Review: CIRQUE ÉLOIZE’S iD RELOADED, Wolverhampton Grand - Tour
Photo credit: Caroline Thibault
Cirque Éloize’s iD Reloaded, inspired by their international hit iD, is a pulsating fusion of circus artistry and urban street culture. Seamlessly blending b-boying, breakdance, hip hop, and contemporary dance with traditional circus feats, it offers a refreshingly modern take on the form.
Set in a bustling urban landscape, the stage becomes a meeting ground where strangers shed anonymity and forge identity. Against a vivid backdrop of kaleidoscopic video projections, nine extraordinarily talented performers from the acclaimed Canadian troupe bring this city to life. The hypnotic soundtrack, composed by Jean-Phi Concalves (Beast) and Alex McMahon, provides an irresistible beat that drives the action, under the assured direction and vision of Jeannot Painchaud.
The simple multifunctional scaffold set requires little explanation in setting the scene, while the ingenious use of props throughout adds to the show’s inventiveness. What impressed this reviewer most was the seamlessness of the production. The “ta-da” moments that once felt forced in older circus formats here emerge organically—audiences eagerly anticipate natural pauses to show their appreciation, rather than being prompted to do so.
Highlights include Bryan “Slinky” Boyer’s impeccable b-boying and Lakessia “Kiki” Pierre, whose explosive solo early on—an exhausting display of crumping and other street dance styles—ignite the momentum for the evening. Pierre remains a constant source of energy, carrying the production with charisma and drive.
Not everything is flawless. The pace falters during the setup for the final big set-piece, which unfortunately breaks the show’s momentum. Each transition before had been so cleverly disguised with engaging interludes that this moment felt clunky, especially as the payoff leaned more toward an audience selfie than a spectacle. That said, other moments of audience participation are brilliantly executed. One memorable sequence ses a willing participant invited onstage and told to cover their “crown jewels” while daring stunts unfold dangerously close—equal parts terrifying and hilarious.
One of the most beautiful elements of iD Reloaded is its imperfections. Small fumbles occur, but far from detracting, they heighten the experience. They remind us that this Canadian troupe, for all their skill, are human and fallible—a quality that only intensified the tension in dangerous moments. Though no one wishes to witness an accident, there is a morbid curiosity at play, and these brief slips make the feats feel all the more real.
iD Reloaded is a thrilling trip to the theatre—vibrant, daring, and full of life. It’s a show for the whole family; one that lingers in the memory long after the curtain falls.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Alanna Boden