Deni Yang in the “Gazillion Bubble Show”, Photo provided by the company
The Gazillion Bubble Show is aptly named. You know exactly what you’re in for and, boy-oh-boy, does it deliver! Created by the Yang family, it’s been a fixture of the New York entertainment scene since 2007 and has toured internationally. Presented by Mirvish, one touring production is in Toronto for the month of August, showcasing the bubble science and artistry of siblings Deni Yang (August 1 through 15) and Melody Yang (August 16 through September 1).
There are bubbles inside of bubbles, bubbles filled with smoke, bubbles inserted and then removed from other bubbles. Set to pulses of electronic music and dazzling coloured light, they drift across the stage and out over the audience. Huge screen panels flank the stage providing trippy atmospheric visuals, a live feed of the event and some archival footage of the Yang family’s bubble achievements through the years.
A charismatic performer, Yang provides a glimpse into the mechanics of bubble maintenance, explains some of the tools and techniques, yet the magic of it all endures. It’s astonishing to watch him interact with these delicate forms in ways that seem to defy physics; though, in actuality, the spectacle is a supreme mastery of the elements. Despite our awareness of the principles of surface tension, air flow and humidity, the impression is still transcendent. These creations seem like more than membranes of soap and water; they are living orbs with a mind of their own, presenting as jellyfish, erupting volcanoes and celestial bodies.
An element I found especially evocative is the cartoonishly expressive sound effects that punctuate key moments of contact between Yang and the bubbles, supporting the illusion of their heightened weight and solidity. Combined with the coloured lights hitting their iridescent surfaces, the gestalt is very psychedelic.
The show starts off with some fairly intimate, contained bubble action and Yang gradually increases the complexity and scale. Buckle up, folks, because it goes from cozy to colossal. The epic creation mythos is a little hard to track, though it hardly matters; we get swept up in the flashy extravaganza of a full-on laser show.
There is some audience participation as he invites kids up to be put inside of huge bubbles and gifted some bubble-making toys. I found his dynamic with the children a little generic, but the technical demands of the show necessitate this. The interactions are cute and funny enough to maintain the vibe. And I’m sure it’s quite a thrill for the kids.
The finale, a massive deluge of bubbles, is more immersive and overwhelming than you might expect. They just keep coming and coming. My reptile brain did start to kick in as the theatre became a vortex of bubblosity. There’s an exhilarating frisson as they collect on you and fill your field of vision. As they pop, you will most definitely get wet. And slimy. You need to be up for a little ick. It dries rather quickly afterward, but you’ll undoubtedly crave a shower.
This is an impressive showcase of skill and an enchanting experience for the whole family. And at 65 minutes, there’s no lull in the momentum.
Gazillion Bubble Show
running August 1 to September 1, 2024
CAA Theatre (651 Yonge St.)
running time: 65 minutes (no intermission)
Melody Yang in the “Gazillion Bubble Show”, Photo provided by the company