Cavalia’s Odysseo bills itself as “like no other show on earth!” Now, that’s a big claim…but it’s not wrong. If you’re not familiar with Cavalia, you probably will be soon. Like their better-known cousins Cirque de Soleil, they are a Montreal-based entertainment company that combines circus arts, live music, and film with the beauty and vigour of horses. It’s an usual combination that sometimes feels hard to pin down. Is it an athletic competition, a concert, an equestrian exhibition? I’m not sure, and I’m not sure I would even try to classify it. The bigger question is – does it work? And to answer that, I can give you a resounding yes. Whatever else Cavalia’s Odysseo is, it is undeniably full of spectacle, movement, and excitement.
 
The evening begins as we enter the White Big Top, Cavalia’s custom-designed venue. From a distance, the tent looks like a turreted castle straight out of a fairy tale. Inside, a wide stage is filled with a packed sand surface surrounded by trees and vines. The sand is real, the trees are not, but the effect is mysterious and lovely all the same. Stadium seating ensures that no matter where you sit, your view is unimpeded, and it’s surprisingly comfortable. It may seem odd to mention it but trust me, after a two and a half hour show, I was very grateful for those seats. Flamenco guitar was playing softly as we took our seats. I assumed it was recorded, but when the lights went down I could see musicians tucked away in the wings.