The Fire of KA at the MGM Grand
July 5th, 2009 . by Robb Cheuvront
Many times over the years my wife and I have walked on the raised street cross walk over the Las Vegas Strip on our way to the MGM Grand watching the KA promotion on the MGM Jumbo Tron saying to each other, “we’ve got to see that show!”
We finally did last weekend and are we glad. This truly is one of the greatest spectacles put on by Cirque du Soleil.
We will be heading back for more shows like KA this summer as there is some great summer promotions running on Cirque du Soleil tickets.
There is nothing not to like about this show. The music, the dancing, the acrobatics are magnificent. However, I would recommend that you read the plot of the story prior to attending KA. It is a bit like attending an opera. It is best to know the story ahead of time just as it is with a foreign language opera.
You can read about the show on Wikipedia, check out the KA Cirque du Soleil site or make sure you pick up a copy of the program prior to going to your seat before the show.
KA is a story about two twins of a fantasy culture that become separated and go through a series of trials and adventures until they become reunited. Along the way they come to understand the power of fire known as KA. This power can be used for good or evil… to build or destroy.
The twins are brother and sister and the children of the Emperor and Empress. Their society is based loosely on ancient Chinese culture with a blend of many cultures from throughout the world.
The story opens with the twins coming home by ship to a grand celebration of their return. The celebration proceeds with acrobats, musicians and dancers. The celebration comes to a tragic end when the Emperor and Empress are murdered by a band of archers and the royal palace is burned to the ground.
As the palace burns, the twins make their escape. The twins are separated in the escape and the sister twin escapes by boat which sinks.
The sinking of the boat sets up an incredible drowning scene in which the royal’s nurse maid appears to be dropping and drowning in the water. You will think you are watching them perform in water. This scene is that convincing.
The eerie silence of the water is created by blue light and the accompaniment of a cello and piano duet. The Twin sister dives into the water and drags the nursemaid to safety in one of the most incredible acrobatic performances you will ever see in a Cirque du Soleil show.
The action builds with the evil head of the archers, his human bone grinding machine and his constant pursuit of the Twins and their entourage. They avoid capture by climbing cliffs, using a human powered flight machine and other fantastic feats and inventions.
In the end, the twins are reunited and become the leaders of a revolt in which they inspire others to defeat slavery and tyranny.
The show is unique from most other Cirque du Soleil shows that are based on a series of scenes for the purpose of displaying the skill of the performers. KA is a show where the skill and talent of the performers enhance the storyline.
The staging of KA is also quiet unique as it appears to take place floating in the air. There is no stage, but rather a series of rising, lifting and spinning platforms on which the show is performed.
The stage becomes a prop unto itself as it raises vertically to create a great cliff to be climbed or turned into a sailing vessel.
This show is for all ages although it could be a bit frightening for children under twelve.
I’m kicking myself for the putting off seeing this show for so long. This is a “don’t miss” show in Vegas.