Cover Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Kooza’ promises to be a breathtaking performance (Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Kooza’ promises to be a breathtaking performance (Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
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Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza combines stunning acrobatics, live music and cutting-edge engineering. Here’s why this show is a must-see in Hong Kong
Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza, presented by UBS, marks its highly anticipated return to Hong Kong this May after seven years. Running from May 21, 2025 at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, the show is the first stop on its Asia Tour with jaw-dropping acrobatics and a visually stunning and technically ambitious production. Kooza runs for 125 minutes, including a 25-minute intermission. Here are five extraordinary technical feats that make Kooza an unmissable experience:
See also: 9 Hong Kong events in May: Boiler Room’s comeback, Hans Zimmer’s concert and more
The engineering behind the Wheel of Death
Above (Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
(Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
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Weighing 1,600 pounds, the Wheel of Death is a marvel of engineering and precision. Positioned diagonally across the stage, it rotates at high speed, challenging viewers’ perspectives very cleverly. The mechanism is recalibrated for every venue, accounting for variables like humidity and floor stability, ensuring safety as performers execute gravity-defying stunts.
The mathematical precision of the High Wire
Above (Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
(Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
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Kooza’s high-wire act features twin wires suspended at 15 and 25 feet, crisscrossing diagonally. Designed to bear loads of up to 6,600 pounds, even a two-degree tension shift could alter the walking surface. This act is a masterclass in the intricate interplay between structural engineering and artistic performance.
Innovations in Teeterboard technology
Above (Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
(Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
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The Teeterboard act elevates a classic circus element with custom-designed launch mechanisms that allow for greater height and control. Performers use metal stilts up to 30 feet high, supported by advanced impact-absorbing materials that ensure both safety and spectacle.
The spatial dynamics of the Bataclan
The Bataclan, a mobile tower inspired by Hindu culture and Indian jewellery, transforms the stage during the performance. Operating on concealed tracks, it serves as a platform, backdrop and transition device, supporting costume changes and dynamic spatial reconfigurations.
Live music and performance synchronisation
Above (Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
(Photo: courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil)
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Live music takes centre stage in Kooza, with six musicians and two singers performing a score that fuses ’70s funk, orchestral arrangements and Indian music. A sophisticated monitoring system ensures perfect synchronisation between the music and the performers’ physically demanding routines.
Don’t miss its Hong Kong debut from 21 May 2025.
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print, and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs, curating star-studded events and building the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
