A shimmering, ethereal cloud of diaphanous red gossamer dances in the air at Prospera’s command. Then the inhabitants of Amaluna revel themselves in a pageant of peacock colours and lights, rich burnished golds and noble materials. This pageant is Prospera’s gift to Miranda, to mark her passage into womanhood.

As the first few chords of electric guitar ring out, the lights gently rise and wash over a "shimmering, ethereal cloud of diaphanous red gossamer" as it dances in the air at Prospera's command. Prospera, the island's matriarch, comes toward the diaphanous filament as it glides and twirls before us like an expectant flame filled with desire, allowing its fingers to caress her, spill over her, and envelop her with its warmth. Prospera accepts its gifts readily, wrapping the ethereal flame about her as those in her charge – Amazonians, Peacocks, Fairies, and Valkyries – encircle her and move about in a slow ritualistic tribal dance; then come alive as Miranda, Prospera's daughter, joins them. This pageant is Prospera's gift to Miranda, to mark her passage into womanhood. The peacocks strut their stuff, fanning their magnificent feathers for all the world to see; the Amazonians flex their muscles, holding up their spears in defiance ready to attack; the Water Fairies flit about, ready to play; the Valkryes fly in, prepared to defend the island from outsiders, and the Moon Goddess (played by Marie-Michelle Faber) descends from her crescent throne from above, ready to bless the ceremony to come.

The peacock costumes are made up of 14 layers of heat-pleated materials trimmed in leather and stretch metallic fabric, according to materials provided by Cirque. The tails open out to a "fan" of eight feet with hydraulic pistons that compensate for their weight. Made in the same proportion to the performers' bodies as the bird's fans have to theirs, the tails are attached to the artists with belts that hide the mechanisms under embroidered feathers. The skeleton and leaves of the fans are made of the same Fiberglass material used in the manufacture of fishing rods, and screen-printed metallic paper is glued to the leaves to recreate the iridescent look of peacock plumage, which shimmers in the spotlights. Prospera's flame is created with nothing more than strategically placed fans – one built into the center of the stage floor and others placed around it - to create a swirling vortex of wind that keeps the scarf floating without effort (most of the time). It is one of the quietest, but most poignant openings I've seen in a long time and I love it.