Odysseo by Cavalia bills itself as “the best show ever” – and while that kind of claim might be off-putting, in this instance, it’s wholly appropriate.
Odysseo is epic. First, the numbers: 65 horses and 48 artists performing in the largest tent in North America. Then there’s the fact that its textured soundscape, high-tech theatrical effects and gifted performers are reminiscent of Cirque de Soleil shows (which makes sense, given that the company’s founder, Normand Latourelle, was one of the co-founders of Cirque).
But really, this "best show ever" hinges on the horses.
Odysseo’s program notes suggest that there is some kind of narrative (“A world of dreams and fantasies,” the write-up begins), but truthfully, this reviewer has seen the show several times over the last couple of tours, and there doesn’t seem to be a storyline beyond a celebration of the bond between humans, horses and the landscape. And that’s okay. You don’t need a narrative to enjoy this particular journey.
There are dazzling displays of acrobatics, stunt riding, dressage, jumping, Cossack riding, aerial dance and even an impressive floating carousel. The most impactful moments are the ones in which the horses appear to run wild, such as near the end of the nearly three-hour experience, when water suddenly begins to fill the stage. Odysseo’s horses embody freedom, and in this moment, the audience can truly feel it – a surprising feat when you consider that you’re sitting in a tent in a parking lot at the edge of the Olympic Village.
Even within a production that is grand by any definition of the word, there are moments of nuance and restraint. A lone woman (Elise Verdoncq) shares the stage with eight unfettered horses. The performance at that point becomes a conversation of gestures and gentle words between trainer and herd, and is emblematic of the special bond that has existed between the species for millennia.
The Jan. 31 opening-night performance was preceded by a short speech by Latourelle. In it, Latourelle remembered the victims of the Quebec City Grand Mosque shooting (an event that had occurred a mere two days earlier), and informed the audience that Odysseo includes cast and crew from 11 different nationalities, encompassing five religions. “This is one of the things that makes me most proud: Wherever we are, we can be in peace,” he said to applause.
Odysseo is a testament to peace, as well as to art, beauty, horses and human ingenuity. It’s balm for a soul that’s weary with the sorry state of the world. Those are big words, but they’re appropriate for a production that makes a good case for calling itself “the best show ever.”
Odysseo by Cavalia runs under the White Big Top at Olympic Village until March 5. Tickets at Cavalia.com.
