My thoughts on Beatles LOVE
This time last week, Mr. Guycita and I were at The Mirage in Las Vegas, watching the much-hyped extravaganza known as Beatles LOVE. I'd never seen a Cirque du Soleil production before, so I walked in with few preconceptions. What I did know was that (after having listened to the LOVE soundtrack several times) I really liked what George Martin and his son Giles had done with throwaway takes of classic songs.
Unfortunately, I think the show hindered my enjoyment of that music.
Don't get me wrong: The show itself is fabulous. The acrobats are amazing (in fact, I think they forever ruined the circus for me), as are the dancers. The production values and special effects (especially during "Within You Without You" and "Octopus's Garden") are top-notch. And I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. If you are a fan of the stage, you will love Beatles LOVE.
But if you are primarily a fan of the music (as I am), you may be disappointed. The sheer sensory overload makes it impossible to take in everything that's going on, and I was forced to tune out the music in order to absorb what was happening in front of me. Also, the storyline that the Cirque du Soleil folks have concocted around the lyrics can seem like it's stretching them a bit more than it should (for example, "A Day in the Life" becomes the soundtrack to the death of John's mother, and "Come Together" is reimagined as a free love anthem). But that's not to say that none of the interpretations are successful: "Something," with its simple set and beautiful dance, is especially mesmerizing.
What I realized during the show is that the music of The Beatles does not need any visual accompaniment. The best images are those you conjure up in your own mind, which is probably one reason their songs have stood the test of time. My favorite part of the show, in fact, had nothing to do with acrobats or dancers, snazzy props or fancy lights, or anyone's interpretation of the lyrics: It was the footage of the actual Beatles that rolled at the very end. That's what it's all about, man.
That said, Mr. Guycita and I had a great time on our trip, surrounded by more Beatles merchandise and music than we would be in probably any other spot in the world (besides Liverpool itself). As you can see, I was giddy with excitement, and Mr. Guycita played along (what a good sport):
