterfly couple delivers a stunning pas de deux, blending ballet, hand-to-hand acrobatics, and flying into a romantic performance.
The show’s creator, Deborah Colker, originally crafted OVO in 2009 for Cirque’s 25th anniversary. Relaunched in 2022 with new acts and characters, the show continues to innovate.
The Arena Experience
Performing in the Bell Centre brings both opportunities and challenges for OVO. On the one hand, the larger venue allows more people to experience Cirque’s artistry. On the other, the sprawling stadium setting loses some of the intimacy that comes from being under the big top. While the distance might make the acts feel less personal, the production compensates with imaginative video projections and clever lighting that transform the stage into a living, breathing habitat.
A Tale of Two Halves
The pacing of OVO is noticeably different between the two halves of the show. The first half focuses on slower, more solo-driven performances, allowing the audience to appreciate the intricate artistry of individual acts like Cocoon (Tissue) and Diabolos. The second half, however, ramps up the energy with ensemble acts, including the Scarabs (Russian Cradle) who deliver a heart-pounding, synchronized display of flips and aerial stunts. These larger-scale performances bring an electrifying energy that resonates deeply with the audience.
Final Thoughts
Cirque du Soleil’s OVO is a joyful, imaginative exploration of life’s smallest wonders. The show balances moments of quiet beauty with thrilling, high-energy performances, creating a spectacle that appeals to both first-time viewers and longtime Cirque fans. While the arena format lacks some of the charm of the big top, it remains a vibrant and accessible way to experience the magic of Cirque.
For those looking for an even more immersive experience, OVO will return to its original big top format in Toronto from May 1 to June 28, 2025.
Rating: 3.8 / 5
Catch OVO at the Bell Centre until January 5, 2025, or at its upcoming stops in Ottawa (July 2–6, 2025) and Toronto (May 1–June 28, 2025).
Please visit CIRQUE website for more info and showtimes