Cirque du Soleil 'Totem' in Camden is a big-top romp

If Darwin could juggle . . .

That seems to be the premise behind Cirque du Soleil's show Totem, now playing on the Camden waterfront. I don't know why it's called Totem. The press information said the narrative is about evolution; I actually couldn't find much of a narrative, despite the fact that it was written and directed by the avant-garde French-Canadian actor/director/filmmaker Robert Lepage.

But narrative aside, Cirque du Soleil is always fun in a circusy way - trapeze artists, jugglers, acrobats, clowns - and it's great that it's back in the Big Top, the signature blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau, after several years at Temple University's Liacouras Center.

Best are the Russian Bars, a troupe of 10 strongmen whose exotic costumes and gestures make them look like Chinese warriors as they fly through the air, and Unicycles and Bowls, performed by five Chinese women on very tall unicycles who flip bowls from their feet onto their own and each other's heads.

One frequent setup is the flirty, sexy couple, which requires a very strong man who can do one thing (like roller skate very fast in a circle) and a very little woman who is also very strong and who trusts him, literally, with her life - the Indian Princess (Totem returns often to these indigenous people and their drums) and her Prince, for example, an unlikely pair who emerge from a canoe. On roller skates. The French trapeze artists are the best version of these duos, very daring and very charming.

There are hoop dancers and foot jugglers and all manner of amazing talents: How does anybody do that? is the basic reaction. But most acts go on too long, repeating again and again what we've already admired.

The most impressive aspect is the lighting designed by Etienne Boucher: fascinating projections that looked like water, waves, snow, waterfalls, or a still pool with creatures swimming in it.

Cirque has always been known for exotic and extreme costumes; in Totem there are lots of sparkles and mysterious designs, but they don't seem to have any real meaning - except of course the monkey who is Darwin's pal.

And speaking of Darwin, it turns out he can juggle - inside a cone with lighted balls whirling around him. Who knew?

Through June 30, at Le Grand Chapiteau at Cooper Street and Delaware Avenue, Camden. Tickets: $58-$140. Information: 1-800-450-1480 or www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem.

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