Rahaf Jambi

RIYADH: Cirque du Soleil showcases its new show “OVO” at Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh from Wednesday.

The show’s performances revolve around insects scared of a strange animal that comes out of a mysterious egg – all played by professional artists. 

Cirque du Soleil has presented seven shows in Saudi Arabia since 2018. 

Arab News spoke to two of the performers, who were excited at performing in Saudi for the first time.

Svetlana Delous said: “This is our first time in the Kingdom and we are always on the road with Cirque du Soleil. We are used to traveling a lot, but we are very excited to visit a new country and meet a new audience.”

Kilian Mongy said of the performers’ colorful dress on stage that it took around “seven to nine months to create one costume, and we consider them as art pieces.” 

The costumes are conceptualized, designed and tested by a creative team in Montreal.

Mongy said: “It’s special material that stretches a lot, and we wash them after every show, so they have to be intact. It’s going to be washed 300 times a year.” 

The new show, which boasts 52 performers and aerial displays accompanied by South American music, has been seen by 7 million people in 26 countries.

The performance takes place in Riyadh five days a week from 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. It ends on Dec. 3.