Review of Cirque Du Soleil's KA

Although summer in Las Vegas this year drained much of the spending reservoir in our trip, it proved to be one of those escapades that is hard to forget. Actually, watching Cirque du Soleil's KA at the MGM Grand was probably the highlight of our trip. This show is a hit among Asian folks because the setting of the story is stitched to a very Oriental theme. Add to this the revolving stage where performers are jostling, hanging, capering, and swooping about in all directions, defying gravity. That's right -- Cirque du Soleil shows are mostly about defying the natural laws of space.

The odd thing is that cameras are forbidden. But the really odd thing is that even though you broke the rule and brought your own camera, you are going to regret what you did. Not because you are going to be yelled at by ushers, (who by the way conform to the show's protocol by wearing medieval costumes and talking like they emerged from Norse mythology photo shoot), but because you are going to miss half the performance if you tried to take pictures or videos. Luckily, no one in our show spoiled the evening with flashing lights.

KA is an interactive spectacle from the very start. If you're sitting on the front rows or the sides of the theater you might get jolted by a very rowdy tribal gang. They run around and perform the scariest stunts while jabbering in a language only their tribe can understand. This is one of the unique elements of KA -- you do not have to understand (and don't even try) the language of the characters -- but you have to keep your eyes glued to every aspect of their movements. The atmosphere and the stage effects are surreal.

The KA stage in itself is a work of wonder. It moves east and west, north and south. It can transform from being a solid battleground to being a snow cliff to being the bottom of the ocean. Tribal enemies throw arrows and fireballs and slice through the stage, but they magically transform into rods where performers in the battle slide around, dive, and jostle without fear of falling. The stage can hang upside down.

KA is like an epic poem. You read through the lines, you immerse yourself into the sights and sounds. Many people may laugh at some parts, especially the life-sized starfish and the centipede, but there are episodes where I watched with my mouth hung open. When the princess met her lover and they did a gorgeous acrobatic stunt (no pun intended!) above the front row audience, I was blown away. I didn't quite get the point of those super talented men galloping in caged wheels like guinea pigs (without harnesses I think!) but I was impressed with this feat as well as the lady marionette twisting her baton so expertly.

Cirque du Soleil's KA in Las Vegas only ran for an hour and a half. I did expect a longer time show, but I was so steeped into the whole act that it felt longer than it really was. I had insisted on watching this show. I am grateful to my husband who has been just as enthralled as I was. You wouldn't question the price of your tickets after you've seen everything. No wonder Las Vegas remains to be one of the greatest places to be in the world. This is where people show off the best of what they have. Cirque du Soleil shows are no exception.