text: Wow!  Let's just say I'm super disappointed!  I've seen this show now five times over the past four or five years.  Of the 5...the past four were mild to great.  They've toned the show down so much and now have less experienced talent than before.  I'm sure there's more than one cast but I've always seen a very talented cast.  Sooo...every time I've seen the show they've changed it more and more.  Pretty much for the worst.  This last time was so unbelievable how bad it was I wanted my money back.  After politely contacting Cirque they do not bother to respond.  So now...the gloves come off!  Wow....Cirque!  You're really something else.  Another big company that doesn't give a rats _ _ _ about our hard earned money!   They take your $168 per seat and give you a show now that's so bad...really take my advise...do not go see it.  You'll be sorry!  I feel bad for the very talented performers mixed with other folks, notice I didn't say other performers, that just stand there and look pretty.  What a disappointment for someone that works so hard and proud to be a part of something so spectacular to just end up having a \"bla\" cast to work with.\n\nLet's talk about the show.  Back...oh...I would say four or five years ago when I saw the first show.  Wow!  I was really on the edge of my seat.  Let's compare the differences from then to now.\n\nFirst...opening sequence.  Before no narration...now there is.  Not needed really.  I have no judgment either way.\n\nSecond...the rotating stage comes out of the \"Void\" where it appeared to be a ship with rowers. This turned into a ritual scene.  This involved multiple people doing acrobats, sword stunts, spear stunts and let's say lots of action and energy.  So much happening you would want to come back and watch again to catch what you missed.  The next three shows pretty much the same.   However, this last show...wow...people just standing on the stage on both sides while one so called performer twirls a stick and occasionally slaps it on the ground.  My head was nodding like you see some folks in church.  I was really really very unhappy with what I saw.  My niece and nephew were like...huh?  What's all the hoopla?  Great music but no action to match.  Something just did not add up here.\n\nThird...the long haired villain, which I've always liked.  He was so much fun even though he was the bad guy.  He was not there this evening but they replaced him with a far less experienced person.  Notice again I did not say performer.  This guy did not even climb on the wall near the battle scene towards the end of the show.  To make matters worse, near the end of the battle scene, the \"emperor\" (guy in yellow shoes) falls in pain due to one of his warriors, one of many dies.  What?  My niece and nephew said the same thing.  What's so important about the regular fighter?  It just didn't have the energy there had it been the villain.  In the past four shows, when the villain is defeated and fallen...the stage rotates with theatrical fog, lights, and music to match.  The emperor comes over to comfort his fallen com-rad as the stage rotates downward into the void.  A scene that stuck with me from the beginning.   This time it just lost it's energy and for my niece and nephew they were confused as to what the point was.\n\nFourth, the jungle scene...in the past the jungle music always began with the scene.  This time...the jungle scene was about over when the jungle music came on.  Later when we were discussing the show my niece and nephew said...oh was that a jungle?  Duh...\n\nCirque...music is really key to a production.  You know that!  \n\nThe jungle scene was followed by the air ballet for lack of a better way to describe.  These two individuals put on a stellar performance.  She's nicely shaped and petite and he's very strong.  Fake long hair.  Oooopppss...I think I'm going bald!  \n\nThe Mexican wheel stuntmen always put on a absolute hair raising performance.  You always hear the audience gasp and a super cheer for them.  Applause to you guys!!!\n\nFifth...the rotating stage.   During the scene where there are supposed arrows hitting the ground.  They simulate this with spikes or stems that come up from the rotating stage floor.  With semi slip shoes and these spikes they used to rotate the stage really fast with the performers moving all over.  This included folks falling into the void.  That was really crazy to watch.  This last time though...wow...they just chase each other and some falling with the stage moving ever so so slow.  When the stage did speed like in the past, everyone just hung on to the spikes and or edge.  Acting like they're trying to keep from falling off.  Really not exciting at all.\n\nI could keep writing but I think I've given Cirque too much of my time and money.  Bottom line is..they have this spectacular stage, theater, and music but the actors are not always up to providing the best performance possible.  Cirque has lowered it's standards, not prices.