Must See: Cirque Du Soleil TOTEM

Performers bound only by the neck revolve on rollerskates during a breathtaking act in Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM at the Royal Albert Hall

Cirque du Soleil is a spectacle like no other.

Year after year the troup of phenomenal acrobats and artistes bring their unique brand of circustry and theatre to London for what is easily for Belle the most eagerly anticipated January night.

Originally composed of 20 street performers in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now the largest Entertainment Group in the world. Each January sees a show premiere at The Royal Albert Hall and this year’s production is Totem – a jaw dropping production during which you’ll have to remind yourself to breathe more than once as you sit agog, in awe of the death-defying acrobatics taking place on stage.

Seated in the second row from the stage, Belle had the privilege of seeing the whole show from the best seats in the house at the historic venue.

Unicyclists flinging dishes with their feet is just one highlight of Cirque du Soleil TOTEM — Defying gravity and nature – TOTEM’s performers lead the way in modern circus theatre

Totem’s theme is the evolution of humanity from its primordial, amphibian state toward the aspiration of flight, taking inspiration from many of humanity’s founding myths. We see lycra-clad creatures catapult through the air, apes bound weightlessly across the stage, incredible unicycling artists fling dishes to another’s head – with their feet! – and two acrobats revolve on rollerskates, bound together by ropes attached to their necks.

To see Cirque du Soleil is to believe the impossible. Contortionists and acrobats perform side by side to create some of the most visually stunning performances on the planet today.

Cirque du Soleil TOTEM cast defy gravity and nature as they present the spectacular show — For 2 1/2 hours Belle barely drew a breath as we watched, open mouthed, the spectacle before us

Last Wednesday’s premiere was presented in association with the charity Sentabale. Founded in 2006, Sentebale helps the most vulnerable children in Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi – the victims of extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic – get the support, tools and education they need to lead long, healthy and productive lives. Patrons of Sentabale The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among a host of stars to attend the glittering premiere.

Tickets are on sale now, and for a truly unforgettable experience a collection of premium and VIP experiences are also available. Tickets can be purchased through the Cirque du Soleil website or www.royalalberthall.com or 020 7589 8212. In support of Sentebale, donations can be made at sentebalenights.org/cirquedusoleil

Emily Cleary

After almost a decade chasing ambulances, and celebrities, for Fleet Street's finest, Emily has taken it down a gear and settled for a (slightly!) slower pace of life in the suburbs. With a love of cheese and fine wine, Emily is more likely to be found chasing her toddlers round Kew Gardens than sipping champagne at a showbiz launch nowadays, or grabbing an hour out of her hectic freelancer's life to chill out in a spa while hubby holds the babies. If only!

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