As the show begins, the spotlight shines – one by one – on the colorful characters that inhabit the fictional city.The Baroques – quite like the Barcelona youth – hit the stage creating a festive atmosphere. The Baron, dressed in black and white stripes with hints of red, takes viewers through the city, re-telling its history. Acrobats fly from Chinese poles – the skyscrapers of the stage – as a performer rides a bicycle through the Saltimbanco park balancing on one arm and playing a guitar. Music from composer René Dupérés accompanies all the action and combines lyrics in Arabic, German, Italian and Swedish—quite like a walk down the Barcelona streets.

Perhaps our city is not filled with multi-colored spandex wearing, über flexible residents, but writer and director, Franco Dragone, got as close as possible to recreating an urban scene. Evoking fear, happiness, loneliness,togetherness and more, Saltimbanco truly is the city— center stage.

December 30th – January 10th

Palau Sant Jordi. Passeig Olímpic. €25-65

www.cirquedusoleil.com