Recently, I was fortunate enough to attend a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s “Volta” in San Francisco. I have watched multiple Cirque du Soleil shows in the past, and had high expectations for their latest production. The company is the largest theatrical producer in the world, and their shows are considered groundbreaking due to the lack of animal acts and focus on character-driven performances. They have always been known as being able to put on an amazing display of talent without the cruelty of animal related acts.

Between incredible rope skippers, trampoline artists, and their iconic phenomenal aerialists, this recent performance was not short on artistic ability. However, I did feel that many of the acts did not fit into Cirque du Soleil’s unique style. One recurring character was a roller-blader who, while skilled at her craft, did not necessarily match the grace, elegance, and awe-inspiring acrobatic-related performances that one has come to expect of Cirque du Soleil. Another act centered around a trick biker and dancer. The dancer was not particularly skilled, lacking technique and flexibility.

In addition, the finale performance featured BMX bikers, rather than the typical aerialists. These performers had a different aura than that of the typical circus artist. They fist-pumped, clapped for one another and themselves, and imitated dance trends such as ‘flossing’. While many may praise this type of act as making the circus more appealing to a wider audience, Cirque du Soleil has been incredibly successful in the past with their traditional circus performers and artists. Had I wanted to see a BMX Performance, I would have watched the X Games rather than attend this show.

To that end, the circus also lacked certain acts that have come to be iconic for this company. There were no contortionists throughout; the closest thing to it was the hair suspension aerialist. While impressive in her own right, she followed a consistent theme of a lack of flexibility throughout the show. The roller-blader’s leg extension was cringe-worthy, as was that of the aerialists.

While the show was still a spectacle much superior to a typical circus performance, it did not live up to my expectations of Cirque du Soleil.