No less astonishing and amazing in its performing artistry as it is in its production splendor, the French-Canadian Cirque du Soleil continues its dedication to the animal-less circus. It's latest extravaganza "Varekai" is being performed under a huge tent at Randall's Island Park, where spectators are immediately transported to a strange and enchanting world. Atmospherics, settings and costume design concepts and special effects are as important and essential to this troupe as the highly unusual acts.

But your full enjoyment of the experience will also depend on your ability to be swept away by the preponderance of purely esthetic conceits. As the lights dim, a vision of a dense forest of over 300 trees (some actually swaying to support climbers) catches our attention. Fabulously costumed creepy crawlers begin to inhabit the 42-foot playing area, as other feathered and winged creatures appear on catwalks and lookouts. Your patience may be tried by the ever so slowly embracing atmosphere (I believe it took 15 minutes before the first circus act appeared), and tested by the inability of two of the show's clownish characters, in the guise of "Guide" (Rodrigue Proteau) and a "Skywalker" (Gordon White), to provide a kind of non-narrative continuity.

There is, in truth, a real void to be filled in the clowning department, made apparent as the show progressed by the intrusive, protracted and clumsy clowning of Claudio Carneiro and Mooky Cornish. There is a slender story, however, that threads through the show that is rather endearing. It concerns the plight of Icarus (Anton Chelnokov), who after his ill-fated flight and fall from the heavens and the loss of his enormous white wings becomes a captive of the curious creatures. He becomes enamoured of Olga (Olga Pikheinko), a lovely creature who contorts sensually on canes. Chelnokov's agility is defined by some complex aerial dives and contortions within the net that holds him captive. You could call this Icarus' visit to a strange planet, as the various creatures appear to take part in the festivities that will end with the freeing of Icarus and the wedding of the lovers.

 In red and gold bodysuits, the Rampin and Steven Brothers along with other acrobats are catapulted into the air by human jugglers in a fast and furious "Icarian Games." I enjoyed the twirling of ropes with metal meteors attached to the ends performed by three young Chinese boys named He Bin, Li Siguang, and Yang. Helen Ball, Cinthia Beranek, Raquel Karro, Susanna Defraia Scalas, Zoey Tedstill, and Stella Umeh performed their serpentine-like gyrations on a trapeze with sensual grace. Some frenzied music accompanied a "Georgian Dance" performed with vigor by the agile dancers.

A sliding friendly surface allowed the company to simulate skating in one lovely number. But for thrills it was the muscular Andrew and Kevin Atherton, who wore head gear like a pair of Aztec warriors, that took our breath away as they flew over our heads in synchronized flying suspended by wrist straps. Octavio Alegria had the audience in his hands with his speed juggling of bowling pins, soccer balls, hats and ping pong balls, the latter spewing from his mouth. But the piece de resistance is a spectacular event in which the acrobats are hurled into space crisscrossing each other either landing on shoulders or canvas slides.

As is the tradition, the music by Vilaine Corradi is notable for its bizarre originality. There is an eyeful of fantastical colorful costumes by Eiko Ishioka that alone is worth the price of admission. Is it the best of all the editions? No. But if you have yet to experience the Cirque du Soleil, you should take this opportunity to escape the turbulent world we are in and transport yourself to their more imaginative and magical world.

Varekai
Randall's Island Park
For tickets (adults $75 - $95; children $52.50 - $62.50)

call 1 – 800 – 678 – 5440 or cirquedusoleil.com