It’s officially 2016 and I for one cannot believe it is already February. After such a refreshing and rejuvenating Christmas and New Year’s holiday, it is definitely lovely to be back at LSE and begin the Lent term with my friends and academics whom I have been surrounded by during the Michaelmas term. More importantly, I can’t wait to see what more will be in store for me this term apart from the knowing dissertation which will constantly be hanging on my shoulders until mid-August.

Now, onto the main event. I honestly could not have thought of a BIGGER, BETTER and BOLDER way to kick off this year than one of Cirque du Soleil’s newest touring shows, Amaluna! Live at the beautiful Royal Albert Hall in London, this was one spectacular and dazzling extravaganza my friends and I were so ecstatic to go to. Anyone can tell you that we could not contain our excitement, from the day we got our tickets till the day of the show.

On Thursday, the 4th of February, my friends and I arrived promptly ahead of the 8pm show and one thing I was really excited to see was the stage. As we walked into our stalls to settle down in our seats, there it was; The Cirque du Soleil Amaluna stage. The visual and innovative aesthetics of the stage, costumes and makeup was so dreamy, colourful and unsurprisingly, I was transported into a world of fantasy and fairytale. I could not stress how incredible our seats were especially since we were within such close proximity of the stage. Who knows what could happen within the next 2 hours and 15 minutes?

What I also love about Cirque Du Soleil is that it is not just any regular circus show in a tent. There is always an enthralling story behind it with the troupe embodying all these different characters. For me, the show acts as an escapism filled with storytelling that distracts you from the reality we’re living in for a quick second. Amaluna is a mysterious island ruled by goddesses and after a group of young men get washed up on the isle, a storm is triggered. I for one got completely immersed into this world of Amaluna which follows the epic love story between Queen Prospera’s daughter and a brave young suitor where their love will be truly tested.

All the circus acts were just simply breathtaking, from the aerial straps to the teeterboard to the uneven bars and the cerceau & waterbowl. I remember that because we were sat so close to the stage, I almost had the fear that the artists flying out over the audience on aerial straps suspended from the rotating Carousel were going to fall or even kick our faces. Wanting to grow up and be an acrobat on a trapeze when I was younger, I have definitely given up on that dream now. Just the amount of hours that would have gone into training and preparation for this spectacular flight demonstration, their skills and physical strength to move through 360 degrees at such high velocity was just a sight to die for.  I would not have been able to do that in my wildest dreams.

However, my favourite circus act has got to be the role of the Balance Goddess played by the one and only Lara Jacobs. At first, I was figuring out what she was going to do with the balanced ribs made from palm trees. However, once she began her performance, a hush just descended over the crowd. Accompanied by the dramatic music, the audience held its breath the entire time fearing that the structure was going to topple. It was so gut-wrenching just watching Lara use only her toes to reach and pick up each branch to build and balance a giant sculpture piece by piece. What made it worse was that she then proceeded to balance it on her head and finally, onto the long rib. After, a sensationally loud applause was given to her. It was just unbelievable and jaw dropping to watch her performance.

Just imagining what it takes to just produce and put on a show like this, major kudos to the Tony Award winning director, Diane Paulus and especially, the entire Cirque du Soleil Amaluna troupe! You guys were just outstanding in terms of your showmanship, skills and talent and man, was it such a memorable and unforgettable evening. If you have not seen it yet, please do! I guarantee that it will not disappoint. By the end of the show, your mouths will be wide open and you will be having so many conversations with your family, friends and relatives centering around all these jaw dropping spectacles you have just witnessed.

One more tip: Keep an eye out on these two while you’re in the hall. Their comedic performances will make you fall off your seat and laugh non-stop. What a hilarious duo, they are!

I would also like to take this opportunity for a big shoutout to my friends; Nigina, Tanita, Andrea and Jenna for tagging along with me for this brilliant ride to Cirque du Soleil, a world renowned auteur in the world of performing arts.

Hurry and get your tickets now! Cirque du Soleil Amaluna runs until March 6th, 2016!