Under The Big Top: Cavalia’s Odysseo

There are fewer things in the world as breathtaking as a wild horse in full gallop, mane in the wind and muscles strong.

Cavalia’s Odysseo, the Montreal-based company’s second show, is a celebration of humans throughout history, with horses right there by their side — all 67 of them, in this case. Horse lovers will be delighted in the 11 breeds showcased here, from Arabians and Appaloosas to Spanish Purebreds, Lusitanos and Oldenburgs.

From the moment the silhouetted curtain lifted on Odysseo’s elaborate high-tech set, everyone was transported through a narrative of eras and landscapes; the desert, Easter Island and glaciers among them.

Performers became horse whisperers, gently commanding the creatures to run, gather around, execute uniform formations and, in one of the final scenes, majestically prance in one spot before breaking into gallop through a small lake of water (which magically fills the ring in minutes).

Aerialists take breaths away with their graceful body contortions high above the ground twisted in white sheets, and acrobats show brute strength and speed with consecutive flips that turn into raucous African-style dance sequences engaging the audience, as a live orchestra with vocalist Anna-Laura Edmiston accompanies the many journeys.

Every now and then, one horse would break from the crowd, feisty personality ablaze, and we were reminded, once more, that these beautiful beings were created to run free.

Then, ever go gently, he or she was called back into the fold by one of the humans, and it was in those raw unplanned moments that Odysseo captured the connection between man and creature, so apparent and deep it has lasted the ages.

Odysseo runs to January 19, 2014, at the the Big White Top in the Olympic Village. Tickets range from $29.50 to $139.50 and can be purchased here.