The Big Top is coming back to Calgary this summer with an all-new show: ECHO. It’s been two years since Cirque du Soleil visited the city, and this new show promises all the gravity-defying acrobatic acts alongside a story of self-discovery, responsibility, exploration, and acceptance.

The story follows the protagonist, FUTURE, and her dog, EWAI, as they embark on a journey of discovery. “There are a few messages, and it all depends on the interpretation of the audience. What you take out of the experience is based on your life,” says Artistic Director Fabrice Lemire. The journey of FUTURE is a journey of discovery. It’s the exploration of what it is to be part of a team, what it is to grow up and make an impact in society and in the environment. It’s about accepting differences, assuming them, and becoming happy with who you are.

“The show invites you to reflect within yourself. It’s about self-discovery, exploration, and acceptance of whatever comes out,” says Lemire. “It says, ‘This is who I am and it’s good to be me.’”

The aesthetic of this show makes it unique. “ECHO has all the signature, high level acrobatics but this show has a specific aesthetic to the design,” says Lemire. “In the past, we went somewhere that was essentially a land full of colours. Here, we tried to minimalize the colour palate of costumes. There are also no elaborate sceneries in the sets.” Instead, the central element to the show is a giant CUBE that interacts with the performers and becomes a part of the story.

“The CUBE comes in as a completely dense structure with no entry or access. The first contact from FUTURE allows her to remove different pieces. She explores what is on the other side in regard of opportunity. Once she’s inside and able to see it she can interpret it and make it her own.”

In true Cirque fashion, there are only human performers on stage. This means that human performers transform to become the many animal characters in ECHO. Lemire takes a unique approach with these performers. “I watch them, and I tell them to find something that resonates within your personality that could be in line with the character, but also with the behaviour of that species. They don’t become the bird; the bird becomes the performer.” Using this angle, the performers can find within themselves something that resonates on stage.

On a practical level, it takes a lot of practice and repetition for the performers to hone their crafts while wearing elaborate costumes. “They have to tame the equipment,” says Lemire, “The cables and harnesses, the costumes, the headpieces—they have to learn to have a narrow vision through the mask.” It takes a lot of work, but the result is a beautiful display of artistic talent that will leave the audience wanting more.

The backbone of any Cirque du Soleil show is the incredible performances. ECHO has strong and unique acts that will be new to many different audiences. There is hair suspension, vertical ballet, a contortionist, and many more. There are also seven talented musicians who are on stage for the entire two-hour performance. These performers are both instrumentalists and vocalists, and they are a centrepiece of the story, while being in the background.

After two years away, it’s a great time to welcome Cirque du Soleil back to Calgary. See ECHO under the Big Top at Stampede Park from August 30 to October 19, 2025.

 

Kate Barker