Written By
NATHALIE PREZEAU

Not too late to ride on the Odysseo wave!

Have you ever seen the National Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker? A few times during the performance, a little dog in the flesh steals the scene by strutting across the stage. From the point of view of the kids, the only thing more impressive than this tiny four-legged star is the horse (which turns out to be two dancers in a very realistic costume). Now, imagine their reaction if they saw dozens of real horses riding in the idyllic worlds of Odysseo, the latest creation from Cavalia.

I’d be hard-pressed to find a stronger symbol of freedom than a beautiful horse running wild, with mane in the wind. When you see twenty of these huge 1000-pound beasts frolicking at liberty all over the stage and stop, of their own accord, to meet their riders, it stirs you inside. Who wouldn’t ache for that kind of relationship with an animal?

 

Odysseo’s magic starts in a forest in the middle of the night. The floor projection creates a ground of fresh moss. Dramatic lighting bathes the trees covering transparent screens, allowing us a glimpse of the imaginary world in the background. A series of equestrian numbers performed in this decor gives us a taste of what horses and riders can do.

See that mountain there?

Then, it’s hard to say exactly how it happens but screens recede, mountains rise under a majestic blue sky and the grounds take the yellow hue of dry fields burned by the sun. And we see something poking out of the horizon: the heads of the horsemen on their ride, slowly emerging from behind a hill. 

As the horses stroll down the slope, it takes a few seconds for our brain to wrap itself around this sight. What seemed like a multimedia projection on a flat screen actually has enough depth to allow room for a hill!

It’s when over twenty of them take over this hill and start to perform in unison in a long carrousel formation that we understand Odysseo’s is indeed the world’s largest big top (over twice as big as Cavalia’s first production).

Odysseo proceeds to maintain our rapture throughout the production, alternating intimate worlds with grandiose panoramas, lovely acrobat numbers with hilarious gymnasts, exhilarating equestrian performances with the relaxing sight of horses rolling on the grass. 

There’s more: a giant carrousel lowering from the ceiling onto the stage, athletes flying on trapezes under a virtual rain, stallions running across a real lake with a spectacular fall projection in the background : All of it wrapped in live music.

And the good news is you can see well from all the seats under the big tent, whatever the cost!

INFORMATION:

Where: Odysseo’s tent is south of Lake Shore Boulevard, east of Parliament (a 5-minute walk from The Distillery).

Parking: You can park near the tent for $20, or park around The Distillery (where it’s cheaper) and walk down Parliament.

When: Odysseo has been extended until July 10. It plays at 8 pm from Tuesday to Saturday, at 3 pm on Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays.

Tickets: Go to www.cavalia.net to buy tickets online. The admission is $29.50 to $44.50 (2-12 years old), $34.50 to $64.60 (13-17 years old), $49.50 to $89.50 (18 years +). Visit their website for information about the Horse Lover or Rendez-vous VIP packages, allowing you to visit the stables afterwards.

Tags: carousel, Cavalia, horses, Nathalie Prezeau, Odysseo Wave, Toronto Fun Places