The Moscow State Circus

Malvern Theatres, Festival Theatre - Wednesday, March 5

 

I'VE been threatening to run off and join the circus for years and seeing the Moscow State Circus in awe-inspiring action has made that desire even stronger.

Having not been to a circus of any kind for years I was keen to see what they offer now, especially as this merry troupe were giving their mesmerising display in the delicate and ornate surroundings of the Festival Theatre.

They certainly didn't disappoint during a near two-hour show that packed something for everyone.

There was plenty of slapstick from superstar clowns Pavlik and Klava to keep the younger members of the audience giggling and much more to keep the rest of us entertained.

Such was the high standard of the acts it is hard to select a particular highlight that stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

But it definitely did remind me of my slightly misplaced childhood ambition of becoming a stuntman, which only falls down on a lack of circus skills.

A trio of rollerskaters spinning at breakneck speeds on a platform with a diameter of just two metres was a heart-in-the-mouth moment, while the aerial sail and airborne dancing were gracious and gorgeous.

The hand balancing act came with a heavy dose of 'how-did-he-do-that?' contortionism, the vertical pole jugglers defied gravity with impeccable accuracy and the Russian Swing flew and flipped its crew to rapturous applause.

After marvelling at this must-see show I am more than happy to leave the daredevil acts to the professionals because they make it look so easy with wider than wide smiles on their faces.