Circus 1903, Southbank Centre review ★★★★☆ by Ifan Llewelyn
Heading to the circus, you have a certain set of expectations. You want a fist full of popcorn, a fizzy drink to sip on and, of course, death-defying acrobatics. Not necessarily in that order. When it comes to circus culture, it’s easy to get excited by the nostalgic fantasy of tailcoats and up-twisted moustaches. That fantasy soon comes crumbling down when you’re sitting through the sad touring circus that has set up camp at your local Morrisons car park. Despite not being your typical setting for erecting a Big Top (calm down, boys), Circus 1903 at the Southbank Centre lives up to that circus fantasy of wise-cracking, quick-talking ringmasters, freak shows and even cruelty-free animal entertainment. It’s truly a tantalising evening of tea-stained acrobatics.
“… like a jolly uncle after a few sherries…”
Taking over the fast expanse of the Royal Festival Hall, we meet our troop of performers as they roll into town. Ringmaster Willy Whipsnade (Champion of Magic‘s David Williamson) brings a welcoming atmosphere from the moment he bumbles out, throwing boxes of popcorn across the auditorium. It takes real moxy for one person to command a venue of this scale on wit alone. Whipsnade does so in his stride. Like a jolly uncle after a few sherries, you feel comfortable in sitting back and watching him go through his stuff. Though you are a little anxious he may single you out at any time.
The evening is split into two halves, one loosely following a setting up the circus story, and the second being the big show they’ve set up for. Each circus act is neatly set up by our MC, ranging from body contortion, aerial acrobatics to some truly baffling foot person juggling. Yes, that’s juggling another human being with one’s feet. Mongolian duo The Remarkable Risleys truly live up to their name.
“… the Significant Object puppets are sure to leave you awe-stricken.”
Then there are the show’s two main stars. Baby African elephant Karanga and his mother Queenie. Though casually skirting why elephants might not have had the best time at the circus back in the day, the Significant Object puppets are sure to leave you awe-stricken. They are playful, majestic and somehow full of personality. You have to keep reminding yourself that you’re not seeing elephants trotting across the hall’s stage.
You may think yourself too old to head to the circus, that it’s just for children. That would be doing yourself out of a truly spectacular evening of thrills and giggles that’s sure to warm you up this winter. But be warned: there will be children in attendance, so any comments made, after a few glasses of wine, about that buff and flexible acrobat might be best kept to yourself.
Circus 1903 is running at the Southbank Centre ’til 5th January. Circus1903.com
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