Why you can’t miss OVO by Cirque du Soleil in London

It’s always bugged me that I’d not yet seen a Cirque du Soleil show, so the return of the much-acclaimed OVO was too good to resist.

The Canadian-based collective, famed for its aerial acrobatics, is back in town with a high-energy reimagining of the insect-themed show that left audiences fluttering with excitement in 2018.

Tickets for its return are flying, so swat some now to avoid missing out.

First impressions…?

The scene is set with a background soundtrack of chirping insects, before bees buzz around the audience. Soon, ants appear and complete an astounding synchronised act, juggling and passing giant slices of kiwi fruit and corn cobs, upside down, using only their feet. It’s all perfectly in time and very, very polished. It’s a clear sign of things to come…

What’s the best act at OVO?

My favourite act is the new high-level aerial net performance. Groups of scarabs gather on three aerial platforms before calmly hurling each other between them, twisting and turning in daring moves. Again, the timing is perfect – otherwise they’d take a fall enough to knock the stuffing out of even the toughest of beetles.

What’s new in Cirque du Soleil’s 2026 version of OVO?

This vibrant restaging features a redesigned stage with bigger props and enhanced lighting compared to the 2018 production.

Be amazed by new acts, including the high-net performance of scarabs and surprisingly colourful fleas, jumping high before dropping to within millimetres of the ground during a Chinese pole routine.

The costumes have also been given a revamp, alongside the musical score, which blends bossa nova, samba and funk.

What’s the most mesmerising thing?

The samba soundtrack quietens, the lights dim and under a UV-lit arena a weevil emerges, glowing in the dark. Soon, multiple illuminated green fireflies (diabolos) appear and the weevil dances with them in a mesmeric juggling sequence. It may be less energetic than other acts, but it offers a welcome contrast to the show’s higher-octane moments.

What left me speechless?

“Out came a spider and sat down beside her,” as the nursery rhyme goes… But far from sitting, one performer emerges from a cloak of eight tarantula-like legs, before contorting themselves into every imaginable position. It’s an act that leaves me totally in awe, wondering how the moves are physically possible.

What is the story of OVO by Cirque du Soleil?

The storyline is based around the discovery of a giant egg (OVO means egg in Portuguese) – well, giant in relation to the insects. It’s a clever way of reminding the audience of the scale of the insect performers and that, for this night only, we’re one of them.

A quirky fly, known as The Voyager, brings the egg back for the other insects to inspect. While no one knows what’s inside, it's nurtured by the colony. Meanwhile, the shy fly attempts to woo a ladybug – leading to a light-hearted romantic subplot. Can he overcome his fear and bag the bug of his dreams?

While it’s not a storyline befitting of Shakespeare (you could say it’s more Shakespeare-wig), it doesn’t need to be – after all, the draw of this enthralling show is the choreography and acrobatics. The storyline and the interplay between The Voyager, The Ladybug and Master Flipo – the leader of the colony who is as colourful as he is eccentric – is a great way of subtly weaving together the acts and providing some audience interaction and some silliness which, at times, was a touch over the top for me but something that kids will love.

How is the view?

My seat in the stalls offered the perfect view, level with the new giant leaf-shaped stage in the centre of the arena. It’s ideal for an up-close view of the action, both on stage and up high.

But, from the upper tiers, you would also have a great view of the performance, being closer to the high-net acrobatics.