Horseplay at its best

When Cirque du Soleil emerged, the concept of “a circus without animals” was the hook that grabbed attention.

Now that the concept is no longer novel, the creators of “Cavalia” have invested in the idea of “a cirque with animals” -- horses, to be precise.

The Southland premiere of “Cavalia” in Glendale on Tuesday unveiled a panoramic display of gorgeous horses, lithe human acrobats and different ways in which the two species intersect. Under the artistic direction of Cirque co-founder Normand Latourelle, “Cavalia” might be the equestrian circus that finally clicks.

Two predecessors -- “Cheval,” created by another Cirque founder, Gilles Ste-Croix, and Theatre Zingaro, the more high-toned French import -- visited Costa Mesa in 2002. But “Cheval” never reached Los Angeles County, as originally intended, and went out of business in 2003. Theatre Zingaro accounted for a large share of the losses of the Eclectic Orange Festival.

Both shows retained a single ring, familiar from the Cirque. Most of “Cavalia” looks different.

It takes place under a big top, but the stage is very wide -- 160 feet -- and the entire audience faces the action over a straight line, as opposed to wrapping around the stage on three sides in traditional Cirque style. This breadth allows the horses to gallop at full speed, on their own as well as with riders.

At first it looks as if the stage breadth was achieved at the expense of depth, but elements of the stage then are peeled back. Projections on the enormous expanse of the back of the stage also add dimension.

Some of these projections provide a sense of antiquity, via images of ancient ruins and statues, in contrast to the otherworldly quality of most Cirque shows. But in the second act, the projections light up with more abstract splashes of vivid color and modern human portraits as well as horse imagery.

By the final scene, with images of an autumnal countryside projected at the rear, it’s almost as if we’re in a meadow, romping with the horses.

The choice of that ending is the best demonstration of Latourelle’s aesthetic. We’ve just witnessed an all-stops-out scene that would serve as the grand finale in many a circus, in which trick riders zoom across the stage while acrobats perform above the stage.

But instead of ending on that onslaught of stimulation from all corners, Latourelle shifts into a much more relaxed mode for the final moments at “Cavalia.”

The show’s star “horse whisperer” and equestrian co-director, Frederic Pignon, engages in a scene of blissful play with three beautiful white stallions. Of course, I can’t say what’s really going through the horses’ minds, but the impression is one of an intense bond between horses and man -- the most emotionally charged moment of the show.

It’s the culmination of director Erick Villeneuve’s balancing act throughout the show, in which hard-charging spectacle is often followed by a slower, more stately scene of dressage -- all to the accompaniment of Michel Cusson’s haunting score, performed by a band and singer who are occasionally visible through the back wall.

“Cavalia” isn’t completely free from convention. A ring is briefly brought out for one scene. Acrobats perform atop sets of horses that are moving in circles around the ring. In other words, this scene is similar to the standard circus horse act. It’s well done, but most observers will likely feel they have seen it before. The horses look less distinctive in it.

Another scene hardly involves the horses, focusing instead on the human acrobats. Again, while this act demonstrates striking aerial grace, it’s a little too familiar from previous Cirque shows.

In “Cavalia,” the horseplay’s the thing.

Addendum to animal rights activists: You cheered Cirque because it didn’t use animals in what were deemed as the manipulative ways of other circuses. The “Cavalia” press materials emphasize repeatedly that the horses are not coerced. Perhaps we’d have to ask the horses themselves to know for sure -- but although “Cavalia” has its share of equine stars, Mr. Ed is not one of them.

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‘Cavalia’

Where: Northeast corner of Colorado Street and Central Avenue in Glendale

When: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; this Sunday 1 and 5 p.m.; May 9, 1 p.m.

Ends: May 9

Price: $59-$79. Children younger than 12: $41-$59

Info: (866) 999-8111

Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes