Matsuri - Stunning Magic And Acrobatics From Japan At Imperial Palace Vegas

17 March 2010

When it comes to athleticism and acrobatics, Cirque du Soleil has pretty much had Las Vegas in a stranglehold for decades now. However, other similar shows still manage to show up occasionally and prove that Cirque doesn’t have a monopoly on the stereotypical “afternoon” show in Sin City. On its third run, Matsuri is a great alternative to Cirque.

Matsuri is on its third go-round simply because the first two were far too watered down and cheesy for people’s tastes. Matsuri, meaning “festival” in Japanese, was based loosely on Japan’s obstacle course television shows that displayed far more humor than skill. The revamped version of Matsuri features something entirely different. 

Now, instead of tango competitions and sporadic jumping around to carnival music, Matsuri features a lot of legitimate acrobatics instead of aerobics, and they manage to pull off some great athletic feats with the 18-man Japanese roster. The music has also changed to show more classical Japanese influence.

Overall, the show is calmer, bigger and more reputable these days. The new venue is also a great improvement. Matsuri is now an ongoing show at the Imperial Theatre at Imperial Palace. Basically, what you’re seeing are specialty acts performed by Japanese athletes who manage to transport guests to Japan through music and performance art.

Some of the acts are truly amazing, while some are more aimed at visual stimulation through lighting effects. The human jump rope act and the amazing hand stand on a stack of bricks while they’re being busted out one by one are just a couple of examples of what you’ll see.

There are also acts like a hula hoop showdown, of sorts, with a large wheel used in place of the hoop, and a great act featuring floor gymnastics where you would swear there was a trampoline on stage.

Parts of the show do seem to be taken from the Cirque du Soleil playbook, however. A masked magician with a white bird providing the comic relief is eerily similar to some Cirque productions, and the magic portions of the show are certainly predictable.

The entire show, while tame compared to previous versions, still operates at a frenetic pace. There’s really no time to take in the last act before the next one is right in front of your face. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing depends, obviously, on your personal tastes and if you like the “feats of strength” types of shows.

On a cultural level, this unique look at Japan is something very original and will definitely keep you intrigued if you’re a fan of the culture. It’s also a family-friendly show, so taking children to witness the magic and acrobatics is actually encouraged.

Ticket prices range from around 40 dollars for children all the way up to 70 dollars for VIP seating. It’s a little on the pricy side, but the hour-long-plus show is entertaining and something that will stand out in your memory.

Tags: japan, acrobatics, matsuri, festival, human jump rope, hula hoop, trampoline,
Posted In: Las Vegas, Las Vegas Shows,

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