Prepare to enter a world of wonder when Cirque du Soleil brings Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities to London in January 2027.
This extraordinary production combines daring acrobatics, astonishing contortion and breathtaking stunts. Meanwhile, its distinctive steampunk aesthetic creates a spectacular Victorian-inspired fantasy.
The show will take centre stage at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, promising an imaginative theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
The Story Behind Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities
What if a limitless universe existed beyond the boundaries of our minds?
That intriguing question lies at the heart of Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities. Inspired by the Victorian era and the Industrial Revolution, the production explores imagination, invention and the extraordinary possibilities of the unseen world.
At its centre stands the Seeker, an eccentric inventor with a remarkable collection of curiosities. He believes an invisible world exists beyond our everyday reality, filled with extraordinary ideas and impossible dreams.
Soon, a collection of otherworldly characters enters his makeshift mechanical universe. One by one, they spring to life before his eyes, transforming his world into a playground of surreal discoveries.
Through humour, poetry and spectacular circus artistry, the story celebrates the power of curiosity. Ultimately, it invites audiences to open their minds and embrace the brilliance of their imaginations.
With Kurios, seeing is disbelieving. Expect unexpected surprises, extraordinary performances and a show designed to delight audiences of all ages.
Meet the Characters of Kurios
Cirque du Soleil productions feature eccentric characters who bring their imaginative worlds to life. Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities introduces a particularly colourful cast.
- The Seeker: An imaginative inventor whose extraordinary ideas drive the story.
- Mr. Microsmos: A serious authority figure representing technological progress.
- Mini Lili: A diminutive character who embodies Mr. Microsmos’s unconscious mind.
- Nico the Accordion Man: A shy, sensitive handyman with a special place in the mechanical world.
- Klara, the Telegraph of the Invisible: A hoop-skirted receiver of mysterious alpha waves.
- The Kurios Winch and Plunger: Two dysfunctional creatures who assist the Seeker.
- The Curiosistanians: Inhabitants of the imaginary land of Curiosistan, who enter the Seeker’s world and ignite his wildest imaginings.
Together, these characters create a surreal universe where invention, humour and circus performance collide.
Cirque du Soleil: From Street Entertainment to Global Success
Cirque du Soleil has become one of the world’s leading contemporary circus producers. Its productions combine daring acrobatics, inventive staging, elaborate costumes and compelling storytelling.
The company’s origins date back to 1979, when professional fire-breather Guy Laliberté organised a summer fair. Fellow performer Gilles Ste-Croix attracted attention by walking more than 56 miles on stilts.
As public interest grew, Laliberté, Ste-Croix and fellow organiser Daniel Gauthier secured financial support to develop their ambitions.
Cirque du Soleil officially emerged in 1984. Its debut production, Le Grand Tour du Cirque du Soleil, premiered on 16 June that year. The show drew inspiration from Jacques Cartier’s discovery of Canada.
Since then, the company has expanded from a local production into an international entertainment phenomenon. Its shows have reached more than 180 million people across over 450 cities on six continents.
Today, Cirque du Soleil continues to push the boundaries of circus arts, combining physical skill with imaginative theatrical design.
Kurios at London’s Royal Albert Hall
For more than two decades, Cirque du Soleil has brought spectacular productions to London’s Royal Albert Hall. The venue’s grand interior provides an impressive setting for the company’s ambitious performances.
For Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities, the production team creates a distinctive steampunk world inspired by Victorian engineering and industrial machinery.
Two imposing pillars serve as giant cabinets, helping establish the setting for the Seeker’s extraordinary inventions. The structures incorporate recycled junkyard components, pipes and tubes to create an intricate mechanical aesthetic.
A gigantic, steampunk-inspired mechanical hand adds another striking feature to the staging. Together, these elaborate set pieces transform the Royal Albert Hall into a fantastical world of invention and discovery.
With its imaginative characters, inventive design and world-class circus skills, Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities promises a memorable London theatrical experience in January 2027.