More Than 10 Million Spectators Worldwide: OVO by Cirque du Soleil Premieres in Astana
On June 4, Astana hosted the highly anticipated premiere of OVO by Cirque du Soleil. For the first time, Kazakhstan has become part of the global tour route of one of the company's most celebrated productions, which has already been seen by more than 10 million spectators in nearly 50 countries over its 17-year history.
The premiere performance took place at Barys Arena, drawing thousands of spectators. In Cirque du Soleil's 42-year history, this marks only the company's second visit to Kazakhstan. The return of Cirque du Soleil has become one of the country's most anticipated cultural events of the year.
“I have been a fan of Cirque du Soleil for many years and have followed its productions for a long time. When I learned that the show was coming to Kazakhstan, I immediately knew I couldn't miss such an event — I even changed my plans and postponed a trip to Austria so I could see the performers with my own eyes. We came as a whole family, with our children, because I really wanted to share these emotions with them. Some of the acts seem physically impossible for a human being to perform. After seeing the show, my son even said he wanted to become a gymnast. This is one of those experiences that stays with you for a lifetime — not just a circus, but a true work of art,” said Astana resident Aidana Ibrayeva.
OVO is one of Cirque du Soleil's most famous productions. The word ovo means "egg" in Portuguese. The appearance of a mysterious egg becomes the central event in the life of a fascinating insect world and sparks a love story between its inhabitants.
OVO features unique acrobatic disciplines rarely seen anywhere else in the world. One of the most challenging acts involves a slack wire performance. While traditional circus wire acts are usually performed on a fixed structure, the OVO artist performs on a giant moving leaf, making the tricks significantly more difficult.
Another remarkable act is performed by a Mongolian contortionist who supports her entire body weight using only her teeth while maintaining an extremely demanding contorted position.
A special highlight of the show is a Japanese performer's horizontal diabolo juggling act. Presented in complete darkness with ultraviolet paint effects, it is considered one of the most unusual elements of the production.
Over the course of two hours, audiences also witness an aerial straps duet performed by butterflies, crickets performing breathtaking trampoline wall jumps, and a dynamic aerial cradle act by a group of scarabs, akin to a human trapeze, where flyers are thrown from one platform to the next, six meters apart, along with dozens of other fascinating insect characters.
The production is supported by an international team of more than 100 people representing 25 countries, including Canada, Brazil, France, China, Mongolia, Japan, Australia, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and many others.
A total of 53 artists perform in the show, including Olympians, international champions, national team members, professional acrobats, a live seven-piece band, a vocalist, and three clowns.
Artur Dudov, Cirque du Soleil artist, aerialist, and performer of one of the Butterfly characters, shared:
“Circus arts are far broader than many people imagine. Cirque du Soleil is not only about acrobats and gymnasts — it is also home to jugglers, actors, mime artists, and people with truly unique talents. Just today, during our pre-show gathering, a performer who has been with Cirque du Soleil for 25 years spoke to us. He came from Brazil as a capoeira athlete and later joined the company, going on to master several different disciplines over the years. Stories like his inspire me because they show that even after decades, you can continue to grow, discover new things, and never lose your passion for what you do.”
The touring team also includes technicians, coaches, physiotherapists, costume specialists, administrative staff, dedicated chefs, and dozens of professionals responsible for the show's daily operations.
Shortly before the premiere, Cirque du Soleil performer Dmitry Fedorovsky, who plays the character of the Cricket, shared some of the impressions that the company had already gathered during its time in Kazakhstan:
“Honestly, I’m delighted with Kazakhstan. We received such a warm welcome, and during our stay we had the chance to see many fascinating things — from the city’s wide avenues to its striking modern architecture. Astana left a very positive impression on me. We got to experience the local cuisine as well, including beshbarmak, horse meat steaks, and other traditional dishes. Another memorable discovery was milk tea. I had visited England many times before but had never tried it there. It was in Kazakhstan that I tasted it for the first time, and I absolutely loved it.”
Janie Mallet, Senior Touring Publicist on OVO by Cirque du Soleil, noted that Kazakhstan has become an important stop on the show's global journey.
“Kazakhstan has become the 47th country in OVO’s touring history, and it has been a great honor for us to bring this production to local audiences. After years in the making, seeing - and hearing! - the reactions in the crowd was truly special tonight. Some audience members told me they were moved to tears. Next to me was a family with a young child sat at the edge of their seat with their mouth open through the finale, completely captivated. Those are the moments that become core memories, and they remind us why we do what we do. What a unique night! And we're looking forward to many more! ”
One of OVO's distinguishing features is its updated version. Approximately a year and a half ago, the production underwent a major transformation. The creative team redesigned the stage and scenery, introduced three new acrobatic acts, added new characters and costumes, refreshed the musical score, and updated the clown sequences.
The show was created by world-renowned Brazilian choreographer Deborah Colker. According to company representatives, her long-standing fascination with the world of insects inspired the creation of an entire artistic universe. Today, OVO remains the only Cirque du Soleil production entirely dedicated to this theme.
Olaf Triebel, Artistic Director of Cirque du Soleil, explained that the creation of each show takes several years and involves the work of hundreds of specialists from around the world:
“From the moment a new Cirque du Soleil show is conceived to its premiere, the process typically takes around three years. It begins with the director and creative team developing the concept and storyline, followed by the involvement of lighting designers, set designers, and a composer who creates original music specifically for the production. About a year before the premiere, the casting process begins, and the performers then gather in Montreal for intensive training and rehearsals. It is a large-scale and lengthy undertaking, as every costume, set piece, and creative detail is designed and built from scratch exclusively for that show. Behind every production stands the work of hundreds of people who spend years bringing a truly unique world to life on stage.”
OVO performances in Astana will continue through June 7 at Barys Arena. The show will then travel to Almaty for the first time, running from June 11 to June 14 at Almaty Arena. A total of 14 performances will take place across Kazakhstan, with organizers expecting more than 70,000 spectators.The tour of the world-famous production in Kazakhstan has been organized by Freedom Events and Asia Events.
Freedom Events representative Viktoriya Torgunakova:
“For us, it is especially valuable to see world-class productions of this scale becoming part of Kazakhstan’s cultural life. We believe that events like these create unforgettable experiences, inspire people, and help make Kazakhstan more visible on the global entertainment map.”
Sanam Revaeva, CMO / Marketing Director of Freedom Events:
“Each project of this kind is an opportunity to demonstrate that Kazakhstan is ready to host the world’s largest productions and meet the highest international standards of event organization.”
Organizers note that only a limited number of seats remain available for the performances. Tickets can be purchased via the following links: Astana, Almaty, and www.cirquedusoleil.com/ovo.
Asia Events representative Dmitriy Tyo:
“OVO is a great example of what a modern world-class show can be: spectacular, technologically advanced, and emotionally engaging at the same time. We are delighted that audiences in Kazakhstan have had the opportunity to experience this production in their own country.”
About Cirque du Soleil For more than four decades, Cirque du Soleil has revolutionized live entertainment, creating over 50 original productions that continually push the boundaries of imagination, defy reality, and illuminate the world through art and creativity. Reinventing itself with each new creation, Cirque du Soleil pursues its mission to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the globe. Since its founding in 1984, more than 400 million people have been inspired across 6 continents and 86 countries. Based in Montreal, the company employs more than 4,000 people, including 1,200 artists, from over 80 nationalities. In 2026, Cirque du Soleil will be presenting 17 original resident and touring shows simultaneously worldwide. For more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com.
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