Look, on the whole we'd rather be in Las Vegas. Not to lose our shirts, but to stimulate our minds, because that's where Cirque du Soleil's current hoo-ha show, "Love," is being staged. It's based on the Beatles' music and has the hearty approval of Paul and Ringo (as well of the surviving wives) and from the clips we've seen on TV it looks fab. Or gear. But what we do have in our midst, at Suffolk Downs, is Cirque's "Corteo," the "story" - although what Cirque show is really a story? - of a clown who dreams of his own death and funeral. Which, of course, turns out to be something of a carnival. What a funeral it is. Tom Sawyer never had it so good. There are flying angels in white, trampolining on big beds (every kid's delight/fantasy), a street soccer maneuver and a reference to the New England Revolution, a love story between two little people, nail-biting tightrope walking (even upside down?!), three chanadliers doubling as trapezes ...
   ... and then there are people rolling around in giant rings, girls tossed back and forth by guys high above the stage (the first time our hands got sweaty - their's didn't because of the resin), and dozens of rubber chickens being dropped from on high (don't ask - we don't know. Apparently Corteo the clown hates chicken.) There's more than enough to fill your eyes for more than two hours, and if there's one thing Cirque du Soleil does, it's remove you from the mundane life. Even Suffolk Downs seems far away when you're in the big tent. And say this: These actors-gymnysts-acrobats have the sweetest gig in North America. They have no problem breaking through the fourth wall (do you call it that in a theater-in-the-round?) so don't be surprised if Corteo sidles up next to you if you're on the aisle.
   The music? A Cirque-like barrage of rock, baroque, gypsy and other strains of world music. Bombastic at times, cerebral and soft at others. There's a nice violin played at one point.
   Downside? There was not the jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring feeling we've experienced before; there was a bit too much slapstick and comedy; and it wasn't quite as sexy. It didn't have the feeling of a big Spectacular, bringing a how-did-they-do-that? jolt to the imagination. "Corteo," despite the flying about, is a little more grounded. That said, "Corteo" should lead to a large degree of delight and a flash or two about fantasy: Wouldn't real life be better if it were more Cirque-like and less, oh, war-like?
    Consumer tip: No seat is a bad one, and the rear seats - padded unlike the front seats - offer a more widescreen view of the action and lead to less neck cranage. Tickets: $31.50-$80. Most shows start at 8 p.m., but call to make sure.
Suffolk Downs, off Rte. 1A, E. Boston, Call 800-678-5400 or visit  cirquedusoleil.com.