Mystère by Cirque du Soleil

The first permanent Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas, at Treasure Island since 1993: acrobatics, strength acts and clowns in a theater built for it.

Mystère opened at Treasure Island in 1993 and was the first permanent Cirque du Soleil production in Las Vegas. It helped turn the city into the capital of Cirque shows, and it is still running more than three decades later. The show is more theatrical and more traditional in feel than some of the later productions, with a focus on acrobatic skill, aerial work and a good deal of humor, and fans of Cirque often say it is the one that most resembles the company's circus roots.

The production is wordless and made up of a series of scenes rather than a single story. Performers use a huge stage, aerial straps, the Chinese pole, a high-flying trampoline-like fast track, and a giant bungee-style apparatus that sends acrobats soaring above the audience. Between acts the clowns play with the crowd, and a large comic character known to regulars as the giant baby wanders the aisles. Audience members are sometimes drawn into the fun, though it is gentle and never embarrassing.

The theater is purpose-built and fairly intimate for a Strip production, which is a big part of its appeal. Almost every seat has a decent view, and the stage extends into the room, so the front sections feel close to the action. Regulars often choose a mid-theater seat for the best sightlines. Because the show leans on physical performance and music rather than spectacle effects, it holds up well even if you have seen other Cirque shows.

Treasure Island is on the north-central Strip, across from The Venetian and close to the Fashion Show mall. There is a walkway across the boulevard, and a short ride on the Strip bus or by rideshare from the center Strip. The theater is inside the resort, a short walk from the lobby, so allow 10 to 15 minutes to find your seat if you are arriving from the car park. The resort has restaurants and bars, so it is easy to eat before the show.

The show runs about 90 minutes and usually plays on most days of the week, with a couple of dark days. There is typically an early and late performance on show nights, which makes it easy to fit around dinner. Check the calendar for your date, and look at the age guidance if you are traveling with children, because younger children are generally not admitted.

Mystère is a good fit for visitors who like classic acrobatics, for families with older children, and for anyone who wants to see the production that started it all. It often costs less than some of the bigger Strip productions, so it also suits travelers who want a quality night out without spending the most.

To get the most from the night, pick the earlier performance if you want a relaxed dinner afterwards, or the later one if you would rather eat first. Seating is arranged so most sections work well, and the middle blocks give a balanced view of the high-flying acts above the stage. Dress is casual. If you are visiting with a group, book together and arrive early so you can sit side by side, and take a few minutes beforehand to see the resort's public areas, which make a pleasant stop in their own right.