Absinthe (in a tent at Caesars Palace Vegas) has been likened to Cirque Du
Soliel --but the likeness is really not there. The show is half crude,
raunhcy humor and half acrobatic type acts. I didn't find the humor very
funny (but some people found it hilarious). I've seen way better insult
humor, and I don't find the words fuck and penis funny for the sake of them
when repeated over and over. Keep in mind I'm a pretty jaded show-goer, and
I've seen all but one real Cirque du Soliel in Vegas, and many similar 2
person acrobatic acts in variety shows. Still the acts were primarily good,
main ones consisting of a 2 man balancing act (seems like this one has to
appear everywhere, even on cruise ships), man and woman aerialists on a swing
(very good and with more than usual body contact), man and woman spinning
skaters (saw similar act recently on Epic's Cirque type show -- more
exciting on a moving ship -- and that show as a whole was waaay better than
Absinthe). Also there was a single spinning woman with bungie sort of ropes,
I thought she was excellent. And a 3 man very good tightrope team - but
they were very close to ground on pretty short rope.
Also there were a couple of extremely tame strippers (going to pasties and
bikini bottom) - not impressive at all, a decent singer (but I couldn't
understand some of her words), and the main man and woman "comedians" doing
insult and penis humor.
Maybe drinking would enhance this show -- couldn't hurt it -- they sell a
lot of booze and come around during the show.
Show might also be helped with more comfortable seating. Front seats had
a bit of padding, but if you are in front you might be the target of some
MC-audience interaction (advice - if a woman, don't volunteer). Cheaper
seats not only are hard wooden chairs, they are also extremely small in width
and depth and pressed close together. Fortunately since I am large, I
asked an usher if it was possible to move to one of the back extra seats, and
they moved me to an odd bathtub like seat with a slight pad. Not great, but
better than the wooden chairs. There are some benches and other seats at
the back, and if you are large, you are advised to opt for the front seats
with padding or to ask to be moved to the odd seats in the back if possible.
As I said, some people seemed to really enjoy the show, but to my mind, you
are better off to spend your money to see a real Cirque Du Soliel show,
such as my #1 pick "O", or #2 "Mystere" or #3 "love". If you want acrobats
and raunch - but raunchiness in better taste -- and better acts (also more
acrobats), go for Zumanity. If you are on the NCL Epic, go to their cirque
show for a really excellent Spiegel Tent experience. If you have children
- don't take them to this one!
Also, Absinthe can go dark during periods of high wind -- we were winded
out last week. There are no refunds, only replacement tickets for another
show.
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