Dralions and Acrobats and Clowns, Oh My!

Like all their entertainments, the circus part of Cirque du Soleil’s “Dralion” at the Irvine Spectrum Center is very much like a small traveling European circus, without pomposity and without animals--except for the title beast.

The dralions are cuddly creatures, part dragon, part lion, looking very much like Chinese foo dogs and descended from those two guys under a horse’s hide in old-time burlesque. They frolic and cavort among the company like fuzzy pets.

As always, the focus is on the glittery show that frames the circus acts. It’s just as enticing and plush as Cirque fans expect, and under Guy Caron’s flamboyant, glamorous direction it becomes a seamless evening, with each act blending into the next as the large company swirls about the stage.

The music, by Violaine Corradi, is a fusion of styles from around the world, and while it’s no louder than any rock concert, it infuses itself into the consciousness and binds the sounds to the sights on stage. The eclectic costume design by Francois Barbeau is also a fusion of styles and images that perfectly matches the score.

Although the international company of 54 boasts performers from many areas, the bulk of this evening highlights a group of 35 Chinese acrobats, and it is a very young group indeed. They perform most of the “circus acts,” from the teeterboard to the exciting hoop-diving to an equally fascinating skipping rope routine that you shouldn’t try at home.

Some of the acts are more specialized and individualistic, such as that by Ukraine’s Viktor Kee, whose sensuous, intricate and stylish juggling would be cheered by the master, W.C. Fields. And very young Peng Rui’s hand-balancing act is an astoundingly disciplined display of the power of concentration.

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Of course, no circus would be complete without its clowns, and Cirque’s are always nearly as surrealistic as the production itself. From the show’s earliest days there is Les Voila!, that inimitable comic duo, made up of Johnny Filion and Soizick Hebert. They get more laughs out of a bullhorn and four gossamer handkerchiefs than should be allowed. And there’s Joe de Paul, whose straight-faced double takes are priceless.

The world of Cirque du Soleil is always a dream world, and this is a marvelously pleasant one. Its youth and obvious passion for its craft lingers in memory.

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“Dralion,” Cirque du Soleil, Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine. Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 8 p.m.; Thursdays-Fridays, 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 1 and 5 p.m. Ends Jan. 23. $23.75-$55. (800) 678-5440. Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes.

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A Cirque du Soleil production. Directed by Guy Caron. Original music: Violaine Corradi. Choreography: Julie Lachance. Scenic design: Stephane Roy. Lighting design: Michel Beaulieu. Costume design: Francois Barbeau. Sound design: Guy Desrochers. Clown Act design: Michel Dallaire.