TORONTO - After beginning its journey back in 2003 in Toronto's Distillery District, Cavalia's Odysseo returned to Toronto's waterfront Tuesday night for a mesmerizing, revamped display of charisma, precision, agility and strength.

And that's just the horses!

The show which is largely equestrian-fuelled with 61 stallions (ranging from 3 to 16 years of age) but with portions of music and acrobatics is a feast for the eyes from start to finish. Situated under the “White Big Top” on Cherry Street, the roughly two-hour event (with a 30-minute intermission) rarely disappoints with a setting that changes from the African desert to lush forests to the frozen North to Arizona canyons in seconds.

Although there is no real storyline or plot to Odysseo, it's quickly forgiven when some of the horses begin to emerge, lazing around the large dirt floor area or the huge sloped hill behind them before ending up at full gallop.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect is how the horses have their choreography and moves down almost to a science, something most pop stars and boy bands would be envious of, hitting their spots and moving ridiculously gracefully. That doesn't include the fact these horses probably sing better than said pop stars.

Odysseo moves from different climates and regions with different cast members appearing, some content to guide the saddle-free horses along while others sit (and sometimes stand) on others who trot in circles and figure eights. And while there was one moment where horse and rider were not on the same wavelength, some of the daring movements such as riding without holding onto the saddle or others riding upside down kept the audience rapt. At other times they use the galloping white and black steeds like a gymnast would on the stationary (and far less beautiful) horse.

When the horses aren't the stars, a team of approximately 10 acrobat use hoops suspending from the ceiling for flips and twirls, the poles of a merry go round to spin and hold themselves at perpendicular angles or long pieces of fabric to keep elevated high over the crowd.

Meanwhile, early first half segments include the horses (and acrobats) jumping over poles like an equestrian event before a troupe of dancers execute a dizzying series of flips and spins, later dancing to African percussion and getting the crowd to sing along before another slew of horses appear from either side of the venue.

One of the prettiest moments involves a lone horse in silhouette with a female rider. Atop the hill with a backdrop of a waterfall, the stallion prances slowly, occasionally extending its front hoof. All the while water begins to pool into the floor area, giving it a lake-like effect with the horse and rider's reflection apparent before trotting through the ankle-deep water.

On the whole Odysseo makes for an engaging equine-exhilarating evening.
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