All photos courtesy Cirque du Soleil
Legendary circus company brings exciting new performances to the Riviera Maya
The Cirque du Soleil Theatre, located on the Vidanta Riviera Maya property, home to several luxury resorts, offers a remarkable theatrical experience. Surrounded by dense Mayan jungle and positioned above a lagoon, this unique theater blends seamlessly into its natural environment, creating an “oasis within an oasis” effect.
Guests are invited to enter this tranquil world via a sloping wooden walkway which elevates them 36 feet above the ground. As they walk, the lush vegetation and picturesque waterfalls transport them far from the noise and hustle of urban life to a fascinating fantasy world of wit and whimsy.
Architect Arturo Hernandez designed the theater with three principles in mind: respecting the jungle, concealing the structure within the mangroves, and embracing organic, fluid shapes. The design includes a large cenote, one of many naturally occurring sinkholes in the Yucatán Peninsula that were revered by the Maya as sacred pools believed to be gateways to the afterlife. The entire site is crafted to reflect this natural beauty, with water features, coral rocks, and waterfalls enhancing the cenote-like experience.
Architectural Features of Cirque du Soleil JOYA
Construction of JOYÀ adhered to strict environmental regulations, with nothing built above the jungle’s 40-foot tree line, and all materials used were natural. During construction, great care was taken to relocate animals and plants, preserving the local ecosystem, and a raised wooden walkway allows wildlife to pass freely beneath it, minimizing disruption to the environment.
At the end of this walkway, the theater’s structure, resembling a leaning palm tree, blends harmoniously into the landscape. Its open, organic design evokes the feeling of stepping into another cenote, offering guests an immersive experience before the performance begins.
Inside the theater, the design further reflects the connection between nature and knowledge. The space is conceived as a “naturalium,” a library of knowledge inspired by Mexico’s long history of learning, dating back to the Mayan civilization. The set evokes elements of a vivarium and a terrarium, drawing on the natural world for inspiration. Massive books, a time machine, and timeless artifacts blur the boundaries of time, drawing the audience into a world where past and future coalesce.
Subtle Homages to Mexican Culture
Cirque du Soleil JOYA incorporates many subtle nods to Mexican history and culture, and is careful to avoid stereotypes. One notable reference is the migration of monarch butterflies, which journey annually from Canada to Mexico. This natural phenomenon is woven into the show as a symbol of endurance and continuity.
Another allusion is to the asteroid impact in the Yucatán Peninsula that caused the extinction of dinosaurs. This event is mirrored in the narrative, with an asteroid disrupting Zelig’s naturalium and heralding the arrival of his granddaughter, Joyà.
The show also draws on Mexico’s artistic legacy, including references to famed Mexican artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. The vines, flowers, and jungle elements on stage evoke Kahlo’s nature-infused art, while the colorful costumes and murals bring Rivera ’s influence to life. JOYÀ further explores Mexico’s rich cultural heritage with references to masked wrestlers, mariachis, pirates, and the underwater sculptures of Jason deCaires Taylor.
Costume Design and Symbolism
Costume designer James Lavoie created JOYÀ’s costumes to reflect the show’s fluid approach to time, blending elements from the past, present, and future.
Zelig, the aging naturalist, is a composite of historical figures like Charles Darwin and Don Quixote, with a costume that features intricate botanical prints drawn from various time periods. The Masters, Zelig’s assistants, each have costumes that reflect their specialties, such as insect illustrations for the Entomologist and alchemy symbols for the Alchemist.
The costumes are a marvel of both technology and traditional craftsmanship. For example, the hand-balancing artist’s costume was painstakingly sewn to resemble coral, embodying the character’s connection to the sea. Joyà’s costume mixes Victorian influences with futuristic design, while the creatures of the night wear fabrics treated with black silicone to create a dramatic, shiny appearance, as if dipped in darkness.
Musical Score and Atmosphere
The music of JOYA, composed by Bob & Bill, plays a critical role in the show’s storytelling. Drawing from Mexican musical traditions, the score features a mix of acoustic and contemporary sounds, with the trumpet taking center stage.
The melodies range from lively, danceable beats to soothing underwater sounds, perfectly complementing the visual narrative. The music is so engaging that it stays with the audience long after the performance, leaving them humming the tunes as they exit the theater into the peaceful jungle surroundings.
To find out more about this incredible show, visit the website at Cirque du Soleil JOYA.
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Bryan Dearsley is a luxury lifestyles writer, a prolific traveler, and a Co-Founder of the Riley network of luxury lifestyle websites.