Disney4me Posted May 28, 2025 Report Posted May 28, 2025 A flying dragon. A soaring stage. The two new theatrical shows at Universal Epic Universe make sure to each offer viewers a thrilling moment to stick with them after they head back out into Orlando’s newest theme park. “The Untrainable Dragon” and “Le Cirque Arcanus” both delight in their use of a wide array of theatrical arts: In addition to the magnificent Toothless the dragon, the “Untrainable” show features singers, drummers, dancers and stunts. The other offers circus arts and puppetry. Both are enhanced with handsome set design, atmospheric lighting and the use of video projections to help set a scene, a trend in theater that is now commonplace even on Broadway. As you would expect in a short theme-park show (“Untrainable” runs about 20 minutes, “Le Cirque,” a few minutes longer) plots are simplistic. Hiccup meets "The Untrainable Dragon" in a stage show at the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk area of Universal Epic Universe on May 20. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)“The Untrainable Dragon,” in the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk section of the park, finds young Vikings Hiccup and Astrid grappling with why a dragon is on a rampage. In “Le Cirque Arcanus,” set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic area, circus employee Gwenlyn discovers magical creatures need her help. Perhaps the shows’ biggest achievement is that each show makes the most of every minute and makes sure the audience is getting what it wants to see: Dragons and fantastic beasts. And despite the technical wizardry involved, the human performers are what give each show its heart and personal connection. There’s something primal about drumming — humans have used the art form for thousands of years to conjure emotion, and it does the same in “Untrainable Dragon.” Another ancient art, dance also is employed well to add activity to the stage. The singers heighten the emotion of the story, which nicely weaves in themes of friendship, perseverance in the face of obstacles and compassion for others. The only drawback, at least in an early viewing: With all that’s going on, including a recorded musical underscore, the sound balance isn’t always ideal to clearly hear the spoken dialogue. A performer creates bubble magic during "Le Cirque Arcanus" at Universal Epic Universe. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)That isn’t an issue in “Le Cirque Arcanus,” which had clear sound, even when live performers interact with a recorded one on a video screen. That would be be Eddie Redmayne, reprising his role as Newt Scamander from the “Fantastic Beasts” movie franchise. He actually gives the weakest performance of the show’s actors, sounding oddly odd of breath after many of his lines. Gwen is appropriately plucky, the villainous ringmaster appropriately slimy and a barker, well, appropriately loud. The specialty circus arts add to the show’s magic, with cube juggling, an aerial act and a visually enchanting bubble act. "The Untrainable Dragon" show at Universal Epic Universe features human and dragon cast members. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)The puppeteering used to animate various beasts is effective and literally gives the creatures their personalities. Yet, even though it has an appealing hero and message about treating animals — and each other — with kindness and respect, “Le Cirque” doesn’t hit the heart in the same way the dragon show does. That’s in part because the “Untrainable Dragon” story involves cute babies, which automatically make the audience feel more sentimental. But it’s also because the circus show’s “happily ever after” ending is told through an illustration on its admittedly striking closing curtain; there is no upbeat song-and-dance finale that sends audience members on their way humming a happy tune. Dramatic lighting enhances "Le Cirque Arcanus" at Universal Epic Universe. (Willie Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)Still, both shows have big signature moments sure to keep audiences buzzing: The exciting descent into the world of Newt’s suitcase and the soaring entrance of Hiccup and Toothless. These new offerings are impressive additions to our lineup of theme-park entertainment. Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment or sign up to receive our weekly emailed Entertainment newsletter. Hiccup flies over the audience on Toothless in "The Untrainable Dragon" show on May 20 at Universal Epic Universe. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)Universal Epic Universe Where: 1001 Epic Blvd. in Orlando When: Open daily, the park generally opens at 9 or 10 a.m. and closes at 9 or 10 p.m. Showtimes vary by day. Cost: Shows are included with park admission, $139-$199 for adults; daily parking is $32 Info: universalorlando.com/epic View the full article Quote
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